Rebarreling Lee Enfield

[digitalblue]

Hey guys, I bought a sporterized No4 Mk1 a couple months back with the intent to restore it. Unfortunately, when it was bubba'd, they cut the barrel 1/4" in front of the sight block so this barrel won't be usable for a proper restoration.

What kind of problems/issues should I expect when installing a new barrel(headspace, indexing, etc)?

Also, would anyone have a source for unmolested barrels? Both Elwood Epps and Marstar haven't stocked barrels for a long time.

 

[bearhunter]

Go to a gunshow and look for a donor rifle that has had the receiver bubbaed but the barrel left alone. $75 will usually bring a bunch of other usable parts home and if you're really lucky, you might end up with a really decent butt stock to use on another build or for trade.

 

[tiriaq]

A few comments -
Debarrelling a No. 4 can be an adventure. The barrels can be in tight. A good barrel vise and a wrench that fits the receiver are important.
No. 4 barrels are basically indexed. Screw in, then torque to index. They can use more otrque than most sporting rifles.
Headspace is adjusted by changing boltheads.

 

[Ganderite]

If you really want to restore (maybe you already have the stock and bits?) buy another sporter with a good barrel. The one you have is and now always be a sporter.

If I had your sporter, I would cut off another 3" of barre and install a new front sight and make it a real handy sporter.

 

[kevwat]

I agree with Ganderite on this one, better to find another one to rebuild. There are many out there that are in very good restorable condition for really good prices, just stay away from the EE when looking as the prices are getting ridiculously stupid.