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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Lee Speed Forum & Archive
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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
#1 SMLE mag?
      #310879 - 23/01/18 01:40 PM

Anyone out there have a #1 SMLE magazine they would be willing to part with?
I am making 2 "Speed"(ish) rifles and I need a mag. I want to cut it down to a 5 shot, so it need not be in great shape as long as the feed lips can be used.

Please contact me if you have one you'd part with.

Edited by szihn (24/01/18 02:53 AM)

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CHAPUISARMES
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Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #310884 - 23/01/18 06:47 PM

Listed today, may be of help.:

http://www.ozgunsales.com/listing/54616/british_smle_no1_mk3_303_magazines_original.html

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Rothhammer1
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Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1826
Loc: The Redwoods of California
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #310885 - 23/01/18 06:53 PM


This?
Cheaper Than Dirt

--------------------
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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szihn
.400 member


Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: Rothhammer1]
      #310893 - 24/01/18 02:54 AM

Thanks Rothhammer.

I think that "Pro-Mag" may work. I hope so. I intend to cut it down to a 5 shot sporting magazine anyway, so having an original is not really necessary. The only thing on my 2 rifles that are original are the actions and bolts anyway.
New wood, hardware and barrels as well as sights, so a new magazine should not be a concern either.


OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr

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Rothhammer1
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Reged: 06/01/17
Posts: 1826
Loc: The Redwoods of California
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #310940 - 24/01/18 06:23 PM



Glad to help.

--------------------
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2443
Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #310944 - 24/01/18 07:34 PM

Starting to look very good.

Waidmannsheil.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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2152hq
.300 member


Reged: 20/05/12
Posts: 126
Loc: USA
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #310960 - 25/01/18 02:09 AM

Here's some originals:

http://www.brpguns.com/smle-no-1-mk-3-stock-magazine-parts/

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1678&idcategory=62



Nice looking rifles..

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kuduae
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Reged: 13/01/10
Posts: 1792
Loc: middle of Germany
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: 2152hq]
      #310967 - 25/01/18 05:17 AM

Or these:
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/category/magazinesstrp-clips/magazines/smle/parts-list-no-1

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: kuduae]
      #310972 - 25/01/18 06:54 AM

Because I am going to cut it down to a 5 round mag, I would be OK with a "Pro-Mag" if they are any good. It need not be original.
But I don't know anyone that has used the Pro-Mag and I don't know about the quality. Anyone out there ever try one? If the feed lips are not right, or if the metal is soft I would rather spend a bit more and get an original.

What do you guys think?

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englishman_ca
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Reged: 05/08/17
Posts: 31
Loc: Almaguin, Ontario, Canada
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #311074 - 26/01/18 08:56 AM

My tuppence worth.

Pro mags have really poor feed lips and need a lot of tweaking out of the package (plastic bag) to get them working properly. The metal is quite soft and the lips get out of adjustment easily, they tend to move and open up with extended use.

Stamped out en mass, not the highest quality. but they work and fill a need. Good for a stop gap if you lose a mag, but most owners end up replacing them. Not many repeat customers for Promag, but saying that, there are many people who are perfectly happy with them.

The metal appears to be some form of a low carbon steel, it isn't that rigid or robust.
I recommend staying away them. I think that you would be disappointed with the end result.

If you are going to put the time and effort into working one into a five rounder, I would save some later grief and use an original, there are literally thousands of spares still around.

--------------------
Look to your front, mark your target when it comes.

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
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Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: englishman_ca]
      #311084 - 26/01/18 01:07 PM

Thanks Englishman.
That's exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get.
I guess I'll find an older #1 SMLE mag and use that. I see a few of them advertised at about $32 each.

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
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Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #311777 - 06/02/18 10:26 AM

Making a bit of headway.

I have another SMLE mag on the way. When it gets here I'll cut it and the one in the Lithgow both down to 5 round mags. I still have to make front sight bases for both rifles and one for the Lithgow, but I made one already for the Irish Lee. I'll put barrel band swivel mounts on both barrels and express sights on each gun too.

I am doing the "paying jobs" most of the time so these 2 rifles are going slow. But at least they are going.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr

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Hoot
.275 member


Reged: 25/01/17
Posts: 93
Loc: MN
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #311811 - 07/02/18 02:47 AM

Very nicely done! "Paying jobs"? Are you a 'smith? If so, we may have to talk one day about a similar project in the rafters here.

