Enfield Chamber Pitting

T

treetop1a

Inactive
Hello,
I just purchased a 1941 No.4 Mark 1 Enfield, which had a shiny bore, and at the time the chamber looked OK. After getting it home, there is a 2" line of rust in the chamber, parallel to the bore, that turned out to have some fairly deep pits of about .020 or so. Does that make this gun unsafe to shoot?
Thank you.
 
I doubt it makes it unsafe, but it might cause difficult extraction as the brass expands into the pits. A friend has a .303 with one large pit in the chamber that makes extraction tough with standard loads. A pity, the bore is bright as new.
 
Thank you, Jim. Is it possible to fill the pits with something like JB Weld epoxy? Or, is the only fix to replace the barrel?
 
As a follow-up, I just fired 5 rounds of 150 gr Hornady this morning with no hint of difficult extraction. I had to really look for the very light embossing of the pitting. The target was some 600 yards away, with a six-inch group from an unsupported sit. This Enfield appears to be useable. Thank you.
 
Sounds like a shooter! Congratulations. Pits not only have to be deep, but broad before the brass will enter them far enough that it doesn't rebound back out at all.

Mtnboomer is right. Never fill the pits. For a bunch of reasons too numerous for a short post.

Nick
 
Thanks to all that responded. Of all the guns that I enjoy, putting meat on the table with a gun that defended the free world in another troubled time gives a sense of continuity.

Treetop1a
 
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