Lee Enfield Rifle ?

winxp_man

winxp_man

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Jun 20, 2009
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#1
Hey guys I search the web a little and not much.

I would like to know if anyone knows what to look for when buying a Lee Enfield No4 MkI. Anything much to look for beside lookin through the barrel and matching serial numbers.

Thanks for any info on this subject guys!
 
#2
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

Don't buy a bubba'd (sporterized) rifle, where either the stock, metal, or both have been cut down.

A barrel with sharp rifling, no rust, and matching numbers all make it a solid investment.



If you want to get accuracy tests out of it, reload your own, start collecting brass now, it's pretty expensive.

I have a little let over if you're interested.
 
#3
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

+1 to one that has not been "sportorized" Buddy of mine did one and now since he sportorized it he can't get it to shoot half as good as it shot in the origional stock. Those barrels require points of contact in order for their harmonics to work right. Just get a matching numbers model and you're set. If you're going to spend that kind of money you can get a stevens 200 for the same price and it would be cheaper to reload, and more accurate. If WWII rifles are just your thing a Mosin Nagant is cheaper to shoot and can be made to be more accurate if you know what you're doing with reloading.

Good luck,
Merritt
 
#4
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

I would recommend that you make the UK and US/Canadian manufactured rifles your first choice, second Australian (Lithgow) - only because some of the tropical "coach" woods used on the Australian manufacture rifles can be a little suspect. Lastly the Indian (Ishapore) rifles - these are not as highly prized as the manufacturing tolerances and QC may not be as high as others.

If possible look for a rifle that has been FTR'd ("factory thorough repaired") - this is a omplete remanufacture at one of the approved arsenals.

I have a 5 groove '44 Long Branch No4 that was FTR'd at Fazakerley (near Liverpool, UK) in 1953. It shoots very well (5 groove barrel) around 1.5MOA at 100m.

One of the key things about the No4 is that the barrel is bearing against the foreend in the correct way. If this is not right then walk away........ To check this, take the muzzle end of ther rifle in one hand, thumb extended along the barrel and squeeze the barrel and foreend together. The forend should move relative to the barrel when about 3lb of pressure is applied.

If you want to get one in the US - try visiting www.bdlltd.com

Brian Dick is an acknowledged expert on Enfield rifles.

Simpsons also look like they have a good chice of rifles : http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=350_351_360&osCsid=f281aa441c3221a628bfa906e4cf71e7

One site in the UK that is always interesting to look at is http://www.efdrifles.com a small independent specialist company.

They have some nice looking rifles at the moment: http://www.efdrifles.com/stock_list.php

Also have a look at the Enfield forum on www.milsurps.com as there is a lot of really good info to be had there.

As others have said - don't even consider a "sportorized" or Bubba'd rifle....there are enough around in good condition to make this unnecessary...and Enfields are great value!
 
#5
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

Might I recommend for your consideration a No. 4 Mark 2. By and large these were made after WW II so the fit and finish are better. They also had a trigger improvement over previous Enfields - the trigger attaches to the body of the action as opposed to being attached to the trigger guard and the stock.

Also, one can find Mark 2s in like new condition. Purchased one last fall from my local shop and when I took it home and stripped it, I realized it had never been fired. Paid $259 for the thing, so they are out there.
 
#7
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

+1

I have an all original 1915 SMLE MkIII made by London Small Arms. It is a great rifle and the action is far and away smoother than the '44 Long Branch! It is not too hard to find good ones still available at the links posted earlier.

Some people will tell you that they group better than the No4 at certain distances (not something I've ever tested though...)
 
#8
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BasraBoy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1

I have an all original 1915 SMLE MkIII made by London Small Arms. It is a great rifle and the action is far and away smoother than the '44 Long Branch! It is not too hard to find good ones still available at the links posted earlier.

Some people will tell you that they group better than the No4 at certain distances (not something I've ever tested though...) </div></div>

I sold my No4 mk2 to get the SMLE and find it way more accurate, that could be down to the rifle or that Ive found a sweet load or that I hate peep sights, who knows but I like the SMLE so much I went out and bought a 1927 .22 trainer SMLE off Bob Bourbage and it is a sweetie as well.
 
#9
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

Showing my age now
wink.gif
....but we used the SMLE .22LR trainers in cadets when I was at school. I blame them for my obsession with shooting! Would really like to find a good one but they seem a LOT more expensive than the .303 flavour.
 
#10
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

When it comes to Enfield rifles these guys can help get you straight.
http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72
I am growing very fond of my No.4's
It is generally thought that for as issued production rifles that the No.4 is slightly more accurate than the No.1's. The No.4's have a stiffer action, heavier barrel and better sights. There is some disagreement and there are bound to be exceptions but that is the general consensus.
 
#12
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

I would suggest an Ishy.

I owned a much used one and loved it. It's properly manufactured to handle 7.62x51 NATO Ball ammo safely, and I have tried it at 1Kyd with 175gr M1A handloads. Lotta kick, not a ton if accuracy; but with NATO ball ammo and at a resonable service rifle distance, not bad for an Enfield.

I sold it in a moment of desperation. Still kickin' myself...

Greg
 
#13
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuscalino</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BasraBoy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1

I have an all original 1915 SMLE MkIII made by London Small Arms. It is a great rifle and the action is far and away smoother than the '44 Long Branch! It is not too hard to find good ones still available at the links posted earlier.

Some people will tell you that they group better than the No4 at certain distances (not something I've ever tested though...) </div></div>

I sold my No4 mk2 to get the SMLE and find it way more accurate, that could be down to the rifle or that Ive found a sweet load or that I hate peep sights, who knows but I like the SMLE so much I went out and bought a 1927 .22 trainer SMLE off Bob Bourbage and it is a sweetie as well. </div></div>

I'd love to get my hands on a .22 trainer. I really like shooting my Savage No4 Mk1*, but my .303 supply is dwindling.
 
#14
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

Anyone know of a gunsmith that will rebarrel a No. 4 Mk 2 including installing the iron sights? I've got one that can't hold "minute of moose" at 100 yards so I'm looking to have it rebuilt just like new.
 
#17
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

alot of these rifles had headspacing issues and this shortened brass life

alot of them have had butchered bolts to increase firing pin strike to guarantee a round going off the brass just gets left behind why reload when you get supplied was the theory of the day.
the trigger is a lil heavy but you can buy another one pretty cheap if u want an adjustable trigger

the smle mk3 is a soft metal not hardened steel
the mk4 has been hardened

the smle needs work to have a scope fitted properly not so sure with the mk4.

you can reload really fast with stripper clips because most/all have a "Lord" for them to go in.

you can also cock this rifle by pulling on the back of the bolt there are 2 clicks one is halfway the other is fully cocked.
reasoning for this its alot quieter than racking a round.

the bore diameter in a 303 is actually .312-315 so 308 projectiles wont work unfortunately

brass life by design isn't the greatest but alot of guys get 3-4 reloads out of em before case separation.

inspect the bolt head make sure it isn't overly pitted (indicating alot of wear) their have been stories of people eating part of the bolt because it has worn out.
inspect the chamber and throat too.

aside from that it is an excellent rifle if treated correctly there is alot of information about them and can be made into highly accurate peices of equipment but time and money are going to be spent on it making that happen
 
#18
Re: Lee Enfield Rifle ?

I have two No4's that are in great shape. Neither has import marks and both have great bores. I bought both for under $250 each, there are plenty out there. Watch the bores because most .303 ammo is corrosive and over 60 plus years can take it toll. There are also some nice No5's out there. Good luck.
 
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