New Enfield Day -- Formerly "Just got a lead on a Lee Enfield"

[Candyman87 10]

Hi all-

 

Just got a lead on a Lee Enfield No. 1 from a friend of a friend and I'm going to go for it as long as it's all legal. I've always found the Lee Enfield's fascinating.

 

That being said, what to look out for? Potential legal issues? Etc.

 

 

[intercooler 41]

nope...all good.

make sure it headspaces and is not shot out.

[Candyman87 10]

Woohoo! New toy!

[GRIZ 3,369]

What kind of legal issues are you concerned about?

[Candyman87 10]

Just double checking with a second set of eyes. Wanted to make sure it wasn't on any list of banned rifles like the M1 Carbine. I don't recall seeing any Lee Enfield's on the list but wanted to make sure.

[GRIZ 3,369]

Just double checking with a second set of eyes. Wanted to make sure it wasn't on any list of banned rifles like the M1 Carbine. I don't recall seeing any Lee Enfield's on the list but wanted to make sure.

There are no bolt action rifles that are on the NJ AW list.

[amish869 6]

Lets see some pics when you get it!

[Iggyort 44]

You will find this useful. Good luck with your purchase.

 

 

 

 

http://www.enfieldresource.com/

 

http://www.leeenfieldrifleassociation.org.uk/page.php?domain_name=leeenfieldrifleassociation.org.uk&viewpage=home

[Candyman87 10]

Thanks guys! Don't worry, photos are coming soon!

 

Iggyort, thanks for those resources. I've got some reading to do!

[Candyman87 10]

Hi guys -- 

 

I picked up the Enfield the other day... turns out it wasn't a No. 1 but a No. 4 Mk. in .303 British I which excites me. I've always found the variations of the No. 4 rifles fascinating.

 

Here's what I know for... Canadian made Long Branch Armory produced 1944 No. 4 Mk. I* that was converted to a Mk. 3 later in life. The conversion makes it a No. 4 Mk. I*/3 and was done at Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakerley via factory through repairs. 

 

 

It was sporterized later in life and currently sports a less-than-original stock which I'll be looking to replace. But here she is in her current glory... the stock is nice and fits me well. Just not original. I'll be working to track down proper surplus stock to restore it to its former glory.

 

 

Don't worry, I've got headspace gauges on the way. Want to double check the headspace before I shoot it. The previous owner only fired 20 rounds through it and sold because he wanted something with more affordable ammo. Right up my alley since I've been looking for a new round to reload.

[magnawing 5]

check with Sarco in Easton...they carry quite a variety of old MilSurp stocks and parts.  Not sure about Enfields though.

[redwings9 5]

Very nice and congratulations on a fine piece of history. Please let us know how you make out after firing it.

[usnmars 136]

Springfield sporters has complete stock sets with bands for the no4 for 65.00

[RecessedFilter 222]

Sucks it has been sporterized but if you like it then that's what matters. Let us know how it shoots! 

[scarecrow 0]

Nice, I had a MKII # 4 once and let get away. Wish I still had it

[usnmars 136]

Cheaper than dirt has Greek .303 for an awesome price right now

[Candyman87 10]

Sorry about the delay in getting back with a range report. 

 

First things first, the headspace gauges arrived and the bolt closed on the field gauge, with my #1 bolt head. I spent some time searching and tracked down a #2 bolt head that brought the headspace within just within "go" specs and well within "field" specs. 

 

I finally got her to RTSP last weekend with the girlfriend. She was as excited to shoot as I was. Shooting seated using a rest, I was able to pull my face back from the stock once I sighted in for the first round (just in case) and had no problems, so I got behind the gun for the next few rounds. 

 

I was shooting at 15 yards (iron sights and 11x18" targets) but was getting 1" groups from a less than stable position. I tried a few rounds standing using the sling to brace, and was hitting the same decent groups. Then I let the girlfriend finish the box once I was confident it was safe to shoot.

 

My opinion? Lots of fun. Less recoil than I had anticipated (but then again I was shooting 150 grain soft points instead of 174 grain FMJ's, but we'll see what happens when I get out to Cherry Ridge with it) and got some looks. It's a shame it was sporterized, but I'm going to leave it as-is right now. I'm not a huge fan of the sights (but I can get used to them) ... after all the Enfield was a battle rifle, not a target rifle. I was hitting center mass of whatever I was aiming at. It'll definitely do.

 

And I'm no longer looking to restore it. After taking a tape measure to it, the barrel was cut down when it was sporterized, so it's actually too short for the proper stock and fore end. Either way, sporterized or all original, I've got a gun that shoots great and looks cool and definitely has some history.

 

More range reports coming once I get it outside to have some fun

[Candyman87 10]

Cheaper than dirt has Greek .303 for an awesome price right now

 

I saw that, and am strongly considering it. I do have some Pakistani surplus as well as a few boxes of PPU that I'm planning on reloading the brass.

 

If its still there and I'm shooting it a lot, I'll go for the Greek... until then, I've promised the girlfriend no more major gun purchases until we figure out our new living arrangements. All I know, it'll have his and hers gun safes