Lee Enfield magazines

[jclayton]

A man came into my shop a couple of days ago with a number 4. mk1* and three mags. None of the mags would feed properly, although they all functioned perfectly in a number 3 rifle. And his rifle feeds OK with a mag from one of my No. 4 rifles.
I was not aware that there was so much difference in mags for the No. 3 and the No. 4 They look identical.
Is there any way to modify his mags so they will work?

 

[Why not?]

I have made a No 1 mag work in a No 4 rifle by squeezing the sides in on the mag. Trial and error, but I have done it, and the mag still feeds with complete reliability.

Have never tried the other way around, No 4 in No 1.

The best way to fix his mags, however, is to sell them and buy the proper mags for his No 4.

Ted

 

[bondjames80]

I had a mag given to me and I tried in in my #4 and it wouldn't seat. I noticed that above the catch on the mag there is some kind of raised guide rail. On my #4 there is no groove for the rail to go into so I ground the rail off and it works perfectly. Hope it helps.

 

[sunray]

They're likely No. 1 mags. A No. 1 mag has two locking lugs on the back. A No. 4 has only one. Yes, you can grind off the lower lug on a No. 1 mag and it'll fit in a No. 4. However, No. 1 mags are fewer and farther between.