Straight Pull L1A1 Rear Sight Problem

[PaulR]

Any other L1A1 owners experienced a problem with the Rear Sight 'Walking' when shooting?

I shot mine today in the Enfield Challenge (ETA Range - targets will fall when hit!) and my shots started going high after the first few rounds. My neighbor, also shooting an L1A1, spotted that the rear sight was moving forward up the ramp under recoil. At first I thought it was being tapped forward by the peak of my cap but taking it off the same happened.

Seems that the other guy had experienced a similar problem and tried two new sights, springs and detent ball with no improvement. I believe that on the semi auto version you could 'balance' out the recoil using the gas adjuster so the jolt back was not as severe as on the straight pull version where none of the recoil is absorbed by any moving parts.

So, does anyone out there have any suggestions for a non invasive easily reversable solution to such a problem? Wedging under the front of the sight might work but would look a bit messy. Also the, solution would have to allow sight adjustment should the course of fire demand it.

Cheers

Paul

[bnz41]

Hi Paul.

Are they L1A1 original sights, as I happen to have a set, can't remember where I got them from, you could try see if it makes a difference. I used them on my FAL never moved under recoil, let me know and send your address in a pm, and I will pop them in the post.

Neil

[Rearlugs]

Maybe who ever built the rifle used sights that were originally surplussed out after being taken off rifles for being worn?

I think most people have memories of L1A1 sights erring the other way - being so rock hard that they were next to impossible to move! I recall it was quite rare to come across a rifle where the sights moved freely. Quite common, however, for the foresight blade retaining screw to come loose, and for the foresight blade to turn sideways...

[huntervixen]

Hi Paul,

I think you are right mate, the extra (Straight pull) recoil, is a problem with the back sights.

I have a new unissued Hythe sight on mine (maiden shoot on Wednesday) I wonder if you could make a none invasive "stop" to fit in front of the sight....the only long term solution for us I think?

I will let you know if the Hythe creeps and get you the pics of the Gas plug with measurements.

Cheers John.

[PaulR]

Hi Paul.

Are they L1A1 original sights, as I happen to have a set, can't remember where I got them from, you could try see if it makes a difference. I used them on my FAL never moved under recoil, let me know and send your address in a pm, and I will pop them in the post.

Neil

Thanks for the offer Neil.

The sight on it is an original twin bladed Hythe sight which was unnissued when I fitted it. I replaced the standard single bladed sight which I still have.

I'll fit that one back on and see if it's any better, I'll be using it again this coming weekend.

If that doesn't work I'll let you know but for now, I'm not confident that the fix will be as easy as simply changing the sights.

Here's the Hythe sight mounted on the rifle with the SUIT also mounted:



Cheers

Paul

[bnz41]

Ok, no worries, offer there if needed.

Neil

[PaulR]

Maybe who ever built the rifle used sights that were originally surplussed out after being taken off rifles for being worn?

I think most people have memories of L1A1 sights erring the other way - being so rock hard that they were next to impossible to move! I recall it was quite rare to come across a rifle where the sights moved freely. Quite common, however, for the foresight blade retaining screw to come loose, and for the foresight blade to turn sideways...

Hi Rearlugs.

The sights were not fitted on the rifle when I got it, it had the single bladed type. The Hythe sight I replaced it with was unnissued original equipment and like the old one, was/is really tight when trying to adjust it.

I'll keep an eye on the foresight screw thanks.

Cheers

Paul

[PaulR]

Hi Paul,

I think you are right mate, the extra (Straight pull) recoil, is a problem with the back sights.

I have a new unissued Hythe sight on mine (maiden shoot on Wednesday) I wonder if you could make a none invasive "stop" to fit in front of the sight....the only long term solution for us I think?

I will let you know if the Hythe creeps and get you the pics of the Gas plug with measurements.

Cheers John.

Hi John.

Good luck with the shoot. Are you using factory .308 or 7.62, if you are, I'll be interested to see if you have any extraction probems - I did. Now I use my own re-loads and have no problems.

I agree about the solution, I'm going to take my sight off and see if there would be any room to put in an extra spring loaded detent ball bearing.

Look forward to the piccies - did you get the bit of non-gas tube I sent?

Cheers

Paul

[huntervixen]

Hi Paul,

I think you are right mate, the extra (Straight pull) recoil, is a problem with the back sights.

I have a new unissued Hythe sight on mine (maiden shoot on Wednesday) I wonder if you could make a none invasive "stop" to fit in front of the sight....the only long term solution for us I think?

I will let you know if the Hythe creeps and get you the pics of the Gas plug with measurements.

Cheers John.

Hi John.

Good luck with the shoot. Are you using factory .308 or 7.62, if you are, I'll be interested to see if you have any extraction probems - I did. Now I use my own re-loads and have no problem

I agree about the solution, I'm going to take my sight off and see if there would be any room to put in an extra spring loaded detent ball bearing.

Look forward to the piccies - did you get the bit of non-gas tube I sent?

Cheers

Paul

Morning Paul,

Great shoot, the L1 went down very well at the range, brought a lot of attention and possibly a few new sales for the Suffolk Rifle Company.....Perhaps I should ask Neal for Commission :lol:

To my surprise, the hythe remained at the two hundred yard position (for now anyway), I used PPU .308....first 10 very hard extraction after that, it got much easyer...but with the odd one I still needed to remove mag, place butt on the wooden edge of the firing point and strike down very firmly on the cocking handle to extract!!

60 rounds fired in total, before moving onto my SMLE.

I will need to get into reloading I think, but problems aside, great rifle, very accurate...double the recoil of the semi auto from memory...I suppose thats why the rear sights are on the move.

Looking at the general rear sight issue, a small tightly fitted spring clip fitted over "track" would keep it in position, but making it could be tricky...just a thought!

Brit wood with me on Monday mate, I will get some pics to you then, not forgetting plug pics and measurements, no sign of the tube yet......but in deepest darkest Gloucestershire they parachute the post in, so I will check the trees for "hang ups" !!!!!

Cheers, John.

[daryldiane]

Hi,
I have an L1A1 from Anglo Custom and had the same problem with a creeping rear sight, but only after I'd lubed it. I took it off and cleaned out all the oil and that seemd to cure the problem.
Also found that the GGG Lithuanian Nato that Fred sells at the Range Office at Bisley ejects perfectly even after 100 rounds rapid. It's also very accurate, shot some out of an AW last week at 300yrds, and most , except for two pulled shots were in the V.