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L39A1 Accurizing The Trigger

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Long Ranger View Drop Down
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    Posted: January 05 2023 at 7:24pm
I just took possession of a Lee Enfield L39A1 that started as a UK origion rifle.  After three months of US-UK bureacratic applications-approvals, exports/imports steps and FFL transfer hoops it finally arrived.  

Excellent example metal finsh/wood/functioning action/bore with every feature and accessory included that I have researched.  The only issue I have is that there is excessive trigger play (wiggle longitudinal & latitudinal).  However, when the rifle is cocked some of this excess is taken up.  Pulling the trigger both through Stage 1 and Stage 2 can be felt.  I have not yet determined the trigger pull weight.  There is no difficulty in firing the rifle.

Note: I have a No. 3 and two No. 5 rifles and do not recall these Enfield's having sloppy triggers.  

How can I reduce this trigger movement play?  What is the best UK or US source for a replacement Matrch trigger as well as trigger retaining pin?  Your recommendations are appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Long Ranger
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2023 at 8:19pm
Originally posted by Long Ranger Long Ranger wrote:

I just took possession of a Lee Enfield L39A1 that started as a UK origion rifle.  After three months of US-UK bureacratic applications-approvals, exports/imports steps and FFL transfer hoops it finally arrived.  

Excellent example metal finsh/wood/functioning action/bore with every feature and accessory included that I have researched.  The only issue I have is that there is excessive trigger play (wiggle longitudinal & latitudinal).  However, when the rifle is cocked some of this excess is taken up.  Pulling the trigger both through Stage 1 and Stage 2 can be felt.  I have not yet determined the trigger pull weight.  There is no difficulty in firing the rifle.

Note: I have a No. 3 and two No. 5 rifles and do not recall these Enfield's having sloppy triggers.  

How can I reduce this trigger movement play?  What is the best UK or US source for a replacement Matrch trigger as well as trigger retaining pin?  Your recommendations are appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Long Ranger
Howdy from Phoenix Arizona. Alot of the trigger slop can be reduced by swapping out the old stuff for N.O.S. "New Old Stock" unissued items. The best way to improve trigger pull is to lightly polish the cocking piece, sear, and the bumps on the trigger. As far as a "Match Grade" trigger goes. The closest you will get is offered by John Huber @HuberConcepts.com
All that actually accomplishes is getting rid of the second stage. 
Enfield parts can be found at Numrich Gun Parts,  Apex Gun Parts, Dixie Gun Works, BRlAN DlCK @ BDLLTD.COM 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Long Ranger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2023 at 7:43pm
Many thanks.  I will research the three parts suppliers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2023 at 2:59am
The triggers all have play in the fore/aft direction prior to the first stage, about 1/2 inch of free movement when the rifle is uncooked, about half that when cocked.  A bit of lateral movement is also normal. We call that stage “0”, there should be no binding or resistance felt as the trigger is moved.  If this is what you have, it’s perfectly normal. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2023 at 5:18am
Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

The triggers all have play in the fore/aft direction prior to the first stage, about 1/2 inch of free movement when the rifle is uncooked, about half that when cocked.  A bit of lateral movement is also normal. We call that stage “0”, there should be no binding or resistance felt as the trigger is moved.  If this is what you have, it’s perfectly normal. 
All that "play" you just described might be due to "wear" from decades of use? Since documenting all the stamps and markings on my unfired French Resistance Maltby, I also paid close attention to the trigger group and took measurements, both fore and aft as well as left and right. At rest, the fore and aft "play" is 0.225". With it cocked, the fore and aft "play" is significantly reduced to 0.016". The left/right movement is only 0.012". The "jump" between the first to second stage release is 0.125".
It should also be noted that the trigger "pull" on the first stage is 40 ounces/ 2.5lbs and the second stage trigger "pull" is right at 48 ounces/ 3.0lbs when going slow and deliberate. When trigger pull is tested no differently than if you were out in the field killing the bad guy, trigger pull from start to finish, with no noticable jump between first and second stage is reduced to 30 ounces/ 1.8lbs. The measurements taken are, in my opinion, representative of a newly acquired and as-issued rifle, straight from the factory floor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2023 at 10:36am
That’s a fairly light second stage trigger pull for an as produced example. 

