Thread: Amatuer's guide to Enfield magazines??
Retrieved: 06/03/2014

I was wondering how many different Enfield mags there are. Not by maker or arsenal stamps, just simply how many that would fit one version of rifle but not another. I am aware that the No.1 and No..4 used different mags, but are any interchangeable? Pics to help ID would be nice too.

jmoore
07-24-2009

Actually, a fairly large number of variations and downright different mags have been used. Everything from early single column to 7.62x51 10 (L8/L42a1) and 12 shot (Indian) magazines. Books are a great asset here.

ralfus
07-24-2009

I plan on getting books soon. I saw a mag at the gunshow and the seller didn't know what model it was for and neither did I.

How do you tell the .308 mags from #4 303 mags?

John Sukey
07-24-2009

Basicaly the most common are the SMLE and No.4 magazines. The SMLE mag has a two step rib on the back while the No.4 has a one step rib.

You will rarely encounter a single stack magazine for the Lee Metford or the five round carbine magazine. Yes, I know there are five rounders that will fit the SMLE, but these are cut downs rather than made that way and an original will have a small metal loop at the front for attaching a link to tie it to the carbine.

The only others would be the British .308 mags, one of which will let you feed from the mag and the other intended as a single loading platform for the L39A and the Indian .308 mag for their .308. I am not counting the .22 Hornet mags for the Lithgow conversions.

OOPS almost forgot the 20 round mag. If you find one, you have won the lottery.

ralfus
07-24-2009

Thanks for the replies.

I've been browsing around and now realize that some SMLE mags were notched for the cutoff while others were not. Was the cutoff discontinued at some point and the order given to discard the cutoff and its screw during inspection/repair?

Sunray
07-26-2009

"...How do you tell the 308 mags from #4 303 mags?..."

.308/7.62 mags have square corners and have a different follower.

Peter Laidler
07-27-2009

Here's a good idea Ralfus. Why don't you research the subject and write up a small paper on it. You'll never make a fortune but it'd certainly be a useful guide for all the LE collectors around the world.

303 Collector
07-27-2009

Carbine magazine

Sorry to correct you John. You quote "5 round carbine mag" when I believe they take 6.

John Sukey
07-27-2009

Well, yes.

ralfus
07-28-2009

Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Why don't you research the subject and write up a small paper on it.

That would certainly keep me busy for the next ten years. The hardest part is translating terminology from English English, American English (too many dialects), Canadian English (what is a zed?), Aussie English (cheers), NZ English, Indian English (call tech support/call center English).

Woodchuck
07-28-2009

Who is selling 5/6 round No.4 Mk1 magazines? A friend has a 10 round which is illegal for deer hunting in NYS.

ralfus
07-28-2009

Promag is making them. I've seen some on gunbroker.com

Lithy
07-29-2009

Here are some rough pics of the more common mags.

From L to R Magazine cases 1 through to 4, then a mag for the No.4 Rifle and lastly an Enfield 7.62 mag.

jmoore
07-29-2009

Thanks, Lithy, haven't seen a "2" loose before!

Lithy
07-29-2009

It isn't loose mate. After the pic it went straight back into the QP MkI from whence it came

Steve H. in N.Y.
07-31-2009

Originally Posted by Woodchuck
Who is selling 5/6 round No.4 Mk1 magazines? A friend has a 10 round which is illegal for deer hunting in NYS.

The 5 round limit only applies to autoloading rifles.

Woodchuck
08-03-2009

I'll have to double check that. Can't let erroneous rumors continue spoiling hunting experience!

Bindi2
08-03-2009

Lithy where are the 2a, 2a1 mags?

Lithy
08-04-2009

Assuming your question is where are the 2a and 2a1 mags, please feel free to post pics as I don't own an Indian rifle of any description.

A line has to be drawn somewhere, and mine, excluding a couple of ratty #5s, only 'cause they're soooo sexy and they were used by Diggers in Malaya and Borneo, is Australian Service Rifles.

steve61
08-08-2009

I have a No.1 Mk4 sporterized rifle that, every time the bolt goes foreward it dents the cartridge case (won't chamber after this). Wrong magazine? How do I tell if it's got a bad or wrong mag.?

jmoore
08-08-2009

Steve, if it seats and locks in, then it probably just needs adjusting in the feed lips. sometimes followers and springs foul up, most much less likely.

Lithy
08-08-2009

Assuming you mean that you have a Rifle No4 Mk1 (there is no such animal as a No.1 Mk4), find a mate with another #4 that is working correctly and borrow his mag to try in your rifle. If it works well with the borrowed mag, compare the two paying particular attention to the feed lips. Adjustment may be needed.

jmoore
08-29-2009

Finally... 2A magazine pictures

And 7.62 L8/L42A1 mags

Claven2
08-29-2009

What, nobody has any pics of a single-stack MLLE mag, or all the variants of the .22 cal mags, or the elusive 20rd mag? How about the carbine 5 rounds mag or the BSA Lee-speed sporting rifle mag?

For .22 mags, the most commonly encountered are the No.2 MkIV mag which is a standard SMLE mag with the guts removed and a "22" stamped into the side. After that, you often see the CNo.7 mag with "22" engraved on the side and a loading platform for the .22 shells (single shot) inside the hull. Outwardly, it looks like a No.4 mag. There are, of course, other types but they are not likely to be seen in the wild.

steve61
08-29-2009

Of course your right, it's a No.4 Mk1. I must of been over tired? Thanks for correcting me.

jmoore
08-30-2009

Closest I can get to a MLLE single stack is a 30-40 Krag caliber 1899 Rem-Lee mag; I keep wishing though! Dunno iff'n I have a .22 marked mag shell, no fancy 22LR mags here.