Un-sporterize #4-Mk1? |
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trimix
Groupie Joined: December 30 2012 Location: Nanoose Bay, BC Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Posted: December 30 2012 at 4:43pm |
Hey gang -
I just got my first Enfield: Grandpa's #4 mark 1 which is in good shape but has suffered from Grandpa's ideas of modifications... He 'sporterized' it. Also filed the battle sight into a V-notch rendering it basically useless. End result, it shoots really poorly, looks like poo. Will work on replacing the sight - would like to put a flip up on instead. After reading comments about how original handguard puts upward pressure (witha spring!) on floating barrel, it makes me wonder if I should return the stock to non-sporterized and hopefully improve the accuracy? Is there still any interest in an 'as issued' stock on the Enfields, or is the sporterized version a preferred look now?
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yeah...whatever.
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303Guy
Senior Member Joined: July 10 2012 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Points: 495 |
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I think most here would say original. I have no choice - mine are 'sporterized' which is OK for me except I want one to as issued. Unfortunately front stocks are ridiculously priced - about as much as a sporterized rifle! Even worse, the bayonet bit of the barrel has bee chopped off. I'm thinking of making it look like a No10. I want to use this one for paper patched target shooting. For hunting I have sporterized No4's and No1's.
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303Guy
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muffett.2008
Senior Member Joined: December 09 2011 Location: scone. nsw Status: Offline Points: 751 |
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Restoring the rifle will double it's value.
Accuracy revolves around several factors, each one adding to the final result, post pic's so we can help with what you need to restore the old girl.
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trimix
Groupie Joined: December 30 2012 Location: Nanoose Bay, BC Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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My concern is that "restoring' it to original isn't going to increase its value - value is gained with original finishes and components. What's more 'valuable' - an old car that's been driven from the showroom and immediately stored for 30 years in a barn, or one that has been cobbled back together from mixed parts by an amatuer - ? Whatever I do, it will be a mutt - not an original Enfield. I just want it to look and function as it should / did, not like some low budget prairie deer hunter trying to make a military surplus rifle look like a proper hunting rifle.
Lucky for me, the barrel was not sawn off short - the bayonet mount and front sight are intact ( ihave the bayonet), but the 'ears' are missing from the front. Does anyone think it will shoot better with a proper wooden fore-end?
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yeah...whatever.
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SW28fan
Special Member Donating Member Joined: July 02 2007 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2951 |
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It can be done here are two of my "Rescues":
No4 Mk1 Maltby Before
After:
No4 Mk1/3 Before:
After:
Numrich, Sarco & Springfield Sporters should have all the parts you need. You may have to go to more than one source as they all occasionally are out of a particular bit or bob.
Good Luck!
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Have a Nice Day
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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"After reading comments about how original handguard puts upward pressure (witha spring!) on floating barrel, it makes me wonder if I should return the stock to non-sporterized and hopefully improve the accuracy?"
That's a feature of the SMLE, not the No 4. The spring loaded screw was one of the things eliminated to improve production on the later model.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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303Guy
Senior Member Joined: July 10 2012 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Points: 495 |
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There is no doubt that a full wooded No4 looks way better than a 'sporterized' No4. I don't mind a different butt stock with a decent hand grip and a higher comb and longer - that can be switched back with ease but the fore-end is non-negotiable.
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303Guy
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muffett.2008
Senior Member Joined: December 09 2011 Location: scone. nsw Status: Offline Points: 751 |
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I stated before, putting it back to original WILL double it's value.
It will never be as it was, but then the Enfield parts system was all about keeping the rifle functional, not as it left the factory.
If it had been as issued, that is all parts as it left the factory, then itwould be triple it's current value. |
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Zed
Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 5585 |
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Many service rifles have had parts replaced over the years, having replacement wood is just one such repair, so fitting original wood is the way to go. Get the flip up back sight as well, that will help with the accuracy, giving you a more consistent sight picture.
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It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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yoeri
Senior Member Joined: July 04 2009 Location: belgium Status: Offline Points: 235 |
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http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/phv1807/IMG_0044.jpg
where did you find that wood? is it new made?
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si vis pacem parabelum
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SW28fan
Special Member Donating Member Joined: July 02 2007 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2951 |
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It is surplus from the last production of No4 Mk2 Springfield Sporters has some
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Have a Nice Day
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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its your rifle of coarse , but i think you will learn from the doing and enjoy the end result , MHO
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