Lee ENfield No.4 sideways barrel movement

[Joje]

Hi,

This is my forst post on this forum and I have to say, a lot of knowledge can be found here! I'm in the possesion of a Candadian Arsenals CNo4 mk1* from 1950, and my barrel can move to the left ever so slightly. (I also have a 1944 Long Branche No4 mk1* but that's been deactivated) The rifle does have good up-pressure, but with some force I can push the end of the barrel slightly to the left. The barrel looks to be in the middle of the barrel channel, and there's no wood touching the barrel from the reinforce until the pressure area at the forend. Does anyone have an idea if this is normal?

Yours sincerely,

Jorrit

Information

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[CINDERS]

Read this post to get the drift on the bedding.
https://www.google.com/url?client=in...KGuauXdSbSXrDe

[Sunray]

Long Branch was the name of the plant ALL Canadian Arsenals No. 4 Rifles were made. A '1950' Long Branch was one of the finest No. 4 Rifles ever made.
"...barrel can move..." How? If you push on the muzzle on any No. 4 it'll appear to move.

[Joje]

Hi,

It will move to the left, but not to the right, when looking at the rifle from above. With some force I can push the end of the barrel slightly to the left. I know an L-E should have 'up-pressure' at the muzzle so that's normal, but the movement to the left concerns me,, if it moved to the right also I would think this is normal, but it doesn't?

Yours sincerely,

Jorrit

[Brian Dick]

The barrel should be free to move a bit both left and right but should snap back to center. This providing there isn't a slight warp which is always possible. It may be bearing high on the right rear end of the forend where it contacts the butt socket. Just a light touch with a file or sanding block on the high side should put it back in the center of the channel providing it isn't caused by a warp. Please take the time to read Peter Laidler's article on fitting forends that is posted here which covers these things in detail. Maybe he'll chime in too with his opinion on your bearings. Fitting forends is a bit of a black art and no two are exactly alike. It's a never ending learning process for nimrods like myself but I'm getting better with each one I fit. I always chuckle to myself when guys take a perfectly good original forend off because it has some handling marks from service and replace it with new wood for cosmetic reasons. If they don't pay attention to detail, they'll find they have a rifle that looks new but doesn't shoot worth a crap. Food for thought.

[Joje]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your information. I just read the article of Peter Laidler on fitting forends and it was very informative and interesting! As for your chuckling, I understand that completely and I myself don't mind if my rifle looks like it's been used (considering it shoots well). I actually like a bit of character in a rifle.

Yours sincerely,

Jorrit

[Brian Dick]

Hi Jorrit,

You at least have a basic knowledge now of what to look for. I went to the trouble not long ago of patching and refinishing to spec a Savage No.4 forend to use in a restoration I was doing for a good friend. After getting it all pretty and ready to install, I assembled it and it was warped like a banana at the muzzle end! Boy, did I feel stupid because the only thing I didn't do was try it on first before expending all of that time and energy on it! Lesson learned and it won't happen again. It was not serviceable at all and may be a candidate for a replacement L42 forend some day if the need ever arises. The only way to repair a warp like that is to cut it off.

Brian

[Joje]

Hi,

I just fitted the forestock of my 1944 Long Branch (deactivated) to my rifle. It was a perfect fit and a much tighter fit, so I guess the draws of the other stock might be a little worn also. The barrel is now perfectly centered and free too move a tad left/right, I'm happy

Yours sincerely,

Jorrit

[MSW2]

Your next step should be to shoot it and make sure everything is 100%.

[Joje]

Yeah, it's holiday here and the shooting range is closed so no time to test in for the upcoming month

Yours sincerely,

Jorrit