A Few Questiions re Serial Nos on No4 rifles

[Robert303]

At the the range today I caught a brief glimpse of a No4 with a serial number X1 followed by other nos. The number was to the muzzle end of the left receiver wall. It struck me as unusual. I have had a look via the search engine but find nothing. Any ideas?

I was there to look at a No4 Mk2 7.62 Target Rifle. Marked on the receiver ring 'Parker Hale' 'Regulated by Fultons'. Nice CR marked magazine, Parker Hale 5C sight, tunnel foresight, brass elements holder box. Good price as coming from a friend, slightly odd to me serial no in that it was just five numerals with no code letters. The number is 1399 followed by two other numbers. Did Parker Hale have their own numbering series?

The rifle shot well with a No 0 bolt head, it extracted and flipped the case over so that the case mouth faced the shooter and laid on the next round in the magazine but would NOT eject. Knowing this site was the font of all knowledge I had a go at the search engine and found the thread that pointed out that a CR marked magazine follower did NOT mean it was a 7.62 magazine!

So once again Many Thanks to all those who have contributed useful and good information like this.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Lee Enfield]

[QUOTE=Robert303;338911]snip...
The rifle shot well with a No 0 bolt head, it extracted and flipped the case over so that the case mouth faced the shooter and laid on the next round in the magazine but would NOT eject. Knowing this site was the font of all knowledge I had a go at the search engine and found the thread that pointed out that a CR marked magazine follower did NOT mean it was a 7.62 magazine!

...snip..QUOTE]

It sounds to me as though you have a .303 extractor on your rifle, it will have enough grip on a 7.62 case to extract it, but not enough sideways pressure against the receiver wall to eject it.

[Robert303]

Oddly enough this has popped up on that well known auction site Ref No 321822555361. Yesterday I might have burnt my fingers! As a matter of interest should the CR No be on one side / both sides / the bottom of the magazine box?

[SpikeDD]

The CR numbers on mine are on the follower and the left side of the magazine body as it sits in the rifle.

[Robert303]

Thanks for that mine are the same.

[Robert303]

Attachment 64517Attachment 64516Attachment 64518Attachment 64519Attachment 64520Here are some pictures of what I have been assured is a GENUINE 7.62 Magazine, alongside a .303 Mag. I have marked the ejector tab in red. Reading an earlier article from Peter Laidler it appears that this tab is liable to break off on the mags with original followers but with 'Aftermarket' bodies, His article shows how to repair this. There are also tips and hints to ensure that 1) You do not obstruct the bolt with it and 2) You do not take the tab off again. Hope this is of help.

I'm still thinking of building an Enforcer 'Look alike' I do not want to alter an L39 or an Envoy so am looking at a No4 Mk 2 / 1/2 1/3 as a base. Is a T4 worth considering? It's here that a few odd bits of info have cropped up.

I have been told by one person that the extractor spring for the 7.62 is different to that for .303 others have told me they are the same. Can I ask which is it, the same or different? Was the old 303 bolt head used unalterd / altered / completely modified? If modified has anyone got any pictures they can post so that I know what I'm looking for?

Bedding: I've read enough to know that this is a 'Dark Art', that if you have a No4 that shoots well 'Leave it alone!' However at the risk of grossly simplifying things can I assume that Heavy barrels as used on the L39 / Envoy / T4s and the like can be left 'Free Floating.' Having said that some talk of bedding under the knox and others just short of the end of the cut down woodwork. What's the consensus on this?

[Peter Laidler]

The ejector knib breaks off the repro mag cases where the spot welds are '.....found wanting'. Oh yes it does contrary to what the real experts tell you. Extractor spring exactly the same but I do know that some rascally dealers do tell you that they have a supply of real L42 springs. Bolt heads are dimensionally identical too but proofed to.............. Oh, don't get me going on this subject between the two proof loads and spoil my day

[Robert303]

Thanks Peter. I had noticed that 19 v 20 got you rather steamed up! Your articles were very informative and have helped me to get a few ideas together and to have a decent check list when I look at what's on offer.

[Peter Laidler]

You could easily re-profile a 4T barrel to L42 spec for a repro whatever you're doing. What's under the fore-end/handguard is academic.