The specified weights were 3 to 4 lbs for first stage and 5 to 6 lbs for second stage (No. 1 and No. 4 rifles). The spring scale used was angled so the pull was over the top of the butt, page 164/165 of Skennerton’s book. 

Striker spring may have weakened over time from being compressed. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Long Ranger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2023 at 10:40am
Thank you Gentlemen.  Acting upon an earlier forum member's recommendation i did order a replacement (hopefully new/unissued) trigger with used locking pin from Numerich.

     Note:  Apex Gun Parts and Dixie Gun Worrks are very lean on Enfield Parts (no on triggers).

I am now encouraged to learn that a little wiggle (and thanks for provided above precise measurements) is normal in "Stage 0".  However, I'm still out to minimize lateral play.  Fore-and-aft I can live with.

As a courtesy I will post some photos of the subject L39A1 and will try and add a couple of the No. 5's (both) in my collection.  My No 3 is hanging up in a remote site viewing room with its WWI period bayonet.

As an aside, do any forum members out there have UK L1A1's/ Commonwealth "Inch" FN SLR's or Sterling AR-180's?  I am a heavy collector of these as well. 

Thank you for the advice received to date.  Very glad I signed up to Enfield-Rifles.com
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2023 at 10:59am
Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

That’s a fairly light second stage trigger pull for an as produced example. 
The specified weights were 3 to 4 lbs for first stage and 5 to 6 lbs for second stage (No. 1 and No. 4 rifles). The spring scale used was angled so the pull was over the top of the butt, page 164/165 of Skennerton’s book. 
Striker spring may have weakened over time from being compressed. 
Specified but not necessarily adhered to britrifles, especially given the circumstances of these particular No4Mk1 builds and yes, my spring scale is a duplicate of the one you referenced. 
The bolt assembly was stored separately and away from the rifle so there is no possibility of the striker spring ever being compressed or compromised...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 13 2023 at 9:46am
Regarding the L39A1 triggers. 
These are hung from the receiver as per the No4mk2 rifle; not on the trigger guard as per the No4mk1.
Also the trigger pull weight is lighter than the standard rifle, due to a different angle on the cocking piece face. This is because the L39 is built for target competition use.
I will try and remember to measure the pull weight on my rifle.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 13 2023 at 9:52am
The Lee Enfield trigger is pretty simple, and weights adjusted by stoning the sear contact face of the cocking piece.  A slight change in angle changes the pull weight.  The condition of the striker spring can also affect the pull weight.  I once failed a rifle inspection because the pull weight was under 3.5 lbs, changing the spring increased it to 4.5 lbs.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 13 2023 at 10:09am
Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

The Lee Enfield trigger is pretty simple, and weights adjusted by stoning the sear contact face of the cocking piece.  A slight change in angle changes the pull weight.  The condition of the striker spring can also affect the pull weight.  I once failed a rifle inspection because the pull weight was under 3.5 lbs, changing the spring increased it to 4.5 lbs.
Should have just shot it in the F Class then
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The Armourer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2023 at 6:37am
You L39 owners may find a note from Peter Laidler (back in 2008) of interest.


I was having a browse through the Small Arms Committee minutes relating to the L39A1 rifle the other day and found some bits and pieces that I think I ought to pass on. Including some things that I never realized either!

The first bit is that contrary to what I firmly believed, that the rifles were built up to new rifle specification from ‘new’ components (including new barrels obviously) including bodies but the committee minutes state ‘….rifles converted from the Rifle No4 Mk1/2 and 2’ too. I was under the impression from the Armourers technical blurb that all L39’s were made ‘as new’. But this is clearly not so because Mk1/2 type L39’s will exist.

