Another SMLE question

[Trifocals]

About five years ago I picked up a Bubbaized #4 MK1 SMLE at a garage sale for an extremely attractive price. This is a Savage built rifle in excellent condition. I had the bbl. cut to 22", put on a synthetic stock and forearm and a scope mount and gave it to a good friend who needed a rifle with a bit more "thump" than a .243. I just finished installing a Huber trigger in the rifle, for him. The magazine in the rifle has seen better days, having various dents and bends that made it somewhat unreliable. Can someone tell me where I can obtain a 5 rd. magazine for this rifle, that will function reliably? As an aside, my friend loves the SMLE.

[HABCAN]

Not to be too persnickety, but hereabouts "SMLE" refers only to the No.1 Mk. III of WW1. The #4 of WW2 is a "#4". For a moment there I thought you had some sort of hybrid, LOL.

[Trifocals]

Thank you for the correction on the mis-use of the SMLE designation. This is something I was not aware of.

[higgins]

Check the two small tabs on the front end of the magazine and see if they're obviously bent out of shape. Check them against a magazine that works smoothly. Don't get too carried away bending them back and forth or they'll break-very minor adjustments are all that's needed. There is a small auxilliary spring that clips over the front top edge of the mag.; if it's missing that may be the problem. I have a mag. that's missing that aux. spring and it still works pretty well. Take the follower and spring out of the magazine and see if you can remove some of the dents from the magazine case, and clean it out. The spring may just be weak. I think it's worth tinkering with the original mag. first because I doubt you'll find an aftermarket mag. as well made as an original for a reasonable price. If all this fails, you won't be any worse off.

[leadman]

At one time the 5 round mags were advertized in the Shotgun News. Might have been the Gibbs Rifle Company.
Is there a perticular reason you are wanting a 5 rounder?

[Trifocals]

I've tweaked the original mag. till it works....sorta. It really should be replaced. A five rounder would look a bit nicer since it wouldn't protrude from the rifle as far. That's the only reason. If I can't find a good functioning five round mag., no big deal. Does anyone have a ten rounder for the #4 rifle they would part with?

[303Guy]

Trifocals, I do believe someone still sells 5 and ten round magazines for both the SMLE and No4 rifles. Brand new if I am not mistaken. (Not so sure that a five round mag looks good on a Lee Enfield [smilie=1: ).
The Lee Enfield only has two faults;
a) there are not enough of them,
b) they have crappy magazines!

On the bright side, I one that works real well and thats on a No4. I think they were better.:Fire:

[Hardcast416taylor]

I seem to remember seeing photos of an Enfield that someone sporterised. The person did a weld job of the trigger guard to make a smooth floor plate where the magazine formerly went. Really looked sharp, probably cost a bunch to do it - but it looked sharp! Try checking Numrich gun parts or Sarco. Robert

[dromia]

Five round magazines were made by BSA and others for their sporter versions on the Long Lee actions. Colloquially known as Lee Speeds.

Here's one of mine with the ten rounder, can't find a photo of a five rounder although I should have some somewhere.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/adamsutherland/BSA%20Lee%20Speed/BSALS303A.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/adamsutherland/BSA%20Lee%20Speed/BSALS303B.jpg

This one has collected the odd gong on the running deer. :-D

[dromia]

Trifocals, I do believe someone still sells 5 and ten round magazines for both the SMLE and No4 rifles. Brand new if I am not mistaken. (Not so sure that a five round mag looks good on a Lee Enfield [smilie=1: ).
The Lee Enfield only has two faults;
a) there are not enough of them,
b) they have crappy magazines!

On the bright side, I one that works real well and thats on a No4. I think they were better.:Fire:


I have to disagree, I have found the Enfield magazines to be very good. Occasionally you will come across one that has been mistreated.

They were only meant to be removed for cleaning are were not supposed to be banged in full of ten rounds and out when empty as I have seen some people do. Loading was done by five round charger clips and they are a lot cheaper than magazines.

[docone31]

I have not seen five round magazines in a long time.
However, there are tutorials on makeing them. A fairly simple process.
I have been toying around with makeing one for my paper patcher. The original magazine is rusted below the trigger guard.
You can get new ones from Sportsmens Guide, or Numerich.

[Bret4207]

Five round magazines were made by BSA and others for their sporter versions on the Long Lee actions. Colloquially known as Lee Speeds.

Here's one of mine with the ten rounder, can't find a photo of a five rounder although I should have some somewhere.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/adamsutherland/BSA%20Lee%20Speed/BSALS303A.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/adamsutherland/BSA%20Lee%20Speed/BSALS303B.jpg

This one has collected the odd gong on the running deer. :-D

GUN PORN!!!! Nice hunka wood there!:drinks:

[Nora]

I can't vouch for how good they are but here are some after market 5 rd mags by Pro Mag.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=1139350&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

[dromia]

GUN PORN!!!! Nice hunka wood there!:drinks:

Thanks Bret, yes the wood is very nice especially on the butt stock, the photos don't really do it justice.

They were sold in three patterns of quality and finish, this is a second pattern quality rifle.

Originally they came with the five round mags as standard.

[303Guy]

I think the cavelry carbine had a five round magazine. My 303-25 - which has an SMLE action - has a magazine that does not drop its rounds when taken off the rifle. But it rattles in the gun. My MkI fits well and feeds well but drops rounds when removed. Originally it had a chain attaching the magazine to the action. The woodwork is not as fancy as dromia's.

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo327/303Guy/MVC-244F_edited-2.jpg

The cocking piece is the same as dromia's (not shown). That is the MkI bolt. Many MkI's were converted into MkIII's. dromia's rifle may have a single stage trigger. Mine had but I fitted the MkIII two-stage trigger. It has a No4 barrel and a somewhat unusual scope mount.

[alamogunr]

Not trying to hijack thread but am I correct in assuming that a magazine that fits a No 4 MK I will also fit a No 4 Mk II? I only have the one and don't know much about it yet. I would like to have a couple of extra magazines though, just to be safe.

John
W.TN

[dromia]

No 4 magazines fit all No 4 actioned rifles.

7.62 magazines will also fit but won't chamber .303 and vice versa.

[rvpilot76]

The difference between the Mk 1 and Mk 2 rifles is that the Mk 2's trigger hinged off the action, whereas the Mk 1's hinged off the triggerguard.