Enfield No. 4 Mk1 from AIM surplus

[marktx]

Thinking about ordering up one of these, seems like a decent enough deal but I haven't been looking at the Enfields much lately.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/British_Enfield_No.4_Mk1_.303Brit_Rifles.html

Anybody have thoughts/experience? In the past I have been happy with purchases from AIM.

 

[CBS220]

If you don't like it, I'm sure Aim would be more than happy to take it back. They have excellent service.

However, the No 4 Mk I is a great firearm. Light recoil, accurate, and easy to shoot. Mine almost always go to the range with me.

 

[MarcusWendt]

I thought you didn't need an FFL to do the transfer on C&R rifles? ARG!!!!

 

[JTW Jr.]

you dont... read their site info:



FIREARM PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS

It is Required for you to have a copy of your signed Federal Firearms License, or Collector of Curio & Relics License on file with us BEFORE ordering Firearms from this Website.

 

[goon]

You don't if you have a C&R License.
It's not a bad investment of $35.

BTW, let us know if you buy one. I'm tempted to take a crack at one of these myself.
Wanted a No.4 for awhile ...

 

[Todd1700]

I have one in route from Aim. I will let you guys know how I like it and try to post some pics. I have been looking for an Enfield for a while now but all of them I had come across lately were either in pretty bad shape or way overpriced. 159 bucks is a good price if those No 4 Mk 1s are in as good a condition as they apppear in the photos. I have previously purchased a russian capture K98 Mauser and a 91/30 Mosin Nagant from Aim and was well pleased with their overall condition. So far they seem to be good people to deal with.

 

[Sunray]

At that price, something is wrong with it. Starting with being a Century Arms rifle. Very likely assembled by Century out of parts bins and zero QC. If you buy it, demand proof of good headspace.

 

[spiroxlii]

Todd1700, please DO post pics when you get yours. I want to order one from them. My C&R license has been on file with them for months. lol.

Sunray, it may very well be a non-matching weapon, but even if it is, it could be a good shooter. I agree with you, though. The headspace needs to be checked before you fire one of these. Fortunately, if the headspace is off, you can correct Enfield headspace just by replacing the bolt face (they come in several sizes). No other modification is required.

 

[Sunray]

"...just by replacing the bolt face..." The bolt head using headspace guages. Just going up one number gives no guarantee the headspace will be fixed. Nor does a matching S/N. Bolt heads run $11.90 each from Gunparts. Headspace guages are $25 or $30 each from Brownell's. You'd need the No-Go and the Field. In any case, I'd still ask for written proof of good headspace.

 

[DougW]

AIM and Century both sell surplus rifles "as is", and it is up to the purchaser to determine if the headspace is acceptable or not. Century could never make enough at $159 assembling the rifles from a parts bin if such a thing existed.

Springfield Sporters is the only big parts distributor, and buying parts to build an Enfield would probably cost $300+.

Another point, the SAAMI gauges are not equal to British Milspec headspace gauges. A SAAMI Field is approx. equal to a Milspec No-Go. Keep in mind that the Enfield headspaces on the case rim, not the shoulder. If you want to have some real fun, measure the rims of various manufacturers cases. You will find a wide variance in the thickness of the rims. I have never found one that will come close to the thickness of a SAAMI Field gauge anyway.

Just to add, non matching makes the rifle a LITTLE less valuable as a collector piece. It does not lower the shootability. Bolt bodies were replaced at FTR when necessary, from servicable parts or new parts. I have 3 non matching, and all my rifles are great shooters.

 

[alemonkey]

Non-matching doesn't necessarily equal a poor shooter. My No.4 Mk.1's bolt doesn't match, but it's pretty accurate anyway.