Finally! An SMLE (Ishapore)

[englishman_ca]

Over time, the back of the sheet metal of the magazine gets compressed from being inserted. As Peter mentioned the back might be bowed in a little bit. Quick fix that needs three hands.
Take the mag, remove the platform and spring, flip it onto its spine and position it on the bench on two slats of wood to support it at the sides on the outer edges. Then make a hardwood drift that will fit inside the body and position it to push the back of the mag back outwards. Using a precision 8oz instrument hammer, give it one little tap and try it in the rifle.
Give it another tap and keep going until it will lock in solid. It doesn't take much to push the sheet metal back out, the most difficult part being juggling everything on the bench, it will be fun.
A lot easier to do if you can get somebody to hold the thing while you work the hammer and drift.

Works like a charm, I tighten up my mags as a matter of course. It might sound good when presenting arms, but I hate a rattling rifle.



And I have a feeling that this is going to make me smile....Peter, what is a 'blanket stacker'?

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[browningautorifle]

what is a 'blanket stacker'?

A supply trade individual. Box kickers...bin rats...

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, BAR has got it in one! He's obviously been there and cursed a few of them. Not generally the brightest lights in the box, they can be a godsend - or a total belligerent PITA. It is the sole purpose of every crunchie to see what he can stea.........., er....., 'liberate' from the blanket stackers stores

[browningautorifle]

Not generally the brightest lights in the box

Most of them couldn't make it as a cook (Eggwelder)so they went binrat. The good ones were the ones that remustered from Infantry and understood what it was to suffer with inferior kit and the fact that everything is expendable at the bottom level. Controlled but expendable. They could be truly helpful.

[cipherk98]

Thanks for the advice thus far on fixing it. Looking at it with the follower and spring out it becomes more obvious the back is bowed in especially towards the top. I suspect this happened when the original serial was crossed out and the new one stamped. Little work with a dowel and it looks good now. Should have it on the range by tomorrow afternoon.

[browningautorifle]

it becomes more obvious the back is bowed in

Right, that makes perfect sense. Let us know...

[cipherk98]

Here is the final verdict. I did manage to get it to work and stay in while shooting. The problem is the moment you take the mag out and put it back in, the force of the catch/spring and motion bows it back out. Probably just too worked over. I will likely acquire another mag body for shooting, our local matches require detachable mags be dropped for safety at matches, so while I've found I can gently undo the bowing with the mag in the action by means of a flat head, I suspect this will work it to the point of breaking if I keep doing it.

As an aside, the ammo is a certain bust. I tried some from the bottom of the tin and it was also lightly corroded with the occasional click bang. Too bad as it's extremely accurate stuff for surplus.

In addition I did actually find a grenade launching cup at a local gun show a bit ago but at $140 it was a little much imo. Maybe down the road I will find another to complete it. However, the repro sling from Sarco is really nice, it doesn't look cheap and "off" at first glance like the leather US slings I've gotten from them. Drag it through the mud and leave it out for a few days and I think it will match the "look" of the gun.

[browningautorifle]

the final verdict.

Well, remembering the mag was supposed to just stay in and that all makes sense. Loading from the top would eliminate problems that way. Another mag can be found though...

[cipherk98]

Well, remembering the mag was supposed to just stay in and that all makes sense. Loading from the top would eliminate problems that way. Another mag can be found though...

I agree, but unfortunately they are insistent on dropping them in SMLEs...

[Doco overboard]

The wire wrap is interesting to me, I would like to see one up close to be able to tell how the wire is started and stopped or served together. Could it be stapled under the wrap; started, wound and then reversed through itself at the last wrap or two and then pulled tight so its smooth?