Lee Enfield No 5 Mk 1 Jungle Carbine Restoration.

Jack19 · Jan 25, 2016

I've got a BSA No5 Mk1 that I am trying to "un-Bubba."

Three issues that I'm having trouble solving:

1. At some point in it's life, Bubba cut back the flash hider to just ahead of the barrel and removed the bayonet lug. Unfortunately, No5 Mk1 flash hiders are as scarce as elephants in the Arctic. I've tried a "new" manufacture from Apex, with poor results, and returned it.

Can anyone recommend a source for these? Anywhere. Failing this, maybe I'll just leave it.

2. I've been able to restore all but the rear sight pins that hold the flip up vertical. Replaced the horizontal pin that holds on the rear sight, but need advice on the additional parts that hold that pin on and those that hold it vertical when flipped up. Any advice on those is also appreciated.

3. Bubba drilled three holds in the left side of the receiver to mount a sight base. The holes obscure the original "No5 Mk1" BSA electro pencil by about 50%. I, originally, considered having them welded up, but I'm concerned that will destroy what's left of the original engraving. Is there any harm in leaving them?

At this point, I'm trying to turn it back into as much as a mil-surp shooter as I am able....all advice appreciated.

Trying to bring back 2016 to 1945...absolutely a difficult travel in time. But, I'm determined. Otherwise, this rifle is in almost perfect condition.

Ash · Jan 25, 2016

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/254060.htm

Steel Horse Rider · Jan 25, 2016

I also have a project No 5 that I have had for a few years. I was able to get a flash hider from Numrich but I have not yet been able to break the barrel free from the receiver so I can get it into my lathe to turn the barrel and press a sleeve on so the flash hider will fit properly. I bought a barrel vise and gave it a couple good attempts but have not had time nor opportunity to give it more of a go for a couple years. As for the holes, perhaps some blank screws and locktite to plug them. I wouldn't weld it as I think that would make the bubba effect more unsightly than it already is.

carbine85 · Jan 26, 2016

You might try fitting some screws into the receiver and grinding off the heads. The orignal finish for those is paint so you should be able to get a matching finish.
Anybody know what the original finish is? I have one that I want to refinish.

lysanderxiii · Jan 26, 2016

The original finish was paint over parkerization.

Something Better · Jan 27, 2016

You could bondo and sand the holes

lemaymiami · Jan 27, 2016

This site might provide an additional info source for you -I've been using it for a carbine... this is the specific board for Lee Enfield milsurps...
http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

bainter1212 · Jan 27, 2016

As far as the rear sight goes, you will see a hole just underneath that rear sight cross pin. In that hole, you are supposed to have a spring with a specific plunger that presses up on the sight and keeps it vertical.
This spring and plunger are available, I had to order a set to restore a No 4 recently. I probably ordered from Numrich.

As far as the holes go, I would second the suggestion of threading a few set screws in and the grinding flush.

As for the finish....that was paint over parkerization. Not too long ago, there was an aerosol product called "British Black" that was supposed to approximate the same stuff used on the rifles. Last time I checked, nobody had that stuff in stock anymore.

EDIT: Here is a link to the flash hider: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/254060.htm

Rear sight plunger: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/487330.htm

Rear sight plunger spring: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/487340.htm

Here is some British Black! And here I thought that was a thing of the past.... http://www.desertfoxsales.com/BRITISH_BLACK_GUN_SPRAY_PAINT_p/dfs-344.htm

Please show her off when you are all finished! A range report would be nice too.......my No 5 is a heck of a shooter.

carbine85 · Jan 27, 2016

Here is some British Black! And here I thought that was a thing of the past.... http://www.desertfoxsales.com/BRITIS..._p/dfs-344.htm

Do any of you guys know if that's actually a high gloss paint?
Is it baked on?

bainter1212 · Jan 27, 2016

carbine85 said:
Do any of you guys know if that's actually a high gloss paint?
Is it baked on?

It says it is a semi gloss.

Otherwise I don't know about baking. In my experience, paint cures way harder on metal when it is hot so it may be the way to go.

There may be directions on the can as well.

Sunray · Jan 27, 2016

Gloss or semi-gloss it's just paint. However, real Suncorite is apparently toxic as Hades. Supposedly carcinogenic.
Nobody is going to check what brand of paint you use.
You'll note that No. 5 rear sights are the same as No. 4 rear sights. Save you some hunting.
Assuming you know what thread size the holes are, Brownell's sells the wee screws used to fill sight screw holes.

bainter1212 · Jan 27, 2016

Sunray said:
You'll note that No. 5 rear sights are the same as No. 4 rear sights. Save you some hunting.

Negative sir. The No. 5 sights go to 800 yds while the No. 4 sights go to 1000.
I think you can use the No. 4 sight, but it wouldn't be correct for the carbine.

Lee Enfield No 5 Mk 1 Jungle Carbine Restoration.

Jack19

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Ash

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Steel Horse Rider

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carbine85

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lysanderxiii

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Something Better

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lemaymiami

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bainter1212

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carbine85

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bainter1212

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Sunray

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bainter1212

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