Ishapore L2A Questions

[Strike Eagle]

Just picked up a nice Ishapore Enfield L2A in 7.62mm (1965 build C&R rifle) The bore is in nice shape and the furniture is fair. The rifle shoots well and I'm pleased with it. Really nothing like shooting an Enfield fast --- I can work the bolt quick! I have two questions -- I have been told that the Ishy L2A is the twin to the SMLE #1 Mk-III. ALL parts will interchange between the two types except for the extractor and the magazine. Is that statement true? Second question, it seems like extraction is weak, the cases just barely make it out of the reciever when I briskly work the bolt. Is there a stronger spring available so the cases can be ejected a bit better? Thanks for your help.

[Schuetzenman]

Never done a comparison as I don't have a .303 No. I mk III type, just No. 4 Mk I and Mk II. I do have an Ishapore Enfield.

Many things might interchange, wood stocks included. Not sure if any fitting would be required for the mag / trigger assembly to fit into a nice new Enfield stock set. I've been thinking about getting a walnut stock set to rework the Ishi as the rosewood stock it's in is pretty fuggly.

Nosecaps on the Ishi's are not the same as other .303 pattern rifles. In fact the Indians got the thing ass backwards in a way. The slot like windows in each side of the nose cap sight protector wings are low in the wings. These are supposed to be there so that windage adjustments can be made to the front sight blade. Well with the slots too low you can only adjust windage by taking the nosecap off the weapon and then adjusting it. Nosecap back on and then test fire. It's a major pain in the a_s!

Extractors between the two models are not the same and can be where your poor ejection is coming from . Ejection comes from the case being shoved to the left as the bolt is opened. The rim is to run into a ledge with a screw in it and this is what kicks the brass out. I've seen Ishi's that had .303 extractors and they always had week if any ejection. A real 7.62 Nato extractor will really wing the ammo especially if you cycle the bolt smartly.

Oh and the bores and chambers are chrome plated on the Ishi's because the Indians made corrosive ammo up into the late 1970's.

[miked]

I have one. It does not extract the .308 worth a Sh!!. Whats wrong with this Sh!!? A dealer told me they never extract worth a sh!! and this in normal.

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by miked
I have one. It does not extract the .308 worth a Sh!!. Whats wrong with this Sh!!? A dealer told me they never extract worth a sh!! and this in normal.

See my post above, the last two paragraphs. Extractors for the rimless 7.62 Nato round have a longer claw on them. It should extend to so far towards the center that it almost covers up the firing pin hole. If there is a good bit of space beween the extractor hook and the firing pin hole you can bet you have one with a .303 Enfield type extractor.

They are real some-bitches to find, the 7.62 extractors that is. I modified a .303 once by grinding away some of the arm thickness to let it swing in closer to the center. It sort of worked if you didn't pull the bolt too fast.

I have one of the 2A's that has the correct ejector. I think I'll put taking a picture of a correct extractor and relationship to firing pin hole in bolt face to post. It would make it very easy to see if your rifle is right or wrong.

[canewalker]

I have an Ishapor and a Mk111 (1918) and they are pretty much the same as Schuetzenman said. The rear sight wings and elevator ramps are different as well as the sight markings. The stock on the Ishapor has a small cut out on both sides of the stock right where the bolt handle ball is located when it's down. It is about a 5 mm cut out coming from the receiver band where the brass pin goes through the stock.

I looked at the extractors and noticed the bolt face on the 1918 is rimmed and the Ishapor isn't and the extractor goes almost to the firing pin hole on the .308 where the .303 goes about half way to the fp hole. Have you tried running the ejector screw in as far as possible and seeing if that helped some. I have heard that the ejector (screw) can back out sometimes.(?)

My Mk111 has a magazine cut off plate that I think is a neato concept for a training aid. I would hate to have one if the "Sudanese camel jocky regulators" were shooting at me!!! :eek: Khartoum!

[exchevynut]

i cleaned all the junk out of my dads 2a this morning ,and found out that the "v" shaped spring that is in the front of the bolt(for the extractor)is broke. i guess all that dried up cosmoline was sorta holding it together. any idea where i can buy one at??? thanks

[zouavexx]

as always I reccomend, http://www.e-gunparts.com/

[neilwest]

1. Good Advice from Zouave.:D

2. Schultzeman as always is a wealth of info.:D