"Channels" next to recoil plates, Lithgow N1Mk3*
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Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Gunsmithing
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Topic: "Channels" next to recoil plates, Lithgow N1Mk3*
Posted By: fenderstrat
Subject: "Channels" next to recoil plates, Lithgow N1Mk3*
Date Posted: January 11 2015 at 10:42pm
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Hi, I just started to accurize my '43 Lithgow N1 Mk3*, and I noticed some "channels" or gaps in the wood next to the recoil plates in the forend, filled with grease or crap or who knows what. Now I'm pretty new to this so I just wanted to know, are those supposed to be there? If not, should maybe fill them up with epoxy or something? I just attached a pic, hopefully it'll help  |
Replies:
Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: January 30 2015 at 6:34pm
| I'm not sure I understand your question. I'll give it my best shot (no pun intended). The copper pads are supposed to be there. They protect the stock wood from deformation from recoil against the receiver. If you're asking about the gaps surrounding the copper pads, if it were mine and I was undertaking an accurizing routine, I'd remove the pads, clean out all the junk and crap from around them, put bedding compound on their locations and screw them back into place. That way they would be captured and not left free to move around and disturb the bedding.Jon |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: February 02 2015 at 4:30am
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I assume the channels are just where the wood has been worked to fit the brass plates. Before fiddling about with glass bedding etc it's better to see how accurate you can get it with the standard procedures of proper fit and adjustment. You may be pleasantly surprised and won't have done anything to lower the value. I would start by checking the contact of the brass plates and recoil lugs, and shim as necessary to get a snug fit at the wrist and the barrel properly centred. Then I'd move on to the contact at the knox form, barrel clearance and up pressure, nosecap fit etc. ------------- It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 02 2015 at 4:54am
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I agree the bedding is a tapered, camming "wedge" that locks the action, barrel & stock together. Make certain you really understand how it works before you do something you'll regret. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Homer
Date Posted: February 02 2015 at 2:42pm
| I can't see anything out of the ordinary there except that one plate has rotated slightly around the screw. Looks like its been making fairly even contact previously so there may not be too much of an issue to address if any. As has been said, the action should be firm in the forend and there should be no lineal movement between the two. Check this first and try to make any adjustments with conventional methods rather than epoxies or glass bedding. Any movement or gaps can be rectified by shimming the plates forward one at a time but be very careful removing the screws holding the plates. They are small and can strip easily. It's a bit fidley but not overly hard. I enjoy it. |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: February 02 2015 at 3:31pm
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Just remember..once you start mucking about with the bedding..you wont be able to go back Hoadie ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: fenderstrat
Date Posted: February 02 2015 at 8:25pm
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Thanks guys. I checked for contact with wd40 and talcum powder and it was nice and even, so all i did was to clean the whole thing and rotate that plate back, to it seems to be good now. Thanks again! |