2A1 Ishapore terrible accuracy + other problems

[Alan de Enfield]

I was wondering the same thing re head spacing. I have to say (rightly or wrongly) I've always had my doubts about the strength of the 2A1 action and 7.62x51.

I know the steel is changed, but still, dimensionally, it's a No1 and the somewhat
slim sidewalls of the action body would trouble me, I have my doubts...

I'm afraid you have 'fallen for' the internet rumour that if repeated enough times becomes fact.

The steel is NOT a better grade, it is exactly that as specified for the No1 Mk3.
In fact Peter Laidler bought a dozen 2A / 2A1 and had them tested, several were found to actually be No1 Mk3 and the original markings could be seen under the microscope.

There was an interesting article (some years ago) from the ProofMaster of the Ishapore rifle factory and a section of the article dealt specifically with Lee Enfields.


Extract from “Gun Digest 33rd Anniversary 1979 Deluxe Edition”
Article Author : Mr A G Harrison
Qualification : Former ‘Proof Master’ of the ‘Rifle Factory Proof House, Ishapore, India’

From 1908 to 1950 all military bolt action rifles made at Ishapore were proof tested with a dry-round, followed with by an oiled proof round. The proof cartridge was loaded to 24 tons psi breech pressure, or 15% higher than the service pressure. In 1950 (after the departure, in 1949, of India from British control) the material for the rifle bodies was altered from an EN steel to SWES 48 steel with the recoil shoulder and cam recesses being heat treated. With this change the rifle receivers distorted when oiled proof cartridges were fired. This was discovered when hard and sometimes impossible bolt retraction was experienced. Large quantities of rifles were rejected.
To avoid rejections the authorities ordered discontinuance of the oiled proof round. Therefore from 1950 to the end of SMLE production, rifles made at Ishapore were proof tested with one dry proof only, although the specification still called for both dry and oiled proof. All bolts and bolt heads issued as spares were always proofed with a dry proof round only.

A bolt action rifle similar to the SMLE MkIII*, modified to fire the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, was produced at Ishapore, first in February 1965. The receivers were made of SWES 48 steel (as per the SMLE MkIII*) and with the NATO proof cartridge the receivers were found to distort with both the dry and oiled proof round. The material was changed back to the originally specified EN steel so now the rifles stand up better to dry and oiled proof. After passing proof the barrels are impressed with the Indian national proof stamp. The bolt handles and bolt head claws are struck with the crossed flags only.



You could say that the 2A / 2A1 were a better steel than the Ishapore No1 Mk3's, but that is only because the Indians changed the specification of the steel used on the No1 Mk3.
The 2A / 2A1 steel used is the same steel as originally specified for the No1 Mk3 ans is the same as that used by all other No1 Mk3 manufacturers.