[The King of Pants]

I'm shopping for my next rifle and settled on the Enfield in .303. What things do I need to be evaluating/ keeping an eye out for while shopping? How snugly should the handguard fit? Any areas of the weapon that are prone to wear or damage that I need to check for? Are the Savage US Property marked rifles a good buy? And at what price point?

[jpwilly]

Check for matching numbers and condition as usual. The bore is prone to lots of wear and damage due to extensive use of corrosive ammo. Headspacing is also a concern. I picked up one a few months ago that was refinished and I love it. Good luck!

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p38/jpwilly/Enfield2BNo42BMK12B003.jpg

[The King of Pants]

You know, posting shots like that is not helping the onset of my milsurpitis.

[Gustav]

Great choice and a great rifle.

One of the main things to keep in mind is these were usually with corrosive ammo and not often completely cleaned over the years.

In buying one I always bring a bore light or small flash light and a business card (inserted into the action after curling it up) so I can clearly see and inspect the grooves and lands their entire full length, take the time to do so.

Carefully inspect the rifles chamber for any rust or pitting or excessive wear.

Pay attention to the crown of the barrel and the muzzle look for any wear or damage.

If your rifle ends up with excessive headspace the rifles headspace can be changed by replacing the bolt head as there are different sizes.

Check the wood for repairs hairline cracks and splits especially around the trigger guard area and receiver.

It is well worth any extra time or money spent to get a good example these are one of the best of the combat bolt action battle rifles with a proven track record and allot of history behind them.

Also try to pick one that has the Milled ladder type receiver sight not the stamped one or the flip dual aperture one you will probably like it better then the other ones by far, If you find a cherry rifle you can always add one later if needed.

Or for more precise shooting get a Parker Hale replacement rear sight.

Once you obtain yours practice the Walbridge method of operating the rifle it allows you to fire the rifle at a very fast rate of fire.

To start with extend your right hand as if you are giving someone the one finger salute or a birdie.
Cup the rifles bolt between you curled index or trigger finger and thumb.
Use the extended middle or birdie finger to operate the trigger
Practice cycling the bolt while holding it between the curled forefinger and thumb while engaging the trigger with the extended middle finger.

Combine the drill with stripper clips or magazine changes on a firing range and you will soon see why the British Army preferred to SMLE or Enfield's to any other bolt action rifle.

These rifles were built for the harshest of environments and were meant to be used by trained riflemen to win battles, allot of thought and planning went into their development they were among the best in their day.
Get one or more while you can.

Best of luck on your quest I hope you get a good one and this has helped.
;)

[jpwilly]

A few more:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p38/jpwilly/SavageMarkings014reciever.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p38/jpwilly/Enfield2BNo42BMK12Baction2Bangle.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p38/jpwilly/Enfield2BNo42BMK12BUS2BPROPERTY.jpg

[The King of Pants]

A few more:

What should I expect to shell out for a rifle even approaching the condition of that one?

[jpwilly]

I paid $300 but it was refinished. The bore is very good, everything is crisp, and works like new. It's got the 2 grove barrel and shoots straight! A collector might pass but I think it was worth every penny.

[Grandpa Shooter]

If you really want a 303 try a place like Big 5 Sporting Goods. They get in surplus stuff and often can't sell it. Saw one in Phoenix at a store for $149.
Personally, I'd find one from Ishapore arms, a 2A1, in 308. Much easier to find ammo for and newer to boot.

[silverlance]

um.. Ishy 2A1 is not safe to shoot .308 factory in, guys.

handloads, yes, but only up to 50,000 cups.

[Irwin]

Silverlance yes ishys are safe to shoot .308 its only in the .303 converted to 7.62NATO which it is not. The ishys are built on a brand new recivers. Irwin

[jrfoxx]

I got my Savage no4 mkI all matching numbers from SOG for $180 I beleive it was last christmas.Has a fair bit of bluing wear, and quite a bit of whats left has the brown-purple patina (which I actually like the look of and consider a bonus).stock is GREAT, bore was a little rusty, but not pitted at all that I can see, and it shoots great.As others said, the bore and crown are the only places to be concerned with really.The rest is just cosmetic, and personal preferance.Also, dont discount a bore that looks dark as being nessecarily hosed.Mine looked dark when I got it, but the rifling looked strong, and some hoppes and a brush cleaned it up real nice.

