I want a Lee-Enfield.

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Nightcrawler

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Actually, I want several, but for now I'll settle for one.

What I want at the moment is a No. 4 Mk.I. I don't know anything about manufacturers, or what the best years of manufacture are.

So here's what I want:

-Best condition I can get, without being a "collector's item" that I'll feel bad shooting. Don't care if it's been refinished or restocked, so long as it's as close to like new as possible, with the metal/wood still strong, and a clean bore that will give me years of service.

-The best No. 4 sights. I think those ladder sights are cool, but which Enfields had better sights? I've heard some of the wartime models had simplified sights to ease maufacture.

-All the accessories. Cleaning kit, bayonet, stripper clips.


So, which model SMLE would be best for me, and where's the best place to get it? Note that Navy Arms Mil Surp Division's website is gone, leaving me to wonder if their MSD is out of business (I've emailed them asking as much).

Oh, and, as usual, let's see your Enfield pictures. Down the road, I want a No. 1 Mk. III (basically a World War I style, in the above listed condition) and a No. 5 Jungle Carbine (in the same excellent condition).
 
Ask around. I've found two enfields in the last couple years just by asking around.


Check pawn shops. (bring a bore snake)


IMHO, the best sights are the milled click adjustable sights. number4mk1 milled click adjustable sights should go up to 1300 yards. jungle carbine ones only go to 800.



www.whatpriceglory.com has reasonably good prices on enfield acessories, and you can ask around their forums for more info.



right now, i'm in the pricess of acquiring a full pattern 37 uniform, inclusind helmet, boots, jacket, trousers, and LBE.

I already have the LBE, including the bayonet and frog.
 
Just heard back from Navy Arms. They are no longer in the military surplus business.

So. Finding an Enfield is becoming more important, since there aren't as many out there anymore.

I do wish somebody would start making them again.
 
I prefer my No4Mk2's, two-aperature (300&600 IIRC) rear sight to the flip-up dial sight. The short-range peep on the flip-up was huge and its long-range peep just didn't do much for me.
 
I'm with Nightcrawler; now I really want to find a good one before they're even harder to find, or the prices go up.
 
Deadman, that's interesting. Is that in 7.62x39mm? Who makes that, or is it a custom setup?

EDIT: Oh, it's Aussie. I've heard about these.

Still, I'd prefer one in .303 or .308, myself. (.303 to be original.)
 
Alright, you asked for it.

No 4, Mk I, Long Branch, 1945 with ladder sights to 1300 as specified. .303 Brit caliber. Paid seventy bucks a year or two ago. It shoots fine, but it's a wall hanger for right now. I realize the picture of the whole rifle is crappy, but hey, that's home photography for ya.

esheato..

33888233.gif

33888232.gif

33888231.gif
 
IMHO, the best Lee Enfields are the post-war #4 mk 2s and the Canadian Long Branch #4 mk1*.

You are just going to have to do some hunting at gun shops or gun shows to find them as their heyday as a readily available milsurp was 5or 6 years ago.
 
Ditto on the Post War No4 MkIIs.

I've got 3 originally "unissued" No4s. One I "snipered out", Second I kept stock, and third is still in its original mummy wrap (plan to pass this one down).

Love the Enfields.
 
IMHO, the best Lee Enfields are the post-war #4 mk 2s
Click to expand...

And pretty too! :D

No4mk2_Faz_1955.jpg


But, the prettiest of all are the No1MKIII's, in their ugly old stock, banged up from being drug through the trenches and dripping with history....I just love those early SMLE's.

No1mk3_BSA_1917.jpg
 
Which enfield is the "best" if I only owned one

The 303 British Enfield must be a GREAT rifle just from all the posts I've read. I have been collecting for 25 years and never owned any enfield for two silly reasons; the two piece stock and the cock on closing. I like the looks of the "Jungle Carbine" but I hear the recoil is a bit much. Would a WWI, MKIII(?) be considered one of the "best"? It has to be made in the 20th century, no 19th century rifles. Regardless of Mark# you may recomended, please suggest a price for one in excellent condition. Thanks
 
What I really, really want is a Lithgow; one of the Aussie rifles with the snazzy looks of the SMLE but the groovy ladder sight of the No.4... :cool:
 
The 303 British Enfield must be a GREAT rifle just from all the posts I've read. I have been collecting for 25 years and never owned any enfield for two silly reasons; the two piece stock and the cock on closing. I like the looks of the "Jungle Carbine" but I hear the recoil is a bit much. Would a WWI, MKIII(?) be considered one of the "best"? It has to be made in the 20th century, no 19th century rifles. Regardless of Mark# you may recomended, please suggest a price for one in excellent condition. Thanks
Click to expand...

They ARE great rifles - sturdy accurate and fast. The two piece stock isn't a liability - they designed around that. Believe me, the competitors at Bisley used Enfields at long range to dominate those competitions for a whole lot of years, and the two-piece was actually credited with their performance. The cock on closing is odd, but it's also FAST and once you get used to it, it's as natural as eating with a spoon.

The recoil of the No5 isn't anything worse than a 12 guage, even shooting the hotter Mk8 MG ammo or Greek HXP. It's stout, don't get me wrong, but it's not brutal. Offhand it's just a healthy kick. They are wonderful rifles and if you can live with the range idiots repeating the "wandering zero" myth to you, you'll enjoy one tremendously.

As for recomendations, the No4 or No5 actions are the most refined and have the best sights. Either a No4mk1 or mk2 are quite good shooters and can still be had relatively cheaply. The No5's are still available at SOG, but aren't of the utmost quality. The earlier No1mkIII's are fine rifles, but not as accurate as the No4's and have tangeant sights.

Don't worry about makers, they ALL produced excellent guns - some will tell you the wartime Brits aren't as accurate because of rushed production, being bombed, etc. but in my experience they only cut their corners on fit and finish - the performance is on par with post-war Canadian and Savage produced guns.

You owe it to yourself to own at least one. They are sturdy, comfortable and a joy to shoot - and best of all soaked in history.
 
What I really, really want is a Lithgow; one of the Aussie rifles with the snazzy looks of the SMLE but the groovy ladder sight of the No.4...
Click to expand...

I don't think the aussies made any like that; all of those i've seen were number1 mk fives, and were of english make.
 
Okay, it's a No.1 Mk. V I want, then.
Click to expand...

Tamara, if i remember correctly, the No.1 Mk.V was a developmental model between No.1 Mk.III and the No.4, made during late 1920s or early 1930s. Very few were made in UK, maybe several thousands. I beleieve that these are strictly collector items by now, unlike surpulus No.1 Mk.III or No.4s.
 
Yeah, I saw one at the last show for something like three-and-a-half, but held off, mistakenly thinking that a Lithgow was the same thing, but cheaper. D'oh! :(
 
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