[tmanbuckhunter]

I have a No.4 Mk1 I bought today. The magazine wont lock into place and it looks like the little sear on the magazine, and the mag catch are pretty worn. Anything I can do or am I just not doing something right?

[Alan De Enfield]

Quote:       Originally Posted by tmanbuckhunter

I have a No.4 Mk1 I bought today. The magazine wont lock into place and it looks like the little sear on the magazine, and the mag catch are pretty worn. Anything I can do or am I just not doing something right?

Couple of quick 'try-outs'

a) Is it a No4 magazine and not a No1 magazine ?
b) Beg, Borrow or steal a No4 magazine and try that.

If its still a problem than you'll need to replace the magazine catch - not the end of the world and not particularly difficult (the hardest part is getting the pivot pins out)

If need be you can get a trigger / magazine catch / sear / pivot pin replacement set.

[tmanbuckhunter]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Alan De Enfield

Couple of quick 'try-outs' a) Is it a No4 magazine and not a No1 magazine ? b) Beg, Borrow or steal a No4 magazine and try that. If its still a problem than you'll need to replace the magazine catch - not the end of the world and not particularly difficult (the hardest part is getting the pivot pins out) If need be you can get a trigger / magazine catch / sear / pivot pin replacement set.

How do I know its a No.1 or a No.4 mag? Also.... Would a new trigger assembly just fix the whole kittenkaboodle along with a new mag?

EDIT: I looked at pictures and its a No.4 mag I do believe.

EDITx2: Nevermind.... I aint so sure.

[Alan De Enfield]

Quote:       Originally Posted by tmanbuckhunter

How do I know its a No.1 or a No.4 mag? Also.... Would a new trigger assembly just fix the whole kittenkaboodle along with a new mag? EDIT: I looked at pictures and its a No.4 mag I do believe. EDITx2: Nevermind.... I aint so sure.

A No1 magazine has a 'spine' running the full length of the rear of the magazine (the side against the trigger guard) It will have two distinct 'steps' in it for the magazine catch to grip onto.
The 'top' step is approximately 1 1/4" from the top and the second step is approximately 2" from the top.

A No4 magazine has only 1 'step'.

Just a thought - If it is a No4 magazine dont pussy-foot around with it push it in and give it a good slap upwards with the palm of your hand - there should be an audible click.

Still not happy ? - A new trigger assembly would 99% be likely to correct the problem but it could be something else - I once put a No4 magazine into my No1 and it jammed solid. Big hammer and chisel knocking down from the top would'nt shift it, I had to take the trigger guard and woodwork off to get it free. Ended up with a bent trigger guard (which acts at the magazine guide / holder - something similar may have happened here ?

Last (random) thought - it is a 303 rifle and not a No4 in 7.62 x 51 Nato ?
They had a slightly larger / modified trigger guard / magazine well and a 303 magazine would be wobbly.

Sorry - its difficult to diagnose at a distance.

Lucky To Be Alive - read the text very carefully on the picture.

[SightNSqueeze]

Lucky is right. More like a miracle.

[tmanbuckhunter]

I do believe its a No.1 mag. It has a spine running the length of it, with one large step, and then towards the bottom it has a smaller step and then some kind of bent leaf spring held in by a rivet looking thing. Thanks Alan. I read a lot of your posts on here and I was very ecstatic to see you reply to my thread first because I knew you'd probably have the answer.

EDIT: As far as it being a 7.62x51mm nato rifle... it's 303. 303 brit rounds chamber into it perfectly. I have a 308 win so I'll check to see if it chambers to. It's a fired round so its safe.

[timberlord]

The No4 mag has only the top step. Forcing a No1 mag into a No4 wouldn't be advisable.
I'd bet getting a proper No4 mag will be all you need.

[tmanbuckhunter]

Going friday to see if I can get the right magazine.

[SightNSqueeze]

Check Sportsman's Guide. Every so often they have both magazines in No.1 MK III and No.4 MK1 in slightly used or like new condition.