SOG's latest No4 Mk1 Enfields quality?

I just ordered one last night with the handpick option. Just at $200 delivered. I have ordered other rifles from SOG and have not been disappointed. I am just asking if anybody else here has already received one and what their opinion is. I have been sitting on a couple hundred rounds of good commercial ammunition for a while since selling the last rifle I had in that caliber. Since the ammo did not sell I decided to get another No4 to shoot it through. I like the rifle. Generally I have found them to be smooth and have a fast cycling action. Also pretty darned accurate for an old war rifle. The peep sight is better for my old eyes. If anybody has received one it would be nice to see some pictures. Thanks. Bill aka Sarge.

Sgt, I'm interested also. If you don't get any replies please post your observations and photo's please. The Lee Enfield is my next purchase.

Merry Christmas,

Matt

Hi Matt. According to the tracking number it is supposed to be here tomorrow but I sort of doubt it because I checked a couple of hours ago and it had not departed IL. May have got caught up in the back log caused by the storm. I will try to post before pictures and give a description when it gets here. I did choose to take the handpick option this time, something I have never done before. I know it simply means they glance at the top 5 and grab what looks best. I am hoping for well matching wood in good condition. I am not too worried about the metal as I have seen very few Enfields with bad barrels. I want to check matching numbers, condition of the bore and muzzle as well and report on that. I should have pictures posted by the weekend. They had them advertised cheaper than I actually paid but they do have a statement about "the right to change prices" so what can you do? The rifle cost me just over $200 delivered and I have an 01 license on file with them. If you don't have an 03 or better license your transfer fees will probably add a bit to that. Sarge.

Bolt and receiver numbers match. Bore was dirty but after a couple of patches shows very shiny with strong lands and grooves. Muzzle has a couple of small dings but on the outside away from the bore. Should not effect accuracy. Magazine is not numbered but I did find and photo a symbol (I will attempt to attach all appropriate photos). The marking I found on the bolt head appears to me to be a zero but I am sure some of you experts will set me straight. Headspace looks and feels good to me but I want to study some expended brass. Lets see, what else. Wood appears to be all in the same color and grain, not sure what type (hoping for some info on that). I got some photos of the markings. Has the grooved upper handguard. Some gouges and dents in the wood but not bad and no cracks that I can see yet. Light surface rust on the magazine. Metal finish seems better than most of the Enfields I have owned. OK, now to see if I can attach some pictures. It seems to be working, just a lot slower than I am used to. I think maybe turn down the resolution on my camera next time?

I got one last Jan. It was filthy but all matching and a great bore.

OOOH! Don't put "tape" and "headspace" in the same sentence! Makes folk a bit, ummm, stern...

Any suggestions about technically checking headspace without a proper gauge? Feeler gauges maybe?

More pics.

Looks like a nice one. You say SOG has them? I dont see them on their site.

I believe I spoke with Connie. In my opinion they are well worth it. This is the first time I have done a handpick in all the times I have ordered from them but it seems to have been worth it. The metal is good and the wood just needs to be cleaned up with some mineral spirits. I WOULD like someone to tell me who made this gun, though. I have been checking the web all evening and drawing a blank. The wood is marked SL over N and 74 underneath. The metal marks seem to be a stylized AK but I am far from an expert on Enfields although I did rebuild several Longbranch and one Savage. Some one give me some help, please. I am going to try to shoot this rifle tomorrow and take a look at the brass. I have tried it with some fire formed brass I have from other rifles and the final engagement was stiff but workable. Of course that could have been the brass. I am not going to load any live ammo inside the house to check that.

Rifle is manufactured by Maltby.

Thank you. Can you point me at a good reference site or book. I spent most of last evening checking sites and came up dry. I pulled the handguards off and found inside of the handguards marked with SL over N over 74. Is what I am thinking is a weird looking AK mark the Maltby mark? I fired the rifle this morning after reading Badger's information about headspace. I was using SA PMP. After firing I compared the five expended cartridge casings to some of the original, loaded rounds and could see no deformities at all of the brass, just some change in the color of the brass due probably to the heat. I will get the mic out later and see if there was any stretching but I can't see any by just looking. I appreciate all the help here. If someone is looking for a #4Mk1 I would recommend these based on what I received. I did note that I had the camera set to B&W and will try to post some more pics after a while. Should turn out nice as we have some sun finally here in Kansas.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SGTHurley

I appreciate all the help here. If someone is looking for a #4Mk1 I would recommend these based on what I received. I did note that I had the camera set to B&W and will try to post some more pics after a while. Should turn out nice as we have some sun finally here in Kansas.

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Actually, the B/W photography gives a nice historic ambiance to the old girl ... :)

Here's a link that will help with official markings. :thup:

It's a site provided by Amatikulu with some good information to bookmark for the future.

Lee Enfield Rifle Markings (click here)

Also, check out the MKL and specifically the category marked Enfield Rifles or United Kingdom for a lot of good information and background .. ;)

Regards,
Doug

I thank you, sir. Now I will be studying this afternoon. And taking a few more pictures. I still need to fully disassemble the old rifle and clean it properly then put some protective oil on it. What do you suppose I should do about the surface rust on the magazine? Fine sand it and paint it again with a good gloss black as it appears that is what is on it now? The bands appear to be painted as well but the rifle barrel and action themselves seem to have a dark phosphate finish.

For headspacing, here's one link:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=10

(Headspacing 101)

There's tons more in older threads as the subject seems to come up often.


ETA, ah, you found it first! Good enough.