No. 4 MK1 Enfield zero question

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trbon8r

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I've got an Enfield No 4 MK1 rifle I'm trying to get zeroed in. The rifle shoots high, and my understanding is that front sight blades came in 9 different heights, and you need to find the correct height sight blade to adjust for elevation. That much I'm clear on.

My problem in addition to the rifle shooting high is that I have to drift the front sight way over to one side to get the proper windage. Is there any other means of adjusting windage besides drifting the front sight over so far? It's kind of annoying having it so far off to one side. Is there anything that can be done to correct this problem or am I stuck with it? I'm wondering if maybe the barrel might need to be retorqued?
 
This is a question I've been pondering for quite a while. I have a beautiful No. 4 with a front sight that is way too short and a little off, windage wise.

The windage problem can be helped, I believe, with the logically-named Sight Adjustment Tool. The reason I say "I believe" is that there are a couple of different backsights for the LE, and one of them may have required such a tool, but more likely it is for fixing just the front sight problem that you and I are having. (And if I weren't scrimping to buy wedding bands I'd own that critter!)

The fronts do come in different heights and I saw a website with several of them. Unfortunately now all I can find is the Numrich site which doesn't mention blade height.

The most free expertise you'll find on the web may come from the appropriate Gunboards forum. I reckon they know much more than I (e.g. I know nothing about barrel retorquing; I was lucky enough to get an arsenal-repaired model with a shiny unused barrel).
 
The windage problem can be helped, I believe, with the logically-named Sight Adjustment Tool. The reason I say "I believe" is that there are a couple of different backsights for the LE, and one of them may have required such a tool, but more likely it is for fixing just the front sight problem that you and I are having. (And if I weren't scrimping to buy wedding bands I'd own that critter!)
Click to expand...

That tool is designed for the Pattern 1914 rifle, which is not a Lee-Enfield. It may or may not work.
 
Oh ... duh ... it even says P14 right there. (That's the Enfield that uses the Mauser action in case someone is wondering.) Thanks for clearing that up.

I do remember hearing something about how to adjust the front on an LE #4. I'll do some more head-scratching (websurfing).

Meanwhile, here's some advice from the Parallax board on problem of sight heights.
 
I am not sure about the Enfield but many of the military rifles are set to have the sights bottom out at a 300 yard zero which translates to something that is going to be 6 inches or better high at 100 yards
 
Enfield's had front sights heights from -.030 to +030. as I recall. You need to find a higher front sight or handload and use a lighter bullet ala 123 gr. or 150. The lighter the bullet the lower your poi will be as it leaves the bbl. quicker than a heavier bullet (all other things being equal).
 
I use the ladder sights on mine,better sight picture and adjustable for elevation.
 
351 WIN,I don't think that is always the case.With my Venezuelan mauser and Persian mauser heavier bullets actually shoot alot lower that lighter grain bullets.
 
The Enfield No4 battle sight is set up with a 300 yard zero. The milled rear sight will give you 200 to 1300 yards. The L type flip sight is I believe set for 300-600 yards, I've never used that sight.
I do know that the milled sights with the proper front sight are pretty much on the money out to 1000 yards with surplus ammunition. I have a couple that have the front sight drifted over pretty far to get the windage set, you just have to live with it.

The only windage adjustable rear sight I know of is the Parker Hale 5c, but it requires reaming out the rear sight pin holes so you cant put the rear sight back on properly.
 
Okay, I think I know what I need to do now. (The first thing is join a rifle club after this confounding "moving to a new state" nonsense is done with!) I've got a micrometer (does that mean it's automatically milled?) rear sight, which I put on all by myself (a very proud moment for a 10-thumbed neophyte).

So I should dial it down to the very shortest range (200 yards) and see if my front sight is still too low. At that point I'll select a new front (imported from the UK if necessary) and try that one. At some point, if I find a suitable range, I could make my own range calculation to amend what has been etched onto the sight.

Or maybe I should be selecting a front to go with the battle sight. I don't know much about the battle sight, like what range it is for and if it is too much of a "ghost ring" to be precise. My eventual goal is to shoot in cast-bullet silhouette matches and/or the "As Issued Foreign Military" division of a CMP match. Before that I'll have to settle on a type of ammo.
 
do you have a ladder sight?,on both of mine elevation for 100yds is no problem.Now windage from what I have heard means taking of the sight protector and either tapping with a brass punch or using a sight tool.
 
Now windage from what I have heard means taking of the sight protector and either tapping with a brass punch or using a sight tool.
Click to expand...

If this is the case, I may be doing things the wrong way. I'm drifting the front post itself over using a brass punch. The front post is sitting far over to one side of the dovetail.
 
I'll have to look at it,you may be able to tap the sight without taking of the "ears".That may only be needed if using a sight tool.
 
I can adjust mine with a drift without taking the sight protector off but it is easier if you do, its only one screw. Just remember that your adjusting the front sight for windage, so if your hitting to the right you need to move the sight to the right. I believe Springfield Sporters has sight blades.
 
Is the forend warped and pushing the barrel over at one side (common with poorly seasoned wartime timber)? Barrel should bear down evenly on the forend and it should be possible to push it a bit in either left or right direction
 
I think the front sight windage thing is just something thats common and kind of the norm with these rifles. I have six No4's and its like that on 4 of them including my best shooter. In my case most all are drifted to the left, with two of them to the extreme left. I have had the fore stocks off and can't see any warp-age using a straightedge.
 
The front sight is where the windage is adjusted. It is possible that the front sight base could be off to one side, causing the blade to be set to one side to get a zero. I adjust the mk1 (milled) resr sight all the way down below th 200 for range shooting. The #4's battle sight is 300 yards, even on the mk2 flip rear sight. There is a reverse set screw usually in front of the front sight blade that should be loosened (I made a tool from an allen wrench and a dremmel) to drift the front sight.

For those rifles with the front sight all the way over to one side, have you had the rear sight off the rifle during initial cleaning. It is possible to put the mk2 flip on backward and that will mess up your sighting in and shooting.

IMAG0006.jpg

Not real easy to see, but the flip on the Savage on the bottom has the 300/600 flip, and it should be offset to the left.

On the current 7 #4mk1's and the #5mk1, al the front sights are pretty much centered.
 
Helpful Information on Enfield Rifles

This site has some very good information on the various Enfield rifles, including how to zero the sights. http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ti15.htm

Basically, it is not too difficult, but as with all things British, it somewhat resembles tying one's shoelaces using only elbows.
 
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