Lee Enfield question

[baer19d]

I know that the head space is set with the bolt face on a #1 MK3 SMLE but should the barrel be screwed in tight? I have one with matching serial #'s so the barrel, bolt, and receiver are meant for each other but if I tighted that barrel all the way the sights are on the side and the notch for the extractor wont line up with the extractor. With the bolt closed and a round in the chamber the barrel does not move. Is this normal?

[Frank46]

Nope definitely not normal. If as you said the barrel can be moved then I would strongly tell you that it should not be fired until a gunsmith has a chance to check it out and make any necessary adjustments. If your rifle was correctly set up the sights should be correctly aligned and you should not be able to move the bbl. Please take this in the spirit in which it was given, namely to prevent you from getting hurt or worse. Frank

[Mikey]

DO NOT SHOOT THAT RIFLE.  It is not safe.  Get it to a gunsmith for repair or make it a wall hanger.

[tripper]

When I had my Lee rebarreld the barrel was so tight the smith had to cut a relief around the barrel before he could get the barrel off.

[baer19d]

I took it to a gunsmith and we got it all figured out. Thanks for the input.