Here's mine.All I ever did was clean the bore and bolt, and wipe down, then oil the stock, so this is just how it looked when I got it for the most part.Came with the bayo and scabbard too.

jpwilly's DOES look great refinished though...
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/jrfoxx/SavageEnfield.jpg

[DougW]

All I have to say is get one! The selection is shrinking. Lots of good info here and on gunboards.com.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p118/MDWINK/Countem003.jpg

[Gustav]

DougW

That sir is one nice collection of Enfields.:D

[JHansenAK47]

If you can don't buy without being able to look at it. I ordered a century import and it was a lemon the barrel was a counterbored sewer pipe. My friend got a really nice bore and we ordered the same rifle. I called over to century and they told me they don't hand select you get top of the pallet. So I was stuck with it and sold it to some guy that wanted to do a complete rework of the whole gun, then I took the money used it to help pay for an nice No.4 Mk2 that I absolutely love.

[68'chevelle]

Mine is a 1944 Enfield no4 MK1 made by Shirley at BSA in England, it was sold to the Cadet Corp's and it has a short stock, all numbers matching, I refinnished the wood my self.
http://i9.tinypic.com/6aiae7d.jpg

and I thought mine was in good shape.

[DougW]

Thanks Gustav. Darn things keep multiplying on me!

[armoredman]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/PICT0056.jpg

$50 from a coworker who didn't like bolt action rifles, unfired since FTR in Faz. :) Accurate as the day is long, love it. Only bolt I still own, this is the one I am keeping. :D

[jpwilly]

Nice rifles!

[MJ]

You can still find new unfired #4's frome time to time. Made in the early 1950's and late 1940's.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/5354003.jpg
There are also some nice used one from the late'40's and early '50's the have been around but still have EX bores and matching #'s including magazines. Some times the wood is a little wierd.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/DSCF9675-1.jpg
The Long Branch rifles are nice, like this '42 but the best of them seem to be in Canada.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/LB42002.jpg

It really helps to see them first or some good pictures. If the rifle passes your inspection even a 1941 can nice.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/bkt091.jpg
I even found a VG+ '43 with all matching #'s.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/DSCF0008.jpg
But a lot of peoplle think the Savage's are some of the best made and accurate #4's and lean that way also.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/DSCF0026a.jpg
Like in the five shot groupe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/bkt047.jpg

Shop wisely Grasshopper.

MJ
:cool:

[The King of Pants]

Wow, that is one hot blonde...

[Dr.Rob]

Where are you guys finding these? Impact guns only lists 'good' condition rifles.

[Spiggy]

$50 from a coworker who didn't like bolt action rifles, unfired since FTR in Faz. Accurate as the day is long, love it. Only bolt I still own, this is the one I am keeping.
:P wrong pouches

[nicholst55]

For Enfields in good condition (or better) try BDL Ltd. Expect to pay a premium for them.

http://www.bdlltd.com/

[gb6491]

Wow, those are some really nice Enfields that have been posted!
You can also find some good deals on sporterized (or butchered) No.4's.
I got mine pretty cheap and really found it quite enjoyable refurbishing it (even if it's a novice effort).
http://i16.tinypic.com/630b6ki.jpg
http://gbrannon.bizhat.com/no.4.htm
Regards,
Greg

[MJ]

I like the Russian pouches, good solution.

This pair was only $200 when I bought them for parts but they turned out to be so good I found the recivers I needed some place else and left them alone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/4950Mk201.jpg

I have a few of those around. My bandoleers are all worn out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/montereyjack/4950Mk205.jpg

Cheers
MJ

[KiltedClaymore]

jpwillie, where did you get that rifle? looks like one i restored and refinished for a friend.

[jpwilly]

Got it at a Local Fun Show...Crossroads of the West.

[KiltedClaymore]

estimated date of purchase? know the name of the vendor?

[0007]

Enfields are nice, but I kinda like my P-14... Which reminds me I saw a nice Enfield with the sniper scope mounts on it at a show yesterday. $495 without the scope. Didn't know if that was a good price or a not so good price, so I passed.