Keep it or not ?

[brow_tines]

I always wanted a older military rifle, and I came across a trade for this. But, it's been sporterized :( The scope is to high, I'm gonna take it off it's a No 4 Mk 1* Longbranch 1943 is it worth keeping and restoring or should I just put it on the trading block ? BTW it doesn't have the 2 grove barrel and it has all matching numbers mag included and a #1 bolt head.

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I'm sorry it's took so long to update, but it seemed that life got fast. A big thanks to goodsteel for the help

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[leadhead]

None of the metal has been altered..... I'd order a stock set from
springfield sporters and restore it.
www.ssporters.com

Denny

[runfiverun]

ditto:
if none of the metal has been ground on or whatever i'd restock it.
if it has i'd just shoot it.
check the bore diameter my buddy has one with a .308 diameter bbl.
the longbranch marked ones seem to be a bit better on spec's.

[Multigunner]

Be sure to check the number of grooves, some Longbranch rifles have been found with six groove bores.
A six groove bore is a real find.
Only Long branch I've had any close encounter with was a fantastically good shooter belonging to a friend, it had a standard Enfield five groovebore. They all seem to have been well made.

PS
You can probably sell that scope mount and scope to offset the cost of fore end, handguards, and bands.

[Bloodman14]

What scope/mount? I am looking for a set.

[brow_tines]

The scope is a Tasco and the mount is a B square (I think) ?

[brow_tines]

BTW, It's a keeper ;)

[Shiloh]

None of the metal has been altered..... I'd order a stock set from
springfield sporters and restore it.
www.ssporters.com

Denny

Sounds like a great idea. Might be a sporterized '03 available to me in the future.
If so, it will be un sporterized and get a reproduction stock.

Shiloh

[Multigunner]

The rear sight should be missing due to the manner this sorth of scope base is mounted using the rear sight pivot pin.
The pin itself is probably still there and unaltered, but the plunger and spring used to hold the sight in position may be missing.
determine what parts you'll need to resotre the rear sight before ordering other parts.

I'd get a ladder sight rather than the L sight.
I have a singer ladder sight, but I'm saving it for the next No.4 I get.
They should still be available and priced within reason.

If you want to go all out a good aftermarket fully adjustable target sight might suit you better. Though I like the military ladder sight for what it is, and they are a very good sight.

[gew98]

I'll venture a guess and say you are near middlesboro... A good smal rural town. Anyhow it is a fantastic rifle as is for your means.... gobs above high dollar less productive former US military bolt rifles of a fake mauser bent. Please do let us know what it does for you with loads using 4895 or 2230 behind a 175 grain bullet... they are superb in that realm for hunting.

[brow_tines]

The rear sight should be missing due to the manner this sorth of scope base is mounted using the rear sight pivot pin.
The pin itself is probably still there and unaltered, but the plunger and spring used to hold the sight in position may be missing.
determine what parts you'll need to resotre the rear sight before ordering other parts.

I'd get a ladder sight rather than the L sight.
I have a singer ladder sight, but I'm saving it for the next No.4 I get.
They should still be available and priced within reason.

If you want to go all out a good aftermarket fully adjustable target sight might suit you better. Though I like the military ladder sight for what it is, and they are a very good sight.


The rear sight is still there, the mount is almost like a "see-thru" mount where you can drop down and use the peep sight. Thats why I haven't had the bolt out yet, because you have to raise the rear sight to get the bolt out (after you align that little thingy on the front of the bolt. as far as the spring I don't know. I"ll have some wood for it soon, so I'll be back with updates and questions. BTW I guessing the sight is a ladder sight, when you flip the peep sight it's kinda shaped like a ladder with yardage and you adjust the peep of the yardage.

[brow_tines]

I'll venture a guess and say you are near middlesboro... A good smal rural town. Anyhow it is a fantastic rifle as is for your means.... gobs above high dollar less productive former US military bolt rifles of a fake mauser bent. Please do let us know what it does for you with loads using 4895 or 2230 behind a 175 grain bullet... they are superb in that realm for hunting.

Close, but to far east, try the banks of Lake Cumberland :) It might take awhile, but I will gets some dies and try and work up some loads and report back.

[brow_tines]

bump :)

[218bee]

Id certainly keep it. I got a Savage that was sporterized (just the stock) and through time replaced stock with correct one and found bits and pieces of Savage marked hdwre along the way. Love to shoot it lots of fun good project for ya!!!

[leadman]

Now you have a very nice looking original rifle.

But how does it shoot?

[Ed in North Texas]

Keeper - but I thought you said "old".

Ed

[Fishman]

What an improvement! Congratulations on a fine rifle.