L42a1 Trigger Guard Loop Survey

[jmoore]

This has cropped before and it seems as though many don't have the loop. But the L42's here, on the sniper div had them and so did all those that I ever encountered. I say this because the L42 EMER didn't mention that it could be removed - so it stayed.

I never used the trigger guard screw swivel (and I was never a sniper) but the reason it was retained was so that the sling didn't twist.

Your previous comments are what prompted this inquery. It seems to be a quirk specific to L42's as it seems the vast majority all "regular" No.4(T) rifles still have them.

I'm just curious how many stray from EMER proper spec.

From the previous page the totals just from the posts are (correct me if this doesn't add up- not much time to "cipher"):

With : 4
Without: 14

NOTE: Running totals will stay on Pg 1 entry #1 for now.

[Cold_Zero]

Two L42s: 71 with loop, 71 without loop

[Peter Laidler]

I accept that most don't have them and maybe this was a relaxation in strandards during the conversion programme but I can't find anyone who knows about it.

[jmoore]

Let's let this play out a while and see what kind of numbers that we can generate.

Anybody interested in doing an upper handguard survey as well?
I.e. Smooth, "Short" grooved, "Long" Grooved/Converted...

Maybe buttstock lengths, but that was subject to change w/ the operator.

Can't think of anything else to sample that might show up at random.

[FlightRN]

Greetings,
Mine was converted in June of 1972. The wire loop has been removed.


Regards,
Michael

[DanL96a1]

I have two both are Lee Enfiled BSA 45's originally, both 1971 conversion without loops. Converted in Jan 1972.

[bradtx]

Just a thought, but is there a right and wrong way to install the trigger guard swivel WRT to the loop? If so, is mine in post 5 correct or incorrect...I don't use that swivel, but again, just wondering.

Brad

[wbs2111]

Have two, both '71 conversions, both with out loops.

[arado]

Mine has the loop. I acquired the rifle ten years ago untouched in it's case. I never fired it. It has it's original scope and case. No IWS. A chamber stick from a forum member. I was wondering the purpose of the serial number check to determine date of conversion and disposition. Is it to authenticate? I'll get mine checked. Thanks Gary

[Peter Laidler]

Thinking off the wall so to speak on this matter, I wonder if a decision was made, high up in the Ordnance or at the Maintenance Advisory Group (we call them 'the MAG's) a decision was made regarding Cadet Force No4 rifles. Maybe, after looking at this situation where a decision was made to the effect that
'.....if you think we're going to reject hundreds (and maybe thousands if it affected the No4 as well as the L39 and 42) of trigger guards because the loop for the now obsolete action cover is missing or formulating a repair programme to rectify the situation, then you're wrong. And if the sling twists on the swivel, then that's tough!'
A similar situation arose on several other occasions. One that I do remember was the bayonet standard on the Sterling Mk4/L2A3 sub machine gun. In the latter days, if this came loose or broke off (it was brazed inside tha casing.....) then it was simply removed, made good and that's how it stayed. Earlier, if this happened, you brazed it back or if it was lost, you scrapped the whole gun!.

That's just a thought about the work of the MAG's. But if they DID decree this, it never got to me