Magazine for LE No.5?

Canuck Bob

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New to milisurp but finding spare magazines may be an issue these days. Is there a Canadian source?

What is a good used one worth?

Does anyone make new replacement in 5 and 10 shot sizes?
 
Marstar, 35$.

From what I've heard the 5 shot mags came form the States and aren't being brought in anymore, but that's just gunshow info, so---grain of salt.:)
 
It's the same magazine as the No.4, prices seem to range up to $80 :)eek:) but anything over $40 you should be pretty desperate not to look harder.

S.African made K-Mag new production five round and ten round magazines are listed on the website of Bits Of Pieces which is in B.C.
 
Ten rounds was the standard military capacity. If you have an original or restored rifle, this is what you should have. Most 5-round mags are cut-down military mags, some are commercial production, NONE are correct for the rifle.

The Lee-Enfield Rifle Number 5, generally termed the "Jungle Carbine" generally is seen with the same magazine as the Number 4. They are about $35 right now and they ARE available. There actually IS a proper Number 5 magazine, but these are rarely seen. They look the same as a Number 4 magazine (single rib on the back) but they also have two formed lugs, each about half an inch in height and an eighth of an inch in width, halfway between the bottom of the magazine rib and the bottom of the magazine, one on each side of the central magazine axis, evenly spaced. When the carbine is fitted with the special lightweight triggerguard, this magazine assures proper feeding. So many parts got changed around that these are quite scarce these days. No matter, the Number 4 magazine was approved for the Number 5 and generally accepted as original..... and they are available.

BTW, you only need one magazine for your rifle. They were issed with only one magazine because it is actually much faster to reload the magazine from chargers (mistaenly called "stripper clips") than it is to change magazines. Chargers are available usually for about a buck and are very hady little things to have. If you get a sticky one, you can smooth the feed lips with a bit of Crocus cloth and you're away.

Hope this helps.
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I thought a spare might be in order just in case of a mishap and a lost mag. Also my mag needs some work. It does not feed properly from the right side of the column. It is nice to know that it can be replaced if it resists repair.

The 5 capacity is for field carry if possible. The little rifle carries so nice with the hand wrapped around the empty mag well area. If I ever bump into a No.5 mag I'll be sure to pick it up but it seems remote. Thanks for the description.
 
Mag not feeding properly from the right side: likely the problem is that the little tab at the front (right-column feed lip, actually) is bent too far down. You can open it out a bit with pliers. Do it just a bit at a time until the rifle feeds right.

The problem arose because the magazine was off the rifle and got damaged. In military service, the magazine was removed ONLY for careful cleaning, then replaced immediately. Loading was done with Chargers.

The loading drill with Chargers was very simple: place the first Charger into the Charger Guide, sweep the rounds into the Magazine with a single, solid sweeping motion, remove the Charger, replace with the second Charger, sweep those 5 into the Magazine and close the bolt sharply. The second Charger flies off across the landscape and hides in the grass, waiting for somebody to pick it up about 70 years from now and write something on the Internet to find out what it is! Meanwhile, you`re still looking for the thing!

LOL!

Have fun.
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Thanks smellie,

I played around and the problem is the front tab. It seems to be not bent enough. The bullet slides out to the mag center when the last 1 or 2 rounds are in the mag. Oddly the mag feeds when loaded up a bit. I'll keep cycling it a bit before the pliers come out.
 
Where you are matters.
"...5 capacity is for field carry..." Except for some Provincial hunting regs, Lee-Enfields are exempt by name from the silly mag capacity law.
Epp's is listing No. 4 mags at $45 each. Listed under 'Firearms Parts' on their site.
No. 4 mags turn up at gun shows from time to time. Occasionally, mag chargers do too.
"...pliers come out..." Use the pliers. The mag lips won't fix themselves. Needle nosed work well. And just a wee bit at a time.
"...mag feeds when loaded up a bit..." There's more pressure on the spring. As daft as that sounds.
"...Marstar, $35..." Sold out and have been for months, if not longer.
 
Thanks sunray,

I just like the way an unscoped rifle hand carries at the balance point. The 10 shot mag is in the way. It is really just a peculiarity of mine. I pulled a great 2.5X Leupold off my 444 because I hated the way the scope interfered with hand carry.

I'll contact Epps this week. I might as well get one they won't get any cheaper or easier to find I suspect. Some careful work on the mag has solved the problem. Bend a tiny bit,test, bend and so on worked great, thanks. I used the side of a needle nose and bent in a circular motion. Does this make me a milsurp gunsmith, lol!
 
Where you are matters.
"...5 capacity is for field carry..." Except for some Provincial hunting regs, Lee-Enfields are exempt by name from the silly mag capacity law.
Epp's is listing No. 4 mags at $45 each. Listed under 'Firearms Parts' on their site.
No. 4 mags turn up at gun shows from time to time. Occasionally, mag chargers do too.
"...pliers come out..." Use the pliers. The mag lips won't fix themselves. Needle nosed work well. And just a wee bit at a time.
"...mag feeds when loaded up a bit..." There's more pressure on the spring. As daft as that sounds.
"...Marstar, $35..." Sold out and have been for months, if not longer.

P&S militaria has No. 4 and SMLE mags at $35
 
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