No4 Mark II loose rear handguard

[stillhere]

How loose is too loose? Since my micrometer has dead batteries, I'm using the ruler to measure. The guard moves fore and aft about just shy of 1/8th inch. Otherwise, the gun is in truly excellent shape. If this is problematic, what are my options? Will it affect accuracy?
Thanks,

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

It would have been useful to have a photo of the entire handguard. (Heavy hint!) The back end can't move without the front end moving. The ring at the rear does not hold the handguard down, it merely stops it moving backwards and/or falling off! It is at the front of the handguard where the trouble must lie. The front is held down and stopped from moving forwards by the lower barrel band. This sits in a deep groove in the fore-end wood, and unless Bubba has done something drastic, it can hardly move significantly forwards or backwards.

So maybe this is just a case of extreme minus tolerance in the wood size, combined with shrinkage. Or maybe the handguard is not original to that rifle.
A simple cure is to glue a little slice of cork onto the leading edge of the handguard so that it is prevented from moving forwards by butting up aginst the front/upper handguard. But do NOT try and make it a dead fit, which could turn into a jam fit and upset the front end bedding by reducing the upwards pressure on the muzzle as the rear handguard pushes against the front handguard! There is supposed to be some fore-and-aft play, just not as much as in the photo.

In other words, unless the handguard actually falls off, this is a cosmetic error and should not have the slightest effect on shooting performance.

[stillhere]

Thanks for the reply, Patrick. The rear guard does actually move fore and aft with the front guard not moving. I've added a picture of the joint between the forward and rear guards. The forward end of the rear guard does the same thing: gap, then no gap, as the guard is slid forward and rearward. I don't see anything about the forward hand guard that seems out of place. The middle barrel band moves a lot but the screw is tight. It's doubtful that there has been any Bubba because every screw on the rifle is pristine, with the Suncorite finish 100% intact. By the way, this one dates from '52 and appears virtually new, although it has been fired.
Tell me more about your shimming solution. Are you saying to remove the middle barrel band and shim that, just not too tightly? If, like you say, it's cosmetic, maybe I'll just live with it and chalk it up as a British quirk. I really don't want to mess the bedding up, or the screws for that matter. Appreciate your input.
ps. the rifle is temporarily coated with pure Tung oil/turpentine; wood is very dry.

[Peter Laidler]

NEVER seen one that loose fore and aft. Looking at the fit of the lower band in the fore-end, I'd suggest that for some reason or another, the rear handguard is actually too short. Don't ask me why, it just is! There is no repair in my book. Replacement necessary!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Are you saying to remove the middle barrel band and shim that, just not too tightly?

No, just use Pattex, Thixofix, or whatever your local flavor of impact adhesive is called, to glue a slither of cork about 1/16" wide onto the front edge of the rear handguard (where it will not be visible, being covered by the band) as a simple spacer between rear and front handguards. No effect on bedding whatsoever. Use a "Pattex" type adhesive because it takes well on cork, is not brittle, and can be peeled off if necessary at a later date.

---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------

Replacement necessary!

Nice solution if you have the the bits Peter, sitting (as I imagine) on a small mountain of Enfield spares. But those of us out in the desert (as far as Enfield parts are concerned) have to be inventive. My adjustment/fudge (call it what you will) is a doddle. And will work until such time as a properly fitting replacement is available. Of course the thing will still look a bit odd, and I really, really wonder if it is the original handguard...

[stillhere]

Supposing I wanted to replace this piece, how do I go about getting one in more-or-less matching beech? So far, Google has revealed very little.
Would I need to send it to someone to have one fitted? Help!

[ssj]

Ebay, pretty cheap, you may have to buy a few until you get an acceptable colour match, maybe even both top pieces, I ended up with 3 of each.

regards

[Brian Dick]

I probably have one that's close here. It won't have the gloss finish I see in your photos. Just good old RLO. Hit me up if interested.