modding a lee enfield

msloan

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As I have indicated in other recent posts, I have a No4 mk 1/3 Enfield.
Unfortunately, while in apparently decent mechanical shape, it was "sprterized" by Parker Hale. It is uncomfortable to shoot, so I'd like to do the following:

1:Find a good monte carlo stock for it.
2: find a good scope mount for it.
3: reduce the trigger pull, which I find excessive. ( without changing the existing design, if possible)

Any comments or tips appreciated. (as always!)
 
Re. trigger pull: it can be done, but if it's really that excessive, the trigger may be rubbing on the forend. Now even by lightening the pull(s), you are not going to end up with a 3 once pull!

The best read about this type of stuff can be downloaded from the Milsurps.com website; thanks to Ed Norton, this 1931 "Instructions for Armourers" pretty much has it all: http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=307-Instructions-for-Armourers-1931-(Part-2-Small-Arms)

On page 12, it explains how to set the double pull and modify the weight of the pull off. Careful with this last one, it's easy to go overboard and scrap a perfectly good cocking piece.

Lou
 
You can look at Marstar for the synthetic stocks which are very durable and reasonably priced. As to the scope mounts, there's lots of information in the gunsmithing forum. I have pics of the one I made if you're interested. If you're mechanically handy, or you have a good friend who is, they're not hard to fabricate. Mine is a drill and tap mount, so I don't know if you wish a "no-machine" mount or if you want to go the same route as I did. Either way, lots of luck on the project.
 
First, do you understand what you are doing?

Monte Carlo stock makes NO difference as to perceived recoil, although it does cost money. There are SIX different butts for the Number 4 Rifle (Bantam, Short, Normal, Long, Extra Long, Extra Extra Long) and one of them is bound to fit you. A properly-FITTING rifle is far more important than a PRETTY rifle.

You are putting out a bullet which is 5 times as heavy as a .22 bullet and you are doing at it twice the speed, therefore 4x the KE/grain. NOTHING you can do will stop it from recoiling like what it is: a battle rifle. I have a lightweight .22 which actually kicks (Stevens Little Scout 14-1/2, 1907) and the only way I can stop it is not to shoot it. It's mathematical and physical law: Newton's Third Law of Motion. What you CAN do is go to 150-grain loadings and put on a buttstock that fits you, then learn to hold it correctly.

I doubt that Parker-Hale would send a rifle out the door with a bad trigger. The "drag" trigger with the double pull and the letoff around 4 to 6 pounds was regarded as a SAFETY FEATURE of the Lee-Enfield rifle, so be careful what you are doing. Quite enough "accidental discharges" from too-light triggers already.

Best scope mount for a Number 4 is the S&K Insta-Mount. It costs money but it is solid. Pay for the mount and rings and it costs you about the same as a drill-and-tap job and a set of bases and rings and the good part is that you haven't wrecked your rifle by drilling holes in the thing. You can assemble the mount in about 10 minutes and you can remove it in the same length of time, harming nothing..... and it is the most SOLID mount made. They stand a little high, but likely you are going to want to put on a big, modern scope anyway, so it will be right down your alley. I have one on my target Number 4, along with a honking great Commie scope and it works fine, shoots better than I do. Mount is FINE, though. If you're trying to save money, get a GAIRLOCHIAN no-gunsmithing mount for the rifle; made by a fellow here on CGN and half the price of the S&K although some need a little fitting. Also SOLID, which is what you need.

For GAWD'S sake, DON'T cut the bayonet lugs off: this will cut the value of the rifle by a full HALF and render it impossible to restore without a full shop and expensive tooling and expensive (and scarce) parts. If you must have a "sporter", why not just buy a sporter? Lots of them around, already wrecked permanently. Almost anybody here can lay hands on a good one in 15 minutes and you'll have what you want without wrecking another. Think about it.
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As I have indicated in other recent posts, I have a No4 mk 1/3 Enfield.
Unfortunately, while in apparently decent mechanical shape, it was "sprterized" by Parker Hale. It is uncomfortable to shoot, so I'd like to do the following:

1:Find a good monte carlo stock for it.
2: find a good scope mount for it.
3: reduce the trigger pull, which I find excessive. ( without changing the existing design, if possible)

Any comments or tips appreciated. (as always!)

You're new here, right?

Parker Hale sporters are actually desirable by others so please, sell it to someone who can appreciate it and get an already destroyed bubba sporter to further molest.

I hope I'm not coming across as a ####, its just that bubba's make my blood boil. We all have our thing. Plus I could take all the time in the world to explain to you why you shouldn't touch your Parker Hale over a beer but the internet is what we got instead. I will add a an unrelated "smiley" to church up my post a bit. :pirate:
 
.303 sporter

"For GAWD'S sake, DON'T cut the bayonet lugs off: this will cut the value of the rifle by a full HALF and render it impossible to restore without a full shop and expensive tooling and expensive (and scarce) parts. If you must have a "sporter", why not just buy a sporter? Lots of them around, already wrecked permanently. Almost anybody here can lay hands on a good one in 15 minutes and you'll have what you want without wrecking another. Think about it."

X10!!!!

This cannot be over-stressed!
 
Most Parker Hales came with an aftermarket MC stock, and a pretty good one to boot. Also, all the No 4 Mk1's that I've seen are already drilled and tapped for a scope mount, and have had the barrel cut down and a PH ramp sight installed. Are you sure you have a Parker Hale sporter?
 
Ok, a response to all fo the above. AND THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS!!!
Am I SURE it is a Parker Hale? Well, I bought it 40 years ago, and I'm fairly sure that is what it was. As I recall, I bought it from Canadian Tire. (those were the days!)
Bayonet lugs - already gone - and no, I did not do it.
Trigger pull. I have not tried to measure it, but it seems stiff TO MY TASTE. I have fired many other rifles, shotguns, and pistols, and this action is, as far as I am concerned, stiff.
The replacement stock is really uncomfortable. I does not fit me at all.
Recoil - I know it kicks like a mule - and the brass butt plate does not help.
And yes, I am new here.
And yes, if I thought someone was interested I'd sell or trade it, as long as I was not trying to mail a rifle. (the powers that be seem to be getting a tad fussy for my taste....)
 
For a Monte Carlo style butt-stock, do a Google search for 'Boyd's' stocks, they'll make one new for about $50 and they ship to Canada.

For recoil, just look for a gel type slip-on recoil pad.

For mounts, check Brownells. I've heard good things about the S&K mounts.

As for the trigger pull, read the Armourer's manual posted earlier... thoroughly. Don't do anything until you've checked to make sure nothing is interfering with the trigger, and if nothing is, that you have the proper tools and understand what you're doing. If that doesn't please you, there are after-market adjustable triggers for the Lee Enfield by CanWest and Huber Concepts, priced between $80 and $130 per unit. Check Google.

Best of luck!
 
And yes, if I thought someone was interested I'd sell or trade it, as long as I was not trying to mail a rifle. (the powers that be seem to be getting a tad fussy for my taste....)

fwiw, it's 100% legal for you to mail a rifle in Canada.
 
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