wildrider666
Master
I guess you would get several volunteers that would shoot free ammo and not have to clean guns. That's until their warm up and grouping tell the tale. Lol
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What gun stuff did you do today?
- Thread starter Khaot1c
- Start date
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My auction won Lithgow No1 Mk III* arrived sooner than expected. I was blown away with its condition. I had suspected the seller didn't do the greatest job describing it (but he did give great communications and extra photos I requested. I was the only bidder and think a better description and photos would have had multiple people bidding. For example, it was an Australian Air Force rifle, but that was not in the description nor was a photo of the Air Force property marking shown. An estimate from a long time Australian collector, based upon examining many rifles there, is that only 1 in 50 FTR'd rifles went to the Air Force.
It was made in 1943 and underwent FTR (Factory Thorough Repair as it is known in the U.K.) (refurbished) in 1955. It was rebarreled with a March 1943 made barrel. How do I know it was rebarreled? One can see where the original serial number on the bbl was lined out and the receiver matching serial number stamped. All number matching, including the PAA number (Proof Action Assembly). PAA numbers were applied to the bolt and receiver when they were matched and proofed together in order to keep them together prior to a serial number being applied to them. That means it has its original bolt from 1943...no big deal, as a replacement bolt would have been headspaced and numbered to the receiver (but would not of had matching PAA or wouldn't of had a PAA number at all). Still, kinda neat having the original bolt kept with the rifle when it went through FTR. PAA number stamped on the bottom of the bolt handle and on the top right rear of the receiver are covered up when the bolt handle is in the down or closed position, so they are not readily noticed.
Bore is at least excellent. I could find visibly no trace of darkness, pitting, frosting, or erosion. Edges of lands look sharp. I probably should NOT look through a bore scope lest I be disappointed. Green tint in the bore is because it was standing over grass when I took the photo.
A flaw is that some of the black coloring of a forend brass band has been rubbed off.
Bayonet that came with it was made April 1943. It too went through FTR. There is a small 3MD on the scabbard. 3MD = 3rd Military District or Southern Command, State of Victoria.
As I took the rifle out of the shipping box, I heard a rattle. It was a brass oiler in the buttstock (I figured it'd be WWII plastic before I got it out). Looking up the markings, it turned out to have been made between 1914 and 1918 by Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield and marked for the Royal Navy. Bonus!
I have looked and looked and cannot find an import mark. Looked on receiver, removed rear hand guard, looked under rear sight, and looked on both sides of the bbl exposed inside the nose piece...nothing so far.
It was made in 1943 and underwent FTR (Factory Thorough Repair as it is known in the U.K.) (refurbished) in 1955. It was rebarreled with a March 1943 made barrel. How do I know it was rebarreled? One can see where the original serial number on the bbl was lined out and the receiver matching serial number stamped. All number matching, including the PAA number (Proof Action Assembly). PAA numbers were applied to the bolt and receiver when they were matched and proofed together in order to keep them together prior to a serial number being applied to them. That means it has its original bolt from 1943...no big deal, as a replacement bolt would have been headspaced and numbered to the receiver (but would not of had matching PAA or wouldn't of had a PAA number at all). Still, kinda neat having the original bolt kept with the rifle when it went through FTR. PAA number stamped on the bottom of the bolt handle and on the top right rear of the receiver are covered up when the bolt handle is in the down or closed position, so they are not readily noticed.
Bore is at least excellent. I could find visibly no trace of darkness, pitting, frosting, or erosion. Edges of lands look sharp. I probably should NOT look through a bore scope lest I be disappointed. Green tint in the bore is because it was standing over grass when I took the photo.
A flaw is that some of the black coloring of a forend brass band has been rubbed off.
Bayonet that came with it was made April 1943. It too went through FTR. There is a small 3MD on the scabbard. 3MD = 3rd Military District or Southern Command, State of Victoria.
As I took the rifle out of the shipping box, I heard a rattle. It was a brass oiler in the buttstock (I figured it'd be WWII plastic before I got it out). Looking up the markings, it turned out to have been made between 1914 and 1918 by Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield and marked for the Royal Navy. Bonus!
I have looked and looked and cannot find an import mark. Looked on receiver, removed rear hand guard, looked under rear sight, and looked on both sides of the bbl exposed inside the nose piece...nothing so far.
Took the 1943 Lithgow to the range Sunday. Didn't have time to load test loads, so I took the 2 loads I had for the other 303's that shoot nice in all of them.
