lionking
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2006
- Messages
- 3,109
recently bought a Longbranch photoed here........
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=346786
I enjoy it alot.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=346786
I enjoy it alot.
Lee-Enfields
- Thread starter cleardiddion
- Start date
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Sethsquatch
Member
SMLE Sling Question
I just acquired an Aussie Lithgow 1941-2 SMLE and managed to find a matching Lithgow bayonet. Can anyone tell me which sling would be historically correct for this rifle? Any help would be appreciated.
I just acquired an Aussie Lithgow 1941-2 SMLE and managed to find a matching Lithgow bayonet. Can anyone tell me which sling would be historically correct for this rifle? Any help would be appreciated.
DMK
Member
Ishapores are without a doubt the best! Just kidding. 
I'm partial to the Canadian Longbranch No.4s, although Savage made No.4s are neat too because they were made in the USA.
I'm partial to the Canadian Longbranch No.4s, although Savage made No.4s are neat too because they were made in the USA.
spiroxlii
Member
DMK, I know a lot of Enfield shooters are snobs who consider the Ishapores junk, but once you get your hands on one, they somehow grow on you! I have a mid 1960s Ishapore 2A, and now I can't stop. Next I want one of the single-shot SMLE conversions done at Ishapore. They made them in .303 British and .410 bore.
I have a mid 1960s Ishapore 2A, and now I can't stop. Next I want one of the single-shot SMLE conversions done at Ishapore. They made them in .303 British and .410 bore.
DMK
Member
I was just joking around.
I have three Ishys, a No.1 mkIII and two No.2As. they are fine rifles. Not a thing wrong with them.
Limeyfellow
Member
If you can find one, an L39 or L42 Lee Enfield would be the cream of the crop, and likely put you back a few thousand dollars should you ever find one for sale.
Pre War NoI MkIIIs with the magazine stops and older windage adjustable style sights is a must for any serious lover of Lee Enfields. One thing to be careful about is many of the adjustable windage sights were pinned into place to stop them doing that and if you force it, you will break the rear sight. Then the long range volley sights. A real rifle.
Lithgow no1s are also rather nice. You can find many WW2 made ones used by the aussies, and come with gorgeous wood.
If you can find one of the Lithgow No1 snipers. That too is pretty rare and wonderful in everyway. Behind that is the No4 snipers that are a little more common, but has a real bad problem with fakes.
No5 Lee Enfields are rather nice, but cost quite a bundle and once again many No4s got cut down into fake ones during the 50s and 60s. Rather stout to use however.
The No4s are awesome. I much perfer the peepsight over the others, but that is personal preference. They have a heavy barrel and wonderful in every way. In the US you will pay a premium for the Savage built ones, much like in Canada the Longbranch ones cost more. My best No4, is a No4 Mk1* Longbranch that I use for competitions and hours of fun.
For a really good shooter, look for an unissued No4 Mk2. They are much rarer nowadays and come with beech wood, instead of the walnut of older rifles, but tend to have perfect barrels. I am still on the look out for one of these for my collection.
We can't forget the Ishapore 2a and 2a1 in 7.62mm Nato. Sure they don't have the refinement, but they have a far commoner round to use.
There are so many Lee Enfields that they are all real wonders. Just keep an eye on the quality. In the past I paid anything from $40 to $250 for various versions and there are some real bargains out there.
Pre War NoI MkIIIs with the magazine stops and older windage adjustable style sights is a must for any serious lover of Lee Enfields. One thing to be careful about is many of the adjustable windage sights were pinned into place to stop them doing that and if you force it, you will break the rear sight. Then the long range volley sights. A real rifle.
Lithgow no1s are also rather nice. You can find many WW2 made ones used by the aussies, and come with gorgeous wood.
If you can find one of the Lithgow No1 snipers. That too is pretty rare and wonderful in everyway. Behind that is the No4 snipers that are a little more common, but has a real bad problem with fakes.
No5 Lee Enfields are rather nice, but cost quite a bundle and once again many No4s got cut down into fake ones during the 50s and 60s. Rather stout to use however.
The No4s are awesome. I much perfer the peepsight over the others, but that is personal preference. They have a heavy barrel and wonderful in every way. In the US you will pay a premium for the Savage built ones, much like in Canada the Longbranch ones cost more. My best No4, is a No4 Mk1* Longbranch that I use for competitions and hours of fun.
For a really good shooter, look for an unissued No4 Mk2. They are much rarer nowadays and come with beech wood, instead of the walnut of older rifles, but tend to have perfect barrels. I am still on the look out for one of these for my collection.
