Geissele Teases Rebarreled Lee-Enfield Project

The Canadian military did not universally rebarrel its service Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifles to 7.62x51mm NATO

. However, Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL) did convert approximately 2,000 rifles to 7.62x51mm for use in military and civilian target shooting competitions sponsored by the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA) in the 1960s.

Details of the Conversion Program

1. Purpose: The conversions were primarily intended to allow target shooters, including military competitors, to use the new standard-issue 7.62mm NATO ammunition, as .303 British ammunition supplies were diminishing.
2. Process: The program was run by CAL (formerly the Long Branch arsenal, the primary Canadian manufacturer of the No. 4 rifle). Individuals and DCRA clubs could send their sound No. 4 rifles to CAL for conversion.
3. Modifications: The conversions typically included a new 7.62mm barrel (often without bayonet lugs), a new proofed bolt head, reinforced woodwork, and in some cases, a 7.62mm magazine conversion kit (e.g., from Sterling Armaments).
4. Military Issue vs. Competition Use: While some of these converted rifles were used by military rifle teams, they were specifically for target shooting rather than general infantry service. The standard service rifle at the time was the 7.62x51mm FN C1A1 Self-Loading Rifle.
5. Distinction from British L-series: The British military undertook a more extensive, official conversion program for reserve weapons, resulting in the L8 series of rifles and the L42A1 sniper rifle, which had specific military pattern modifications like altered ejectors and magazines. The Canadian conversions (sometimes referred to as the "C No. 7" in a target context, though that designation is more typically for a .22LR training rifle) were different in their execution and purpose.

For decades, the Canadian Rangers continued to use unconverted No. 4 rifles in .303 British in the Arctic due to their reliability in extreme cold, eventually replacing them with the Colt Canada C19 in the 2000s and 2010s.

How about a No4, any chance they'll do those?