Nestor Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) I was always intrigued by the idea of a beater that can take on any task, but didn't came across anything cheap enough (and in good condition) to take a bite. Disclaimer: I don't have a truck yet...but maybe I will buy one in the future (tight budget nowadays). I was thinking about something with a bit of a punch. Like 30-06 or 308. Bolt action with the iron sights fed via the stripper clip option or the 4-5 round magazine. VERY inexpensive. Literally I've seen nothing like that for years that would fit this description (except Mosins maybe). Usually that kind of stuff costs hundreds of dollars. Even the milsurplus rifles became so expensive that I can't afford most of them those days. However I came across this ugly duckling that nobody wanted to buy. Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 sporter with the cut down barrel (just in front of the front sight post). Flaking wood. Forend wiggling sideways. Butt stock loose with the brass plate that was misfit to the wood. Surface rust with two light pitting spots, despite overall decent finish. No wonder there were o takers... However the bore was excellent. The bolt head was stamped with number 1 (lot of life left there). The iron sights were better than on most of the modern rifles and it's .303 It is a hard hitting round and the magazine takes 10 with the stripper clip feeding option. I paid under $200 US for this thing. Gunsmith verified the head space as excellent....so. I removed the rusty finish and started working on the wood. As I found out the forend was wiggly because nobody felt like filling the cut made for the rear stock band. The butt stock was dry and dancing all over the receiver's socket. This is being addressed as I'm writing it. No more rust anywhere and it will be painted with the BBQ heat resistant black, flat paint. It looks kinda promising... More to come. Edited June 28, 2020 by Nestor 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampfox762 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 19 minutes ago, Nestor said: I was always intrigued by the idea of a beater that can take on any task, but didn't came across anything cheap enough (and in good condition) to take a bite. Disclaimer: I don't have a truck yet...but maybe I will buy one in the future (tight budget nowadays). I was thinking about something with a bit of a punch. Like 30-06 or 308. Bolt action with the iron sights fed via the stripper clip option or the 4-5 round magazine. VERY inexpensive. Literally I've seen nothing like that for years that would fit this description (except Mosins maybe). Usually that kind of stuff costs hundreds of dollars. Even the milsurplus rifles became so expensive that I can't afford most of them those days. However I came across this ugly duckling that nobody wanted to buy. Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 sporter with the cut down barrel (just in front of the front sight post). Flaking wood. Forend wiggling sideways. Butt stock loose with the brass plate that was misfit to the wood. Surface rust with two light pitting spots, despite overall decent finish. No wonder there were o takers... However the bore was excellent. The bolt head was stamped with number 1 (lot of life left there). The iron sights were better than on most of the modern rifles and it's .303 It is a hard hitting round and the magazine takes 10 with the stripper clip feeding option. I paid under $200 US for this thing. Gunsmith verified the head space as excellent....so. I removed the rusty finish and started working on the wood. As I found out the forend was wiggly because nobody felt like filling the cut made for the rear stock band. The butt stock was dry and dancing all over the receiver's socket. This is being addressed as I'm writing it. No more rust anywhere and it will be painted with the BBQ heat resistant black, flat paint. It looks kinda promising... More to come. Lookin forward to some pictures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestor Posted June 28, 2020 Author Share Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) The memory card in our camera has a very little space (it's like 12 years old now)...so it was all reserved for my Daugther's graduation ceremony...and I have no "before" pictures. It looked quite terrible honestly. Here are some shots from the basement. The bore Front sight Receiver with all the small parts removed (except for the trigger group) for painting Magazine Wood (second coat of oil) lot of sanding before that... I've got myself a spare, complete bolt with the bolt head #2 for $35 US and some small parts...just in case. Total investment is like $250 US right now. Edited June 28, 2020 by Nestor 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdTracker Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 sweet. love me a smelly rifle! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestor Posted June 28, 2020 Author Share Posted June 28, 2020 25 minutes ago, EdTracker said: sweet. love me a smelly rifle! Especially the ones that were killing the Nazis. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestor Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 In case anybody wondered...it turned out decently...I think. Got myself a spare mag as well. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramjet38 Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I would say it turned out better than nice. Good job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NPTim Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 That is a fine looking rifle. You do strong work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Historian Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 1 hour ago, NPTim said: That is a fine looking rifle. You do strong work. I'd be proud to own that rifle. Be a fine hunting rifle, for sure. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
railfancwb Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Looks too good now to toss in the truck as a beater rifle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 I don't keep firearms in my vehicles. Last thing we need is more criminals with easy access to more guns, using them in crimes, and Dimwitz putting gun control out that only affects us and not the criminals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdTracker Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 A very fine looking build Nestor, Very Fine build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now