We can't forget the Ishapore 2a and 2a1 in 7.62mm Nato. Sure they don't have the refinement, but they have a far commoner round to use.
There are so many Lee Enfields that they are all real wonders. Just keep an eye on the quality. In the past I paid anything from $40 to $250 for various versions and there are some real bargains out there.
BBroadside
Member
I'm curious to learn more about the No. 4 rifles cut down to be fake No. 5s. How do you identify one? I'm curious about them. I already have an authentic No. 4, and have no real interest in a real No. 5, but I'm toying with the idea of making a short Lee into a scout rifle. Stock doesn't need to be original, and should preferably have plenty of bare barrel. (My previous goal was a Gibbs Quest Extreme, which fit the bill pretty handily, but they're out of production and I haven't found any at any of the online brokers.)
I guess what I don't know is, how do you search for a shortened No. 4? Or should I just look for barreled actions and a good gunsmith?
I guess what I don't know is, how do you search for a shortened No. 4? Or should I just look for barreled actions and a good gunsmith?
351 WINCHESTER
Member
BBroadside, I almost bought a Gibbs Quest Extreme. You might want to do a search on this forum for that post as all I got was negative reponses.
The No. 5 is an interesting little beast. Most notable, the distinguishing marks that reveal it to be a "true" No. 5 are the buttstock with rubber recoil pad and side sling mount. Another difference is the bolt handle "ball" is milled out. There are also several areas that have additional metal milled away in an effort to lighten the weapon. These can be found around the base of the barrel, and on the receiver. In addtion, there is the distinctive flared flash supressor and the shortened forestock. One last difference between the No.4 and the No.5 is the graduated rear sight. On a No.4, this sight adjusts to 1300 yards, while on the No.5 it goes up to only 800.
While I haven't fired on myself, I have read several reports that it kicks significantly more than the No.4.
While I haven't fired on myself, I have read several reports that it kicks significantly more than the No.4.
cleardiddion
Member
I don't know much about LE's still but I do recall hearing about number 5's being notorious for a 'wandering zero'.
Jeff F
Member
The best of the No4's IMO are the Mk2's. I own 2 of them a 53 and a 54 and have looked at at least a dozen more. They are by far in the best of shape and the two I have are very accurate.
BBroadside
Member
"BBroadside, I almost bought a Gibbs Quest Extreme. You might want to do a search on this forum for that post as all I got was negative reponses."
I did the searches. I suppose now I don't have to shed a tear at the passing of the Gibbs Rifle Company any more! Their weapons certainly did sparkle in the photos, though.
Methinks building a scout rifle takes some deep thought.
I did the searches. I suppose now I don't have to shed a tear at the passing of the Gibbs Rifle Company any more! Their weapons certainly did sparkle in the photos, though.
Methinks building a scout rifle takes some deep thought.
Zouave Rifle
Member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2008
- Messages
- 54
I've got a #1 MkIII* from Lithgow in Australia, made in 1942. It's a decent shooter. The brass gets stretched a bit at the head of the cartridge on one side when I fire it; maybe excessive headspace?
I also scope mounted it, but that might have been a mistake, as it's a good clean rifle in good condition. I used a B-Square no gunsmith mount, but had to run a tap through the mounting hole because the threads were mangled. I also had to put a cheek piece on the rifle so my face would line up with the scope.
I also scope mounted it, but that might have been a mistake, as it's a good clean rifle in good condition. I used a B-Square no gunsmith mount, but had to run a tap through the mounting hole because the threads were mangled.
I also had to put a cheek piece on the rifle so my face would line up with the scope.
DougW
Member
Guys, politics are the root of the "wandering zero" on the #5mk1. The English Army wanted to go to an auto loader, and the #5 was in the way.
I have fired mine in a vintage match, and it was great (although I was not). I love mine, and it is accurate. Check out the group:
This group was from the bench with the micrometer sight set at 200 yards, my reloads (40gr IMR4895, 150gr spitzer), and a nice day. Yes it does kick more than a #4, but an M44 kicks harder. I love shooting the #5!
I have fired mine in a vintage match, and it was great (although I was not). I love mine, and it is accurate. Check out the group:
This group was from the bench with the micrometer sight set at 200 yards, my reloads (40gr IMR4895, 150gr spitzer), and a nice day. Yes it does kick more than a #4, but an M44 kicks harder. I love shooting the #5!
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