Lee Enfield cleaning

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WesternWannaBe

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Hello.
I just bought a Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.1 and I was woundering how to clean it. I have a universal cleaning kit, would that be ok?
Also is there any special way to clean it?
I know this may seem like a dumb question but I just want to be sure.
Thanks in advance.
 
Clean it like any other rifle. There are many different ways to clean, I typically use a cleaning rod with a patch soaked in solvent first (one pass to many depending on level of fouling) followed by a dry patch when clean, followed by a patch of light oil. I typically use a little solvent to clean the chamber, bolt face and any other area that has been subject to shot residue. Follow up with a light coat of oil on the moving parts and you should be good to go. The Enfield rifle is pretty basic, you shouldnt have any problems.
 
ArtyMan said:
Clean it like any other rifle. There are many different ways to clean, I typically use a cleaning rod with a patch soaked in solvent first (one pass to many depending on level of fouling) followed by a dry patch when clean, followed by a patch of light oil. I typically use a little solvent to clean the chamber, bolt face and any other area that has been subject to shot residue. Follow up with a light coat of oil on the moving parts and you should be good to go. The Enfield rifle is pretty basic, you shouldnt have any problems.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks
 
It wouldn't hurt to examine the muzzle and assess the amount of copper fouling. Give this a read. I wrote this short article a while back - it may be useful to you (or not). http://riflechair.########.com/2010/07/managing-copper-fouling.html

I did not identify in the article that boiling water also has some very special applications in scrubbing a bore clean. Some folks remove the metal from the wood before they do this but I don't because I have the right funnel for this. Even after using solvents you might be suprized what comes out and discolours your water. Put a dry patch down the bore, wait for it to dry and then apply some oil for storage.

I recommend not using resin coated or impregnanted cleaning rods. Get a one piece steel or graphite rod and use a brass muzzle guide.

One last thing. Don't use copper brushed when using amonia based solvents. They remove copper from your bore and do your brushes in.

RC
 
WesternWannaBe said:
Hello.
I just bought a Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.1 and I was woundering how to clean it. I have a universal cleaning kit, would that be ok?
Also is there any special way to clean it?
I know this may seem like a dumb question but I just want to be sure.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Since you don't know the past cleaning habits of previous owners,(some never cleaned rifles- I've seen my share of them) pouring a kettle or 2 of boiling water down the bore from the chamber down is a very good idea, followed by cleaning with solvents, brushes and patches till clean. Corrosive salts linger and corrode the bore unless cleaned out thoroughly.
You have to do this every time and quickly after shooting if using milsurp ammo. Treat all milsurp ammo as corrosive.

If using new factory ammo, you have more leeway.

Always remove the bolt and clean from the breech, take care of the crown area, you don't want to wear or damage it.
 
I use a .30 cal generic cleaning kit for my no.5.. I never shoot corrosive ammo either.
The other posts are right on for the actual cleaning part of it.
 
Riflechair said:
It wouldn't hurt to examine the muzzle and assess the amount of copper fouling. Give this a read. I wrote this short article a while back - it may be useful to you (or not). http://riflechair.########.com/2010/07/managing-copper-fouling.html

I did not identify in the article that boiling water also has some very special applications in scrubbing a bore clean. Some folks remove the metal from the wood before they do this but I don't because I have the right funnel for this. Even after using solvents you might be suprized what comes out and discolours your water. Put a dry patch down the bore, wait for it to dry and then apply some oil for storage.

I recommend not using resin coated or impregnanted cleaning rods. Get a one piece steel or graphite rod and use a brass muzzle guide.

One last thing. Don't use copper brushed when using amonia based solvents. They remove copper from your bore and do your brushes in.

RC
Click to expand...

Butch's Boreshine is another good product for copper removal. I find that it is better than Sweets 7.62.
 
WesternWannaBe said:
Hello.
I just bought a Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.1 and I was woundering how to clean it.
Click to expand...

Perhaps download a complete set of manuals for the Lee Enfield, which includes operating and armourer's maintenance instructions.

The manuals may be found in the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25


2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3314

Complete Set includes:

- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Data Summary
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Parts Identification List
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Operating Instructions
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Equipment Description
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Maintenance Instructions


1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3322

Complete Set includes:

- 1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Operating Instructions
- 1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Maintenance Instructions

Note: The difference between the 1991 set of No.4 Manuals and 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals, is that the 1991 manual contains armourer's information on how to properly "bed" the No.4 rifle, whereas the newer 2002 manual does not.


Also, there's an excellent video series by "JollyGreenSlugg" in The Screening Roomhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46

Comparing the Lee Enfield No.4 Mk1, No.4 Mk1* & No.4 Mk2 Rifleshttp://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=2250

ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkIII* Rifle "Stripping & Assembling" Tutorialhttp://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=2202


Hope this helps... :)

Regards,
Doug
 
Certainly if you use surplus corrosive primned military ammo the boiling water is a given.

I just wonder why those Canadian armourers funnels are not around more. Use mine every time I shoot milsurp. They also work for ANY breechloading rifle.
 
John Sukey said:
Certainly if you use surplus corrosive primned military ammo the boiling water is a given.

I just wonder why those Canadian armourers funnels are not around more. Use mine every time I shoot milsurp. They also work for ANY breechloading rifle.
Click to expand...

John Denner had a bunch of them...not sure if they still do. I've used mine many times and would hate to be without it.
 
I use boiling water (I also have an original armourer's funnel), or Windex will work in a pinch. Anything water based will do...
I find the best thing for removing fouling and copper deposits is WipeOut foaming bore cleaner. Easy to use too-shoot it down the bore and let it sit overnight-your first few patches will come out bright purple.(copper)
 
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