Should I have it checked?

M

MackDaddy

Guest
I just received a Lee Enfield No. 1 Mark III in .303 British yesterday, the rifle was made in 1917. It has a synthetic stock and is well oiled, the action works very nicely. Should I have a gunsmith examine it before I go firing these huge .303 British rounds? A .22 LR wound be something else but these rounds have a lot of power / pressure...
 
If you are at all concerned, and it sounds like you are, you should take it to a gunsmith and have the headspace checked. Some Enfields have excessive headspace either from wear or someone changing the bolt head with one of improper size.
 
Take it to a gunsmith. It's cheap insurance and gives you "peace of mind" also. Besides the gun is 90 years old. I'm sure it's in good shape, but 90 years is a fairly long time.
 
I think I'll take it to a gunsmith just in case, I'd hate to have the chamber exploed on me...
 
Unless I had a good reason I probably wouldn't. However you ARE worried, and you'll probably never have piece of mind if you don't so go for it.
 
Yours takes the huge .303s too. Mine only takes the little ones, damn!
Sounds like a visit to a smith would put your mind at ease. Headspace can vary greatly on these because of the reason mentioned. There are a lot of SMLE rifles around of this age still working great everyday. I don't think age alone is a big factor, of course condition and how it's been treated are. Have fun with that one. Is it your first CF rifle?
 
..................or do what i do. I grab the bastard, chamber a round and shoot it from the hip:D Repeat 4 more times. If all body parts are intact, sight in and go hunting.:D
 
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