Lee Enfield

[Beekeeper]

I do not have one and have often thought I was deprived.
If a fellow was going to buy one to restore which one do you suggest?
Have never seen one anywhere near where I live but want to keep it in my little black book in case I do.

Jim

[docone31]

I am partial to the #1, #2 rifles. The #2 uses 7.62 ammo.
I like the lines of the rifle, parts are readily available, and the #2 uses #1 parts except for the bolt headspace, and barrel.
I just like the way they look, and with a good bedding, they are shooters!

[doubs43]

If you're young and have good eyes, the #1 would be my choice. It has barrel mounted open sights. When I was younger I could hit just about anything I shot at with my 1916 London Small Arms #1.

If your eyes are losing the ability to focus correctly using open sights then the #4 with peep sights would be best.... especially the models with the adjustable rear sights. It's also easy to mount a scope on the #4 rifles without altering them beyond removing the rear sight which can be replaced to make the rifle as-issued again.

[oldhickory]

I actually prefer the #4s myself, mostly for the peep sight I guess, but I have a #1 I'm shooting now.

[docone31]

Lyman makes a good reciever sight that fits the #1, and #2.
I gave up on the barrel sight a long time ago.

[higgins]

The No4 rifles have peep sights, which are more friendly to middle age eyes. The main difference between the No4 Mk1 and Mk2 are that the trigger is hung from the receiver on the Mk2 instead of from the triggerguard on the Mk1. There are other variations that can be confusing. I'm partial to rifles in original military configuration, and it's much easier, and more economical, to get one in original condition than to restore. The single biggest mistake I've seen people make in restoring a military rifle is to sand and refinish the stock, often with some shiny wood finish. Look closely at a dry bore before you buy; most have been fired by civilian owners with corrosive surplus ammo and many are not properly cleaned afterward. Visit a variety of milsurp rifle sites and get familiar with the many variations, and what is considered proper restoration (opinions will vary). www.milsurps.com and gunboards.com are a couple of good ones. One will eventually come along, most likely when you least expect it.

Looks like a couple of others submitted similar replies while I was typing - must be several Enfield fans out there.

[RU shooter]

For just to have I like the Savage manufactured #4's ,Just for the "American factor" Or Get one of each #1,4,5 and the Indian A2 They are all great rifles.

Tim

[dromia]

As has been said the No4 is the easiest to shoot as it has an aperture rear sight and target sights can be had a little cheaper than those for the No1.

The No2 Rifle was a .22 RF training conversion of the No1. I think that the the gentlemen above are refering to the Indian manufacture No 2A and 2A1 which were essentially conversions of the No1 Mk111* rifles to fire the 7.62 NATO cartridge.

[docone31]

Yup, 2A.
We have two and we love them!
They take to paper patching as well as the #1 I have. All have the foreends bedded down.

[1874Sharps]

I am very partial to the No. 1 MK III from WWI that I have. Fortunately, the good Lord blessed me with great eyes such that even at age 51 I wear no glasses, not even reading glasses. My focal distance is getting longer, though, and reading glasses help out a bit. Were it not for that I am sure I would be using a No. 4 with the peep sight. My 303 Brit shoots everything very well, from CBs to jacketed bullets. It has just about the smoothest action and bolt that I have ever tried. It is more accurate than I am, and it has a ten round magazine. It was arguably the best battle rifle on the field in WWI and still a good rifle to have at the time of WWII (I think the M1 Garand takes the rifle trophy for that war). My 303 is a BSA and is a fine quality.

[beemer]

I have had several over the years, some I wish I had kept but I don't think one is really any better than the other. That said, I do like the Canadian Long Branch rifles.The post war LB #4rifles were finished out very well.

Dave

[StarMetal]

I've been partial to the Ligthglo Australian MKIII* myself.

Joe

[skeet1]

I am very happy with my Longbranch No.4 MK1 1950 It shoots very welland the sights are a blessing to my eyes.

Skeet1

[Beekeeper]

Thanks for the input everyone.
Will write them down in my book and look for one.


Jim

[corvette8n]

Just got a SOG (Southern Ohio Gun) paper today #4 mk1 $199.95

[txpete]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/303brit016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/303brit012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/303brit004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/303brit006.jpg

I picked these up this weekend out of a pvt collection.

pete

[dualsport]

I've been partial to the Ligthglo Australian MKIII* myself.

Joe

I'll second that, they are very nice.

[PAT303]

Look after that Lithgow Pete,they are very rare in that age and condition. Pat

[txpete]

thanks pat.I had one years ago(1916) that I let slip away in a trade.it looked like it was drug behind a truck but the bore was excellent and it was a super accurate rifle with my cast loads.this one will be passed on to my grandson one day.
pete

[m.chalmers]

Yes, you need an Enfield. One becomes two, two becomes four and so on.

Finding any Lithgow's in new condition with a JJ... import stamp, take a close look as many where put together in the U.S.A. from spare parts.

Buy a book before the rifle. Skinnerton wrote the current Bible.
http://www.skennerton.com/

Enfield forums:
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55
http://www.enfield-stuff.com/
http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

Now, if you want a nice Enfield, call Brian at BDL. Talk to him before you buy. He will find you a safe shooter or a museum piece.
http://www.bdlltd.com/mil_sale.htm

Welcome to my sickness [smilie=s:

[txpete]

these rifles came out of a pvt collection of a good friend.I have looked them over and can't find a import stamp ??.
pete