Printable View
I know no4's came with different length butt stocks wondering if the no5's also came this way also?
Also how was this done with the no4's and no5's if they came like that, did they all come from factory the same and changed at a unit level or did they come in batches or randomly?
Issued originally on an 80% 10% 10% basis. Selection was usually done by the training wing when you were new to the unit unless you were smart enough to know what you needed. But you always got a short butt to start with just so that you'd get an eyebrow full of backsight!
I've only seen one butt that was a long, the rest have all been short I think. I changed it and the carbine shot much nicer, but it didn't match. If you want to use your #5 for shooting, change the butt for a #4 of your choice and when finished you can change it back.
To elaborate on Peter's post above: 80% normal, 10% short and 10% long.
It is interesting that the Pattern 1913 rifle was also furnished with short, normal and long butts. One of mine sat funny on the rack, taller than the ones around it. Investigation finally showed it to have a long butt. FWIW.
My No. 5 is long (has an "L" stamped on the buttstock) and I´ll keep it as I´ve got long arms. I´ve used the "short" and found it pretty useless.