First thing noticed was that the partially sized brass (that load fine in the other 303's) would sometimes be too big near the case head to fully chamber in the Lithgow...tighter chamber than the others. I will continue to keep brass separated by rifle. Full length resizing the trouble-some brass, they would then fit in the Lithgow for the first use and then only neck size subsequent reloads which fit fine.
First group sucked...maybe it doesn't like my load that the others like...not only larger than desired, but off to the right. I then saw that the more I fired it, the closer the shots were getting to the previous shot and moving to the left to the center of the target. After about 8 shots, I fired a fresh group...much smaller and nicely centered for windage. Guess the clean bore just needed to be "seasoned" by the cast lead bullets. I then fired the other load I'd brought...group "ok" for plinking, but off to the side. Refire the first load (34.0gr 7383, 314299 200gr cast bullet) and tweak the elevation adjustment to be on at our plinking range...right on and accurate. Happy Happy Happy
Today, while it was still cool, I loaded up 100 rounds for it.
First thing noticed was that the partially sized brass (that load fine in the other 303's) would sometimes be too big near the case head to fully chamber in the Lithgow...tighter chamber than the others. I will continue to keep brass separated by rifle. Full length resizing the trouble-some brass, they would then fit in the Lithgow for the first use and then only neck size subsequent reloads which fit fine.
First group sucked...maybe it doesn't like my load that the others like...not only larger than desired, but off to the right. I then saw that the more I fired it, the closer the shots were getting to the previous shot and moving to the left to the center of the target. After about 8 shots, I fired a fresh group...much smaller and nicely centered for windage. Guess the clean bore just needed to be "seasoned" by the cast lead bullets. I then fired the other load I'd brought...group "ok" for plinking, but off to the side. Refire the first load (34.0gr 7383, 314299 200gr cast bullet) and tweak the elevation adjustment to be on at our plinking range...right on and accurate. Happy Happy Happy
Today, while it was still cool, I loaded up 100 rounds for it.
Made up 50 more pounds of #2 bullet casting alloy.
As an experiment, I cleaned the bore of the above SMLE. Again, the first few shots were outside the group (about an inch to the right and an inch low at 35yd), but after about 4 shots they were back to where the sights were aimed. I will now stop cleaning the bore until it looses accuracy with cast bullets.
As an experiment, I cleaned the bore of the above SMLE. Again, the first few shots were outside the group (about an inch to the right and an inch low at 35yd), but after about 4 shots they were back to where the sights were aimed. I will now stop cleaning the bore until it looses accuracy with cast bullets.
Josh03
Expert
Finished my build tonight... Holosun is just temporary for Tomorrow don't know what I'm going to run on it yet it's a 12.5 5.56
Attachments
Josh03
Expert
Rebel_Rider1969
Well Known Nuisance
Not today but over the weekend, I picked up a pistol I've been wanting for quite some time. Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 952-2, 9mm 'long slide' 6" target pistol. While it is not for everyone, this one is my personal 'Holy Grail' pistol.
Josh03
Expert
Sweet gun
The other night my thermal rifle slipped and dropped a couple of feet onto the ground. When I shot my last hog, the bullet did hit a little to the right. Today was sunny so it could heat up my thermal target. Indeed it was hitting 1” to the right at 50yd. 2 clicks left and resighted in. Puts me +/- 1” out to 170yd.
Wow! I've got way more 9mms than I need but this S&W is really tempting. I'd been considering a Sig P210. Any idea how the two compare?
Josh03
Expert
A guy that I let hunt coyotes on my place uses that one I believe. I can’t say how good or bad it is compared to others, but he kills a good many coyotes. I believe the only thing he complains about is the batteries for the illuminator , it takes two 123 size batteries. The scope itself has a rechargeable battery that last a long time , I believe he said about 18 hours.
I haven't had the opportunity to fire the S&W yet, but I also have a Sig P210 and am looking forward to the comparison. I'm sure both are far more accurate than I'll ever be, but I just enjoy owning nice firearms. The 952 is a scarce and collectable pistol that probably won't be fired often, but for the money, I'd say the P210 is extremely hard to beat.
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Josh03
Expert
Thanks for the info.. going to use it for hogs this year
Look at a large collection this morning, there are some amazing colts and Winchester in it . But the lady wants a buyer take all bid and it’s out of my budget. I’m going to call a couple of guys that can afford to buy it and see if they are interested.
Shovelhead
Expert
Thats why I'm listing mine here.
M60Gunner
Master
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2017
- Messages
- 3,181
- Points
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Received my Comfort Tac holster and been wearing it for 2 days straight lol. I experimented with something very similar by taking a much wider velcro back support band of my own and stuffing all my EDC stuff in it. Overall very satisfied with this.
