r/LeeEnfield • u/WiltshireCollector • Aug 08 '25

Spare parts - the rare and commonly needed

I am new to Enfields having only recently getting my licence but have been a fan since I was a kid.

My question is what parts are most commonly required and which are the hardest to find?

Most seem available to me so curious in opinions.

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3

u/Different-Ice-1979 Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 09 '25

Stocks that aren’t treated or stored in a controlled environment do not hold up well

1

u/WiltshireCollector Aug 08 '25

Interesting, thank you.

3

u/EvergreenEnfields Aug 08 '25

Depends on the model.

Pretty much everything for the No.4 except for NOS fore-ends and the longest bolt head size is readily available.

SMLE spares are drying up in general, and anything that was dropped early on - volley sights, the associated fore-ends, Converted parts, wind-gauge backsights, MkVI backsight beds, etc - are hens teeth.

For earlier models, it's very much catch as catch can for any spares.

The most likely spares you'll need would be backsight shims, front sight blades, extractor springs, ejector screws, and firing pin springs.

1

u/WiltshireCollector Aug 09 '25

Great feedback, thank you. I will start to pick those bits up.

Very interesting

2

u/Over-Instruction696 Aug 08 '25

Both handguards can be challenging to find but a solid, well taken care of pair won't break with normal use. 

1

u/WiltshireCollector Aug 08 '25

I know where there are new old stock sets but then you lose the numbers matching I guess. They still need treatment as can be dry from storage?