303 REPRODUCTION

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seb1

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Hi all,

I wonder if the legendary 303 is being remake with modern technology? this rifle is very nice and though and i badly want one. The only one i see is two or three decate old, i want a brand new one with 2007 metalurgi. So if anyone know who making them please tell me.

thank
 
What the heck are you referring to? The cartridge .303 British? Rifles that shoot that caliber? I'm not at all clear what you are talking about!
 
There was/is a new version of the Enfield No4 made in Austrailia, very breifily imported in the US, decent reviews. The Ishapore 2A rifles are 1960s made, with update material, in .308, but actually based on the NO1 design. Also decent rifles, with a horrible finish.
My Longbranch No4MK1* is an excellent rifle, that will outlast me.:cool:
 
I was talking about the 303 lee enfield used in the world war. I think this is a nice gun but i only see used one, i want a brand new one with modern technologi.
 
If you are talking about a "New" .303 Brit Enfield Rifle, they are probably not made for the same reason that not many new M1 Garands are being made....

$$$$$$$

Look at the M.S.R.P. that Springfield Armory wants for their "New" M1....Not listed on their website now (P.O.R.---Price on Request) but IIRC, the price was around $1,200 last year for the .30-06.

I would guess that a "New" SMLE would be over $800.
 
I assume you're talking about a reproduction of one or another of the Enfield "battle" rifles.

The problem with many of these older designs, is that they don't lend themselves well to modern mass production techniques (CNC). I'm looking at my enfield, and I can see where it'd be very difficult (meaning it would take alot of machining steps).

So, while it could be done, the cost would probably be 3 or 4 times (I'm guessing) what a new bolt action Rem/Win/Savage costs. Not much of a market for a $2000 100yr. old design.

Plus there are plenty of older ones in good shap available, pretty cheap, and many would prefer the "history" of the older gun, even if its not in perfect condition.
 
An Aussie company is making "Modernized" Enfield rifles in various calibers from .223 to .308. They resemble #5's.
 
There was a place named Gibbs Rifle Company that was around awhile back that offered remade and new production .303 British Enfields, but I don't know if they're still in business anymore. Some of them were even made in stainless steel and had a small survival kit located in the stock. Awhile back, someone told me that they're not around anymore. As of a year ago, their site was still up. Do a search, even if they aren't in business, individual people will still have used ones for sale.
 
WHY????

Seb1--The several models of Enfield rifle saw millions of Tommies through two World Wars, and were famous for their reliability.

The .303 British cartridge is not a particularly high-pressure round.

What for do you need "upgraded" metallurgy on such a firearm?

Just curious.
 
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You can still find "new" mummy wrapped S.M.L.E.'s. They are a little more expensive, o.k. a lot more, but brand new as in unfired condition. Since the metallurgy used in the construction of my 103 year old rifle has held up fine, I don't see why a "new" one wouldn't last at least as long .
 
Where?

Wheeler, where can we find these mummy-wrapped SMLE rifles? Most of the Enfields that I've seen lately are the $109 ones from J&G in "good" condition, which they define as "may have some surface corrosion."
 
mummy smles? I've seen no.4 mk2s mummies on some online auction sites (going at $600+!!!) but not no.1s... Mummies are expensive. You could buy a stripped no.4 mk2 receiver if you wanted to and build it up... The only new production enfield is the Aussie AIA but their only in 7.62x51 nato and 7.62x39..

Maybe you would want a nice Ishapore 2a/2a1 - indian 1960-1980s production updated no.1 mk3 in .308!
 
 
There was a place named Gibbs Rifle Company that was around awhile back that offered remade and new production .303 British Enfields
Click to expand...
Gibbs used original barreled actions. I know for fact that I've seen No.4 based rifles that were made on Long Branch actions, and I believe a Savage as well. I have also seen 7.62 Nato Gibbs rifles made with RFI actions as well. Even the .45-70 rifles use surplus actions that were heavily reworked.
 
The problem with many of these older designs, is that they don't lend themselves well to modern mass production techniques (CNC).
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what could be done on an turret lathe or vertical mill that couldn't be done on a CNC milling center or lathe. Just the fact that the CNC could automatically change to one of several dozen tools and (in the case of a mill) cut radii or angles with interpolation would save a receiver from going from machine to machine and set up to set up numerous times.

What operations in particular would be harder on a CNC?
 
given the number of surplus ones avaialble and the low demand it doesn't make financial sense to manufacture them today espeically with the dozens of more modern designs avaiable. the demand is would just not be there.
 
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