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szihn
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Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: Hoot]
      #311814 - 07/02/18 03:24 AM

Hi Hoot.

Yeah. Call it a character flaw, but I am a full time gunsmith.

PM me and we'll talk.

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Hoot
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Reged: 25/01/17
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Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #311891 - 08/02/18 02:56 AM

PM sent.

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
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Loc: United States
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: Hoot]
      #311926 - 08/02/18 09:04 AM

Got it hoot.
I e-mailed you at the "home address"

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
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Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #311938 - 08/02/18 12:07 PM

I cut one down today. It's not polished or engraved yet, but the Irish Lee is coming together nicely. The Lithgow will be close behind it I hope.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr
I got the sight installed too.

Edited by szihn (09/02/18 12:00 PM)

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Rell
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Reged: 03/12/04
Posts: 642
Loc: Oyster Bay, NY, USA
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #311981 - 09/02/18 03:02 AM

That looks great. I’d love a cut down mag as well.

--------------------
450-400, 9.3x74r and 7x65r.

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: Rell]
      #311984 - 09/02/18 03:36 AM

Hi Rell.
Do you have one that you want to cut down?

Let me know.

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englishman_ca
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Reged: 05/08/17
Posts: 31
Loc: Almaguin, Ontario, Canada
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #312004 - 09/02/18 05:01 AM

Cutting them down is never a problem.

Putting a floor plate back on neatly is the difficult bit.

Is that mig or tig?

You have a nicely done mag, it looks the part.

--------------------
Look to your front, mark your target when it comes.

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93x64mm
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Reged: 07/12/11
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Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: englishman_ca]
      #312030 - 09/02/18 07:17 AM

Zihn,
as with the 'cut down' mags, a lot were done into .375 2 1/2", how does it then differ from the conventional .303 magazine?
Certainly looking good there mate!

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
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Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: 93x64mm]
      #312031 - 09/02/18 07:26 AM

Englishman, I don't weld the new floor plates on at all. I do it the same way it was done in London. I braze them on. I form the plates to fit the curve exactly and braze from the inside. It's very strong and I check my joint by putting them into soapy water about 1" deep. If they don't leek a drop in 5 minutes I know the joint is perfect.

93X64, I can't answer that question. I have never done one for a 375 2-1/2" but I would venture a guess that the mag box is the same and the feed lips are opened up. But it is still just a guess.

Edited by szihn (09/02/18 01:03 PM)

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szihn
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Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #312074 - 09/02/18 01:23 PM

OK, I made the swivel mounts and front sight today. Now I am ready to polish the steel and sand the wood for finish. I will engrave the metal before I blue it. I hope to get to the finish work within the next few weeks. Checkering comes after all the rest is done.

The last thing to do will be to kill some kind of game with it. I may take it out for deer or antelope this coming season. I have other rifles I'd like to try out too.

Dang............I need more hunting time.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr

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Hoot
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Reged: 25/01/17
Posts: 93
Loc: MN
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: szihn]
      #312113 - 10/02/18 02:59 AM

This gets nicer with every installment!

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englishman_ca
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Reged: 05/08/17
Posts: 31
Loc: Almaguin, Ontario, Canada
Re: #1 SMLE mag? [Re: Hoot]
      #312120 - 10/02/18 04:59 AM

Sir, I am impressed to say the least. I have tried braising a floor plate back on to a cut down mag, it was an exercise in frustration.

The sheet metal parts fit well enough in the cold state but started moving and distorting when I applied enough heat to melt the brass.
So i tried tack braising first, which then let go and poing! when I tried to fill the gaps. Doh!

I got it finished but had a lot of clean up to do, and the seam was kinda wonky. It was functional but did not look like it was factory, as yours does!

Practice makes perfect, I have done but the one!

I am totally amazed by the products turned out by Victorian tin smiths.
They could probably join two pieces of foil together!

Obviously it can be done, you just did it but have skills and techniques that I need to learn.

Does your floor plate fit inside the body profile like the original? How to stop the thing warping under heat?

I have been thinking about making an oversize floor plate with a margin around the edges.
Cut the mag so the plate will butt up flat around the perimeter.
Bind the plate in place well with iron wire.
Flood the inside with silver solder. Then clean up the outside to remove the margin.

Am I getting close? Probably not.

Not much on the net other than hunters cutting down the mag on a band saw and mig welding a flat plate back on to make a flush mount unit..

If we ask nicely, would you show us how it is done the next time that you do one, please?

--------------------
Look to your front, mark your target when it comes.

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