Lee Enfield mark III .308 parts

[supraneurotoxin]

I have a badly damaged Enfield mark III .308 that I haven't been able to find any parts for. when I recieved it(for free) it was missing the front compensator, the bore was damaged to the point that my local gun shop advised against shooting it, and the rear part of the stock was missing(it did however, come with the large bolt that holds the stock in)
I could buy a new gun for a pretty reasonable price, but since it's not something I'd go out of my way to buy anyway, I'd just as soon fix the rifle I have.

I suppose what I'm looking for is a new stock set(ideally with the hardwear, or at least something to go on the end of the barrel) and a barrel. does anyone know where to find these? will parts from a .303 fit my rifle?

 

[SMLE]

What you're describing sounds like a Gibbs chop job on an Ishapore 2A1 to make it a pseudo "jungle carbine".
Try Springfield Sporters for starters.

 

[slugcatcher]

It would be cheaper to buy another one in better condition.

 

[DougW]

A .308 Enfield is an Ishapore manufactured rifle from India. Very few parts will interchange. I do not know what you mean by a compensator, unless it is as SMLE said, a Gibbs chopped rifle. I am not sure if a butt stock from a #1mkIII will fit. An Ishapore manufactured #1mk3 butt stock should. Also, keep in mind that "local gun shop owners" may not be very well versed in a milsurp type of rifle. The crud in the bore might come clean with some work, and the barrel could be fine. OR, he could be right. I have seen a majority of gun shops that don't want to know anything about a military bolt action rifle, and would rather sell you a Remington 700 in .308. One of my local gun shops have called me to look at old milsurps, and I am no expert. But, they know their limitations, and I love researching the old rifles, especially the British .303's.

 

[supraneurotoxin]

the compensator(I don't know what else to call it) I was refering to is the metal piece on the end where the bayonet would go. mine appeared to be missing something, and when I saw an ishapore online(www.aimsurplus.com) it did have piece on the end that mine did not. my rifle seems to be the same length as the one in the picture I saw(the full size, not the jungle carbine)
how can I find out if my barrel is ok to shoot or not, short of testing it out?

 

[DMK]

Was it a compensator or a flash suppressor?

You can get the F/S from Numrich:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=527250&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

In fact, you can get son of the other parts from them too. The .303 would should fit. Might not be exact, but it should work.

 

[supraneurotoxin]

it looks exactly like this:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Enf-2A__Enfield_2A_.308_NATO_7.62x51_Rifles.html
of course, without the bayonet lug piece on the end, and no shoulder stock.
I deeply wish I could figure out how to upload pics.

 

[doubleg]

Why not use this rifle for a conversion? I found a sight online that can convert Lee Enfield's to a couple different calibers. Then you can look around for another Enfield thats in better shape.

Here is their 7.62X39 conversion. It takes single stack AK mags.
http://specialinterestarms.com/#Enfield K

You can get the parts through the mail or send it to them and have them do it for you.

Edit: Sorry nevermind they won't work on Ishapores.

 

[Slamfire]

I recieved it(for free) it was missing the front compensator, the bore was damaged to the point that my local gun shop advised against shooting it, and the rear part of the stock was missing(it did however, come with the large bolt that holds the stock in)

You can call places like Jack First http://www.jackfirstgun.com/orderinfo.html or Numrich, and try to get the missing parts. But I am afraid to tell you the cost of replacement, will probably be much more than the rifle is worth. I suspect most parts are file to fit. I do not know anyone who rebarrels Lee Enfields, I suspect starting with a barrel blank will cost you $300.00 or so.

By a complete rifle and use this for parts. Or just part it out the wood and stock metal and you may help someone else resurrect a similiar rifle. The action is worth keeping, or selling as a unit. Someone like DoubleG may want to build a complete rifle around it. Which would be pretty neat.

 

[DougW]

I think what you are referring to as a "compensator" is actually the nose cap. The nose cap covered the end of the stock and the barrel was nearly flush with the nose cap (on #1mk3). Springfield Sporters is my suggestion for parts and the butt stock. You will probably need more bits and pieces to restore back to origional.



The top is a #1mkIII 1942 Lithgow, the middle is a ShtLE mkIII= 1917 BSA, the bottom is an Ishapore #1mk3 1950 w/ grenade launching cup. Hopefully this is what you are looking for.

 

[supraneurotoxin]

thanks guys
I'm going to get in touch with springfield sporters on monday for the missing parts. they have a detailed schematics there too, so I can see what else I'm missing.