Collecting Tips for Lee-Enfields (No. 1 Mk. III/*s, No. 4s, No. 5s)

[Brian Dick]

Guessing if you want original gauges, the place to find them is on Ebay. A good machinist could make them. All are separate sizes.

The only HS gauges required are the .064 Go and .074 No-Go.

[Pedantic_Potato]

Guessing if you want original gauges, the place to find them is on Ebay. A good machinist could make them. All are separate sizes.

The only HS gauges required are the .064 Go and .074 No-Go.

I will add those gauges to my frequently searched pages on eBay, and I'll look around where I live to see if there's a quality machinist working about as a backup. Is this tool like one of the gauges you speak of? SM 126 ArmourersÂ*plug - Barrel Reject Gauge for 303.

Copy that on the required headspace gauges, that'll save some money instead of a full set.

[Bindi2]

B D is spot on . I have some three sets, two set and some machinist made look like a bullet. You only need two .064 and .074. close and no close that's it. If the bolt closes on the .074 the action needs a very close examination as to why, a larger head may not correct a more serious problem only hide it for a short time.

[Bindi2]

P D your headspace only needs to be between .064 and .074 to be perfectly in spec because that allows for different sized rims a little mud and the pair of wet socks that need drying out. Lee Enfields work best and were made to have clearance. That's why they are a very good battle rifle come knock about shooters.

[Brian Dick]

I should clarify that the sizes I posted are late Field/Base workshop specs. The gauging standards were simplified a bit. The .308 gauge posted on the BRP site is legit and can also be used to check the muzzle. Here are the earlier specs from a 1943 Canadian Extracts from Instructions for Armourers.

.301 must run
.307 must not run
.308 should not enter the muzzle more than .25"
.310 should not enter the breech more than .25"

---------- Post added at 10:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 AM ----------

FYI: The first Ethiopian SMLE I checked the .310 ran straight through the bore and fell out the muzzle. That was a first! The rifle I fixed yesterday, (a 1942 Maltby), has a good original British 2 groove barrel that gauges well in spec.. Go figure.

[WillSarchet]

Precision ground pin gauges only cost a couple dollars apiece. If I didn't have a full case it would be well worth the $10 or so to get a .301+, .307-, .308- and .310-.

[Pedantic_Potato]

I should clarify that the sizes I posted are late Field/Base workshop specs. The gauging standards were simplified a bit. The .308 gauge posted on the BRP site is legit and can also be used to check the muzzle. Here are the earlier specs from a 1943 Canadian Extracts from Instructions for Armourers.

That .308 gauges was the only original gauge that I was able to find from a couple hours of searching last night, but am I correct in reasoning that all the other gauges that are listed (.301, .307, .310) are all the same looking? I'm thinking of picking that .308 gauges up for a reference point in case I have to have the other three custom made.
Here's a couple muzzle/throat gauges I found online that are new manufactured: Beaton Firearms 303 Throat Gauge | Beaton Firearms & https://pacifictoolandgauge.com/muzz...ion-gauge.html.
Any other advice on sources for the muzzle/bore/throat gauges?

I also did some more reading on other posts rom the forum about Enfield gauges. Are the Forster NO-GO ones that you can custom order today for sure .074 (I know there's been issues with that in the past with regards to SAAMI)?
Any one have any experience with Manson Reamers and their headspace gauges? (I saw it mentioned on a post on the forum from 2017). BRP has original MoD GO .064 gauges, but not the NO GO .074 one.
EDIT: Pacific Tool & Gauges seems to have a non-SAAMI spec NO-GO gauge ( I cannot spell gauge consistently to save my life) 303 British (SAAMI) Headspace Gauges - Pacific Tool and Gauge.

Thank you very much for all this quality information!

[Roger Payne]

I would also concur with Brian that so long as you have the gauges he mentions then you have the essentials. Out of curiosity more than anything I enclose photo's of Go & No-Go gauges in .303 specifically intended for the P'14 rifle. As with the 'standard' gauges they are just .064" & .074". I am not absolutely sure why they are contoured as they are, but wonder if it may be to protect against chamber damage from 'mis-feeds' using the rather more 'abrupt' turn bolt action of the P'14 compared to the Lee Enfields proper.... Would be delighted to hear if someone can quote us chapter & verse on it!

[Brian Dick]

I don't know anything about the commercial gauges being offered up. Guessing they will do the job.

I was told by a client in California that Forster did make a small run of .074 military spec. No-Go gauges. As I instructed earlier, call them and ask for Scott. He can fix you up providing they are still available. He only had a half dozen several weeks ago so if you want one, act on it because I've told a number of people about them. I remember when I had the superb quality sets of three from Arrowmark Tool and Gauge in Australia. They included the .067 which is a Vickers MMG gauge. The sets ran $80 or so and folks wouldn't buy them. Graham stopped making them because of poor sales. Now anyone who thinks that's a lot of money for precision gauges should go collect stamps instead of rifles IMHO. I'm sure glad I kept a set for myself. His bolt disassembly tools and other tools were also excellent. Anyhow, why the .074 isn't a standard product at these manufacturers is anyone's guess since the discussion and demand has been going on for more years than I can remember. The .064 Go gauge is the same as SAAMI.

[Pedantic_Potato]

I was told by a client in California that Forster did make a small run of .074 military spec. No-Go gauges. As I instructed earlier, call them and ask for Scott. He can fix you up providing they are still available. He only had a half dozen several weeks ago so if you want one, act on it because I've told a number of people about them.

Copy that. I'll follow up on that opportunity. You've certainly made a customer for gauges out of me!