Lee Enfield No. 5

First of all, thanks to all that assisted me with my sights issue. I just received the replacement plunger and plunger spring and took the old Enfield out to the range with great success. The only issue now is that I completely forgot how brutal this rifle is. I managed to set off about 20 rounds before I called it quits (I have the bruises to prove it). My new question is does anyone know of any products out there like cushions, recoil pads or the such that will minimize the punishment that my shoulder endured today....or do I have to man up and take the punishment.:surrender:

I would think one of the limbsaver slip ons would work. Or wait until winter with a coat.

Ive heard of this issue with several of the mil-surp rifles. I own and shoot several different ones including the Swede m96 and 38, the Swiss k31, the Rusky m91/30, M1, and recently the Enfields.

Never had much of a problem with my shoulders getting pulverized and for the type of shooting (CMP and NRA matches) where one shoots at a minimum of 35 rounds I beleive its the way you and the rifle "fit up".

Im of small stature BUT for the most part I always shoot "slung up" with a shooting jacket and shooting glove althought when shooting off hand I dont (cant) get the rifle(s) too tight into my shoulder as we dont use slings.

I geuss if your shooting off a bench or rest the rifle will tend to bash your shoulder. I'ld suggest that instead of adding all that... "winpy man" recoil absorbing stuff :) you shoot the rifle "slung up", pulled tight into your shoulder. Become ONE with the GUN and not a stop behind it.

Google PAST recoil pads and get one if in need. I had disc replacement surgery a few years ago and use one now whether I think I need it or not. If you're in Florida or anywhere that the temperatures and humidity are high in Summer, they are nice because you can just strap it on over a tee shirt.

Just take it like it was meant to be........... As young Armourers in 60's Malaya, we used to spend a couple of days sat at a bench, range testing literally hundreds of these rifles and other variants such as Brens, Sterling/Sten and shotguns wearing nothing more than a thin cotton shirt or nothing at all on top! Just a pair of old woolen socks (with the toe part cut out) over our elbows to prevent them being rubbed raw. It didn't work and a floppy hat to sop up the sweat from our eyes. No ear defenders either. The young, probably 14 or 15 year oild son of our Technical Quartermaster used to come and help us and he went through the same!

Happy days, minimum suopervision, free ammo, plenty of bangs and................

No amount of padding etc. will likely help. Try not to pull the butt stock onto the ball joint of your shoulder. It should be a snug fit onto the muscle a bit lower down. Like P.L., I usually let off about fifty rounds a week without noticing any bruising, only wearing a shirt in summer (and am just under eighty years old). Just experiment pulling the stock firmly in and not holding it too high. You must be doing something wrong ... or the majority of personnel would have been invalided out of service.

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Originally Posted by hkopper

First of all, thanks to all that assisted me with my sights issue. I just received the replacement plunger and plunger spring and took the old Enfield out to the range with great success. The only issue now is that I completely forgot how brutal this rifle is. I managed to set off about 20 rounds before I called it quits (I have the bruises to prove it). My new question is does anyone know of any products out there like cushions, recoil pads or the such that will minimize the punishment that my shoulder endured today....or do I have to man up and take the punishment.:surrender:

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First time I shot my straight pull L1A1 SLR (no gas recoil mechanism) with wood butt (no give) and in just a t shirt after ten rounds or so I was snivelling like a baby :o

Next thing I did after I got home was order a Past super magnum recoil pad :D They do work ;)

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Just take it like it was meant to be........... As young Armourers in 60's Malaya, we used to spend a couple of days sat at a bench, range testing literally hundreds of these rifles and other variants such as Brens, Sterling/Sten and shotguns wearing nothing more than a thin cotton shirt or nothing at all on top! Just a pair of old woolen socks (with the toe part cut out) over our elbows to prevent them being rubbed raw. It didn't work and a floppy hat to sop up the sweat from our eyes. No ear defenders either. The young, probably 14 or 15 year oild son of our Technical Quartermaster used to come and help us and he went through the same!

Happy days, minimum suopervision, free ammo, plenty of bangs and................

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Peter

You remind me of when I shot a No 4 for the first time........circa 1968, in the Army Cadets, a snot nosed kid of around 14 :D.

We put our berets doubled up inside our battledress tunics...didn't make much difference though :crying:

Bren? That was easy...it just walked away from you :)

These things stay with you for a lifetime - which is exactly why in my cupboard today I have a straight pull L1A1, a No 4(T), and I have a hankering for a deact Bren ;)

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Originally Posted by David TS

These things stay with you for a lifetime - which is exactly why in my cupboard today I have a straight pull L1A1, a No 4(T), and I have a hankering for a deact Bren ;)

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Spot on. I have the 4T (plus a No.5 that I first saw advertised in "The No.4 Rifle and Bayonet - All Arms") and a deact Bren. The straight-pull SLR is next year's purchase.

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Originally Posted by Beerhunter

Spot on. I have the 4T (plus a No.5 that I first saw advertised in "The No.4 Rifle and Bayonet - All Arms") and a deact Bren. The straight-pull SLR is next year's purchase.

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Top man :madsmile:

A different arm angle seems to help.This is not so good when I (seldom) decide to go to the range and lean forward.

When sitting/squatting on the riverbank, mostly upright, or standing, holding my arm in a "chickenwing" helps a fair bit.
The short recoil pad is mostly used on my SKS due to the short length of pull (I'm 5'11", fairly skinny), but also helps the length and recoil on my #5s.