BSA No7 Mk1 Magazine

My No7 does not feed very smoothly and occasionally needs a 'tap' on the bottom of the magazine to get the cartridge to lift into place. maybe a 'tired' spring, or, just need dissasembly and cleaning.

I've picked up a spare BSA Sportsman 5 magazine so have 2 questions :

1) Anyone have an idiots guide to dissasembly of the BSA Sportsman 5 magazine ?
2) What is actually involved in modifying (reversing the locking catch) from a Sportsman 5 mag to a No7 mag ? It looks like cutting metal, drilling new pivot hole etc - but - are the original springs etc. used ?

The 'black' mag is the No7 magazine and the 'silvery / scratched' one is an original Sportsman 5 magazine.

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If you get stuck I've got a complete No7 mag spare....just pm or email me!

ATB

Alan de Enfield I have done this, with one of my No.7 Mk.1 Magazines. To remove the ammo spring remove the plate at the bottom, by sliding forward the plate will slide out and the spring will follow. (like stripping a pistol magazine). This will leave you with the magazine plate, spring and bottom plate to degrease and clean regrease etc.

The Sportsman Magazine requires the external pattern of the No.7 to be the same; this ensures that the fit is correct, using the No.7 as a template. (I ensured that the right hand vertical was the same height), Remove the pin / rivet from the top of the sportsman magazine, once the removal of the catch and spring, then measure the new position of the pin / rivet in relation to the right hand catch (ensuring these are the same height).

This will allow you to position and drill a new hole for the pin / rivet, to replace and assemble the catch spring into it’s final position (like the No.7 magazine). This then ensures that the magazine catch on the sportsman is pointing upwards, so to be removed from external No. 7 magazine.

This allows you to put the pin / rivet, catch spring back in to the newly formed hole, when reassembling ensure that the latch holding it in to the external magazine is the same size as the No. 7 magazine, otherwise when you press to eject the magazine this will not clear, and it will get stuck. Making removal hard without breaking the magazine engagement lip..

Then try the fit with the external magazine…. If all is ok and a smooth fit and removal is achieved. Then you can reassemble the magazine plate, spring and bottom plate. Ensuring that the pin / rivet is secure (this may requires penning over to ensure a good fit on both sides of the magazine insert).

If you were not experienced with tools, I would recommend Rogers Magazines. I also have some of Rogers No.7 Magazines they are Excellent Quality!! And have served me well for the last five years Thank you Roger Payne!!!

Sorted !!!!

The first round in the mag (last round out) had absolutely zero spring pressure and could be seen rattling and moving about if the mag was shaken.

Stripped the mag as instructed (the reference to a pistol mag was of no use at all since in the Uk we are not allowed such nasty things) - no problems.
Cleaned out the (small amount of) crud, oiled the inside of the magazine and reassembled. No difference.

Stripped the 'new' (ex BSA Sportsman 5) magazine cleaned it as above, reassembled, and loaded and hand stripped perfectly. But - could only get 4 rounds into it.

Took both mags apart and compared.
The spring from the Mk7 was a good two inches shorter than the Sportsman 5 spring, assembled the No7 mag with the longer spring and everything works (except can only get 4 rounds in - will need to trim the spring down fraction by fraction until I can get in the full 5 rounds but with maximum spring pressure)

Thanks for the simple instructions Dan.

Roger - did you ever find any ejectors, extractors & bolt head bits for a No7 ? (still got my eye on one with those bits missing)

Alan,
Sorry for the tardy reply.....been over in France again for a few days. No diddley bits I'm afraid. My machinist only made the one batch, most of which went to Brian & sold (I gather) pretty quickly. The problem seems to be finding someone who is interested enough to want to produce the parts. The chap who made them for me is sadly no longer with us, & I have no incentive to chase the project now as I have no rifles to complete. Are there any forummers out there that might be interested??

ATB

Just to add to Roger's comments, I haven't been able to find anyone over here in the USA who will produce the missing parts at a semi-reasonable price. That's why I've all but given up on the project. Those folks looking to buy the spares need to come to the realization that they just don't exist in quantity anywhere and it's not going to be cheap to produce them. With Roger's help it may be possible to get them done in England again. Any comments?

I know the feeling lads. Everyone WANTS Patt 18 ocular lenses and Scout Reg OG lenses etc etc so you get them made. Then the cost and reality suddenly dawns and folks want them at BELOW cost.

I had some No32 Mk1 and 2 clicker plungers made too...., by a friend at a very reasonable 'I'll fit it in when I'm at a loose end' price. I won't even bother to tell you about the brass erector cell locking segments.................

To be honest, No7 'PLATES, ejector' should be a doddle but who'll pay?

Peter - you had the Scout Reg OG lenses made up - I put my name down for one but I have not heard back from you.
Also the e-mail address of the lens maker does not seem to work for me.

Brian,
My SMLE/aldis over bore mounts are finally nearly ready. I am intending to get some more Whiteheads done next, but I'll ask the new outfit if they'd be interested in doing them........
ATB