New guy here, with Lee-Enfield N0. 4 Mk 2

[flintlock28]

Thanks guys for the replies; I've decided that I will De-grease it, and shoot it. I will use 100% Mineral Spirits on both the wood and metal, since I know from a Master wood restorer, that true Mineral Spirits won't hurt any Wood finishes.

I'm glad someone wrote not to use Acetone on the Metal...i didn't realize the Acetone will likely ruin the factory finish.

In regards to taking it to the range; is 150, 174, or 180 grain recommended for shooting at 100 yards? I've heard at 100 yards to use the flip up vertical sight, since the non-sliding peep is set for 300 yards.

thanx

[Ridolpho]

Flintlock: I recently cleaned the storage grease off of mine (the guy I bought it from had pulled it out of the wrap and set it on a table at a gunshow dripping grease). I dipped the metal in kerosene using a wall paper dipping plastic trough and it did a splendid job on the grease (need to run patches through the bore at the same time). Gave it all a thorough oiling afterwords. The wood I cleaned with nothing more than raw linseed oil- nothing stronger was required. It has not a scratch or ding anywhere on it and I don't plan to shoot it as I suspect normal use would slowly ratchet the value down. One thing I did notice during the cleaning was that there were traces of rust in a couple of spots in spite of the presence of the ancient grease. Depending upon the climate where you live I'm not sure leaving one in the wrap is a great idea.

Ridolpho

[newcastle]

Keep it as is and buy another to shoot initially. It is a FACT that Enfields multiply and you'll be buying more in future anyhow, so face it and deal with it sooner rather than later.

[ssj]

But take it from me Flintlock, the value WILL go down. But mine will go UP because there's one less! But the old farts can only gently tell the young bloods so much............

So you are getting your no4 mk2 still in wraps buried with you Peter?

---------- Post added at 08:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 PM ----------

I would leave it in wraps for now and go get another mk2 gun someone has already done the cleaning on, there are good ones around. Later when experienced then consider bringing it to life. PS Here in NZ such an example in wraps would be about $2500NZD, $1700US so to pay $700US is to me a very good deal.

[newcastle]

One note on the leaving them in the wrapper. Because you cannot be 100% certain of where they've been before I have my wrapped No.4s also stored in Z-core anti corrosion bags. Actually have most of my rifles in them actually because of a house move 4 years ago but those are staying there until I have my gun room set up correctly.

[flintlock28]

Thanks for the replies; I will consider not de-greasing it, and possibly getting a like model "beater", for shooting. My home is always climate controlled, plus my gun safe usually has a dessicant in it, and I've never had an issue with rust. I also use Eezox as a lubricant, which is one of the best anti-rust lubricants.

I'm really champing at the bit to shoot this; I hope my resolve holds out to get a beater instead.

[Peter Laidler]

Wise man Flintlock!

[newcastle]

You don't need to get a "beater " either. You can find a practically new No.4 for about $400 odd if you poke about carefully

[mrclark303]

Oddly the price of a really clean, matching No4 here in the UK is some way north of 400 US. (People pay more than that to rebarrel them).

You would struggle to find a shot out scrapper for the equivalent £300 here..

[Peter Laidler]

But to be fair, he's not in the UK, he's in the the US of A where prices are a tad more realistic. It's like buying a new car. You can buy a new car here in the UK where '....the list price is the list price...' or go to Europe where the list price is the high point from which you start your downwards spiralling negotiations. That's why the Europeans call the UK 'Treasure Island'