This COULD mean that L39’s were made from brand new, unused ex c.1955 Fazakerley bodies. It could also include USED ex .303” Mk2 bodies. It could also Mk2/1 rifles unbreeched and rebarrelled at the point of conversion to L39 at Enfield and it COULD include bodies converted to Mk1/2 but UNUSED since conversion at Fazakerley in the late 40’s to mid 50’s. However, no mention is made of Mk1/3 bodies.

Paragraph 3 of the build standard states that the rifles will be fitted with the stock butt of the No4 rifle, ‘….identical except that a small recess is machined under the knuckle to hold spare foresight blades in a suitable container. There you have it. The correct, ‘as-issue’ butt is that of the No4, modified as detailed above. But (if you’ll excuse the pun), more later….!

Para 8 of the build standard also states that the magazine will be the standard .303” magazine that will be used as a loading platform. It goes on to state that the rifle may be fitted with a 10 round 7.62mm magazine at the users request

Now here’s a surprise…….. Para 20 states that certain rifles are fitted with a special factory size 00 bolt head. ‘……..at the factory only, it is used when assembly tolerances require a smaller head than a ‘0’. The bolt head is special and is not provisioned as a spare’. There’s a thing to get your know-it-all mates coughing into their beer!

Instruction 1 to the committee says that the first 50 EX type rifles (or should this be XL rifles?) were produced and procured with trigger pressures set to the SERVICE limits of 1st - 3 to 4 lbs and 2nd – 5 to 6.5 lbs. But subsequent series production is to be set at 1st - 2.5 to 3.5 lbs and 2nd – 4 to 5.5lbs pull. To cater for this permissible adjustment, the face of the sear can be adjusted to a maximum angle of 80 degrees ( to decrease the sear load pressure). Additionally, magazine catches with an additional sear spring location recess BELOW the original will be provided or may be encountered. There, that’s the answer if you have one on yours!

Now, in conjunction with the civilian target shooting world and the Army Rifle Association, the Light Weapon Defect and Modification Committee has agreed that build standard of the L39 rifle may be altered to include the following:
A commercial SLING SWIVEL can be fitted in place of the front trigger guard screw
A commercial STOCK FORE-END can be fitted using commercially or UK Military recognized practice to ensure the correct bedding and assembly of the barrel and body
STOCK BUTT can be replaced with the service No5, No8, No4 variants and a commercial ‘monte-carlo type with suitable face pieces (I think they mean cheek rests…..) dependent on the competitors competitive situation (type of competition rules ?)
TUNNEL FORESIGHTS of the PH FS-22A or any similar trade pattern WITH THE CORRECT DOVETAIL ARRANGEMENT. Can be used.
REARSIGHT: Any make of sight, similar to the PH 5C or AJP 4/47 which can be readily adapted can be used providing that it does so without resorting to any alteration of any kind to the rifle.

The inspection of any altered or modified L39 rifle will be undertaken by the periodic REME Armourers inspection which we still call the PRE. They will take into account the competitive nature of the weapon and their inspection will concern only the safety and mechanical condition. Any weapon that includes any deviation from the build standard will be returned to that standard prior to disposal or return to Ordnance.

Well, there it is! What is quite interesting is the fact that no sights are fitted to this weapon according to the build sheet standard, not even a standard backsight! Even to the point that Field and Base workshops required to test them for accuracy were to have available a PH5C sight in order to do so (using the authority of the SA Committee to purchase one!). The report also states that no government stores are to be used outside the build sheet standard. So this means that even if you just wanted to use a standard No4 Mk1 type (or an L42 metric version) backsight, you weren’t allowed. But I don’t expect anyone ever abided by those rules.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Long Ranger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2023 at 1:44pm
Many thanks.  I appreciate the wealth of information received and enjoy the deep-dive technical reviews.  I received Numerich replacement parts and will discuss "all background" with local gunsmith next week.
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