Magazine Problems

[sop2510]

I've had to send two Promag Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I magazines back because they will not fit in the magazine opening in the trigger guard. The back of the magazine seems to be slightly larger than the opening in the trigger guard.

I suppose I could take a Dremel tool and grind some metal off of the trigger guard, but I hate to do that to the rifle. Any suggestions?

[Lngstrt]

I have one that also doesn't fit well ... in any of 20 Enfields I have. Send them back and don't worry about it. Find a real Enfield mag. Costs a bit more but certainly will fit better. Springfield Sporters lists them at $30.

Why the Promag initially? Was the original mag missing?

[Sunray]

Seems a lot of Promag stuff is like that. Their Lee-Enfield mags are not the right shape either. They look like they put a .303 follower into a Mk 2A/2A1 mag(similar to FAL and M14 mags). Different rifle, altogether, that was never made in .303.
If you find a mag for a Mk III they can be made to fit a No. 4 by grinding off the bottom locking lug.
Bob's Gun Shop lists Enfield mags at $35 each, but doesn't say which rifle. Wouldn't hurt to e-mail him and ask. Says a response won't be quick though. Busy place. gunparts@hsnp.com

[sop2510]

The original magazine works okay, but it is really beaten up. The lips are chewed up a bit and I've had some feeding problems when loading with chargers.
The tech at Promag said they have several "Lee Enfields" in the shop and the magazines all fit. I suspect they simply put the first magazine I returned back in stock and shipped me another magazine.
I'll try Springfield Sporters and Bob's Gun Shop.

[coppertales]

Military Gun Supply in Fort Worth has some number 4 mags. I think they run around 35 bucks.....chris3

[John Sukey]

Also springfield sporters www.ssporters.com

[sop2510]

I ordered one from Bob's Gun Shop in Ar-Kansas. He's running about two weeks behind - one-man shop and some health issues, but at least he emailed me.

I'm going to shoot my Yugo M24/47, M1 Garand, and a new Marlin 1895G .45-70 this weekend, so the L-E No. 4 can take a rest. Interesting how the bolts work between the L-E and the Mauser - one resists closing and the other resists opening, but the L-E is the smoothest of the two.

My recent near-accidents with the M1 and the Mauser last week have convinced me that WWII military rifles are the safest things to shoot. I'm sure there are many arguments to the contrary, based on improved metals, manufacturing methods and ammunition, but the safety margins seem much higher in those old relics.

[John Sukey]

Of course you know earlier mousers were also cock on closing.

[Sunray]

"...Interesting how the bolts work between the L-E and the Mauser..." The Enfield cocks on closing. The Mauser cocks on opening.
"...had some feeding problems when loading with chargers..." How the chargers are loaded matters. If the cartridges aren't put in the charger correctly, you'll have feeding issues. This shows how they need to be loaded. At the bottom of the page. The home page is worth looking at too.
http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ti20.htm
"...My recent near-accidents..." You need to expand on that.

[sop2510]

Of course you know earlier mousers were also cock on closing.

No, I didn't. I've only recently gotten into the Enfields and Mausers with my two purchases this year, the L-E No. 4 Mk. 1 and a Yugo M24/47. I have been impressed with both rifles, considering their age. They've held up a lot better than I have!