SMLE No 1 mag. source?

[dualsport]

Where is the best place to buy magazines for a SMLE No 1 Mk III? Looked at Numrich, very pricey. Midway has an aftermarket job for about $15 but there's 7 reviews claiming it's junk. National Ordnance I think. Aftermarket or 5 shot is fine, it's for sporter.

[Jack Stanley]

A few years ago I got an extra from Springfield Sporters , I think they are in Penn Run PA .

Good people to deal with .

Jack

[DaveF]

Marstar Canada has them for No.1 Mk.III and No.4 Mk.I rifles from $25.00 each, and up, depending on condition.

[dualsport]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look.

[KCSO]

I may have a couple Santa fe's left a $18. I'll have to look monday.

[dualsport]

I'm definitely interested, let me know. Thanks.

[Multigunner]

Theres a limited interchangeability between No.1 and No.4 rifle magazines.
From several examples of each tried in several rifles of each type I found that SMLE magazines when used in a No.4 are usually too tight, if the mag catch or rge notch in the magazine rib are worn they will fit, but if each is in near new condition the mag latch won't fully engage unless one or the other is filed down by a very small amount.
A No.4 magazine will usually fit a No.1/SMLE, but if the SMLE has a magazine cut off the cut off plate can becomes jammed in the right side relief cut of a no.4 mag. Perhaps the early No.4 rifles that retained the cut off plate had a higher set or thinner plate. The relief cut in the No.4 mag just doesn't work with an SMLE cut off plate, though there may be exceptions.

One new in the wrap No.4 magazine a friend obtained fit well in either type of rifle. This mag is a clamshell body type with the central seam of the bottom not closed by brazing or welding.
It may have been intended for use in either rifle, and proportioned accordingly.
If you find one of these its probably the best bet for use in either rifle so far as fit and function goes.

DP Magazines very often have a worn down or torn left hand front feed lip.
These can be repaired by upsetting the metal of the lip and drawing out by hammering using a steel rod as a mandrel, then filing to shape. This leaves the lip rather thin, but the hammering work hardens it, so I've had no problems of these bending in use.

[JeffinNZ]

PM "Tertle". He has LE stuff coming out his wazzu these days.

[Artful]

PM "Tertle". He has LE stuff coming out his wazzu these days.

Like Ouch, could be painful :kidding:

[dualsport]

I have ordered an aftermarket 10 rder. from Sportsman's Guide, member's price $16.00. It will be here in a week or so, I'll try it out and report back.

[dualsport]

Got my mag from Sportsmans Guide. Fits fine in the No 1 Mk 3 but haven't tried it yet. I'll be surprised if it doesn't work ok.

[bydand]

Keep in mind a Lee Enfield is NOT an M16. Each magazine was fitted to the rifle and it was only to be removed when cleaning the rifle.
The ONLY Enfield that had a spare magazine was the Lee Metford and that idea was dropped after they modified them for charger loading.

[loosenuts57]

dualsport, I have to agree with bydand when it comes to fitting your mag to your rifle. I have consolidated cartridges recently and MAY have an Enfield mag (probably both aftermarket and original) laying around. I have allot of sifting to do anyway and liquidate this stuff, so keep me in mind if you can't get the SG mag to run.....