Thread: Lips of MLE / Long Tom magazine for use with magazine cut-off - picture needed.

Hi, so got this MLE with a SMLE length 'H' barrel, but that's another story.

The magazine is unlike the SMLE Mk III* or No 4 mags. Its right hand / starboard rim is lower than the left rim, in order to accommodate the magazine cut off.

I had problems ++ to get it to hold ten mk Vii rounds, basically complicated by the fact that the mag spring is weak, both by design and likely use. BUT also the front feed lip appears deformed. Here is the magic however, inserted in the action it allows feeding and extraction, just, but still magic considering the very weak spring which I obviously have to address.

I've seen pics of LE mags with an external toggle like device that seems to form the missing left front feed lip, but there is no evidence of this mag ever having had this.

I wonder, does any of you have a similar Long Tom magazine type (but in better origincal condition) that you'd be happy posting a couple photos that I can get my bearings from?

Here's mine:







Thanks for any help. All I'm waiting to hear is someone to tell me to get over it, that it's MEANT to be like that.

it looks to have had a very hard life!!!!!

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

it looks to have had a very hard life!!!!!

You should see the other guy!

Who knows, these things could have been at the Boer War, or Gallipoli, but at least home guards. My receiver has no charger facility, which I think became an "in" idea after the Boer war where Imperial Troopers were on the wrong side of charger-loaded flat-shooting 7mm Mauser M1895s.

The magazine lips are correct because they were designed for the 215 grain round-nosed Mk VI bullet, not the 174 grain pointed Mk VII bullet which is considerably narrower at the front. You will find that commercial heavy round-nosed ammo will feed better.

Originally Posted by gundoc

The magazine lips are correct because they were designed for the 215 grain round-nosed Mk VI bullet, not the 174 grain pointed Mk VII bullet which is considerably narrower at the front. You will find that commercial heavy round-nosed ammo will feed better.

Cheers for the good news.

looks right to me, ill try and get you some photos once kids/wife in bed

Originally Posted by res

looks right to me, ill try and get you some photos once kids/wife in bed

Cheers.

In the mean time,here are a couple of pictures of a Spiker I shot last weekend in Arthur's pass last weekend with my Range pattern MLE.

I hope you get as much enjoyment from your Rifle as I do from mine.

Nice classic rifle, the long sight radius must give scope quality with that peep sight!

Originally Posted by Cordite

Cheers.

sorry fortgot to do this, and now wont be able to for a few weeks

A 'Range Pattern' rifle with the excellent Lithgow heavy barrel. They made good shooters!

Originally Posted by gundoc

A 'Range Pattern' rifle with the excellent Lithgow heavy barrel. They made good shooters!

I have another SMLE 'H' Barrel, a wolf in sheep's clothing. Do you know if 'H' barrel SMLE's ever got formally issued to troops?

(thinking here of Service Rifle Competition rules which only allow 'issued'/'as issued' rifles).