No. 4 rifle extractor spring installation......
On my last trip to my favorite gunsmith, I was offered a "junker-possible project" British No.4 barreled action. Now, at some point a 16" barrel was installed and the muzzle turned down to accept a P-14 sight. The rear sight was one of the types with a screw elevation, so that was a nice addition. Doesn't look like an amateur job either, possibly an attempt to create a marketable item "way back when"? There was no trigger guard, no wood, but the rifling appeared almost mint. The price was right (free), so I took it.
Got it home and rummaged through my collection of junk and found a birch buttstock and walnut forend, so those went on. The forend was cut down so that about 3" of barrel protruded. Found a trigger guard and borrowed a magazine from another No.4. Mounted a P-14 sight with JBWeld (hey, don't laugh.....it works) and took the gun to our local range. Accuracy was very promising with cast, but the extractor was "iffy". Examination revealed no extractor spring, so I cut a piece from a pencil eraser and shoved it on top of the extractor. I worked and I was able to keep shooting. At that point the gun was cleaned and put in the rack.
I finally got an extractor spring off the internet and that's where the fun begins. I did research on how to install it and found several different ways, but one video by an older gentleman (probably my age) seemed the best. I removed the bolt head and extractor screw. I then tried to push the new spring in using a screwdriver handle as shown in the video....no go. I finally put the bolt head in my small bench vise, positioned the spring and using a small brass hammer whacked the end of the spring. It popped right in. I installed the extractor screw after fiddling with hole alignment and the job was done.
So, that's how I repaired this little rifle and it should make an excellent "behind the pickup seat" gun. Now, if it would just stop snowing..........
