Lee enfield

Buy some reference books. Stratford's are affordable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1882391241/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ji4aFbNYW3N2M

Enfield Rifle No4 Mk1 would be my preference.

No matter if you go with a No4 Mk1 or a No1 Mk3, make sure it is in it's original military configuration and had not been "bubba'd"

Gunny and others can give better detailed advice I'll just say look for bore condition and proper function, there are various origin to be had, British, Canadian, Australian and USA Savage made. If you go for a No4 MK1 or MK2 I'd gravitate toward one that has a flip up ladder sight it is easier to sight in to distance than one like Savage that typically has a flip sight choice of either 300 meters or 600 meters.

I have three No4 and one No1 M3 so far
View attachment 927907

By the way my Fazakerley made one was shooting to the right, got this sight tool off ebay, made life real easy. Well worth it.
View attachment 927908

Try to find one that has matching receiver, barrel, and bolt. Otherwise you may have headspace issues.

No 1 Mk III* = WW1 and WW2 history. Iconic ugly-bulldog look. Fine blade sight that can be harder to see.

No. 4 Mk 1 = WW2 history. Has a peep sight. Some of the peeps are good and some are fairly crude so research the differences.

No. 4 Mk 2 = introduced after WW2, but has a better trigger. “The best of the breed.”

I like the MKIII*, but nothing wrong with a MKIV.

There's also the No. 4 Mk. 1/2, which is usually a wartime rifle that was updated after the war.

25-5 said:

Enfield Rifle No4 Mk1 would be my preference.

Click to expand...

Agreed. Among these, I think the North American-made ones (Savage and Long Branch) are nicer than those from the three British factories. Savage and Long Branch were not under threat of German bombing, so they were not taking expedient shortcuts.

lionking said:

If you go for a No4 MK1 or MK2 I'd gravitate toward one that has a flip up ladder sight it is easier to sight in to distance than one like Savage that typically has a flip sight choice of either 300 meters or 600 meters.

Click to expand...

The three major types of rear sights are interchangeable. By far the best is the Singer micrometer sight.

Mosin77 said:

Try to find one that has matching receiver, barrel, and bolt. Otherwise you may have headspace issues.

Click to expand...

On a No. 4, make sure the bolt handle is stamped with the same number as the receiver. (Headspace can be corrected by swapping bolt heads.)

I've got a No. 5 Jungle Rifle and really like it. Don't understand where the "harsh recoil" comments about it come from, by milsurp standards it's not a kicker at all.

Is it a WWII rifle.... ehhh, kinda. IIRC they were used as paratrooper rifles in the war, but the Mk III and No. 4 are definitely more iconic.

If collecting WW2 rifles the Lee-Enfield #4 is your main candidate even though the #1 Mk III, the main battle rifle of the Brits & Canadians in WW1 was also seen in the second world war as well. I gotta admit to a preference for that rear peep sight of the #4 as my eyes age. But they're both nice and both use the same ammo. Do some research on them and look around. Here's a 1945 Long Branch #4 Mk I *.....

I've got a 3,4 & 5. Two of which I got on the trading post here, but they are no longer cheap. I remember the racks of pristine no. 3's in the racks at Woolworth's for $60, If 10 year olds could have bought guns I would have many more. My No. 3 looks great, but the barrel is buggered by corrosion. The 4 & 5 shoot great, but I just love the look of a No. 3 SMLE. I'd stay away from Indian Guns and anything wire wrapped (used for grenade launching). But, at this point, I'd jump on any Brit/Australian Enfield if the price were right. I'd even consider a bubba'ed Lithgow, so I can live out my Crocodile Dundee fantasies.

I think the jungle rifles were mainly modified by Golden State. I have many Enfields, I think they are better than Mausers,,, also have on that has been modified with new stock,, shorter barrel..It is a deadly accurate rifle and I like the looks of the modifications.... I didn’t buy it to make it collectible,, I bought it to shoot, and shoot it does.

Just received an Enfield from my FIL. He said he bought it many years ago and doesn't remember much about it. What do I have?

A sporterized version?

Grayrock said:

View attachment 989511 View attachment 989512 A sporterized version?

Click to expand...

Sporterized Australian Lithgow No.1 Mk.3.

txcookie said:

I'm starting to collect ww2 rifles for shooting and even hunting with. Planning on an enfield next and looking for advise as to what to look for. Any advice appreciated.

Click to expand...

All good suggestions above. The only thing I would add is that .303 Brit. ammo was getting scarce and $$$$ even before China unleashed their bioweapon, but there are a few alternatives-

Quite a few Enfields were chambered in .22LR for training purposes, both new build and arsenal conversions. They command a couple-hundred dollar premium, but you will quickly make up the difference on ammo costs. These are all single-shots, and most use the hollowed out magazine to collect spent shells.

The '50s-'60s era Indian Ishapore 2A is chambered in 7.62 (.308), but are kinda roughly finished. Many have also seen hard usage in the various Indo-Pak wars and are pretty beat up.

Finally, there are the Ishapore .410 musket conversions. These are my favorites, and are mostly built from nicely-finished WW1-production No.1 rifles. They are smoothbore single-shots that have had the magazine well plugged, and were originally chambered to fire a non-standard metal cased cartridge containing either shot or a solid slug. Meant for issue to prison guards, game wardens, and other security troops, the idea was that they would be of little use if stolen or captured by prisoners or rebels. The ones which were imported into the US were rebored to accept standard .410 2.5" and/or 3" shells. Mine is in like-new condition, and a hoot to shoot-

My youngest blasting away with the .410.


Gunny USMC's picture of his .410. Mine looks identical.

Stay away from Royal Tiger Import guns. Lotsa' $ for crap rifles.

Conelrad

Yes, so many small variations that good reference books-Skennerton's-are a must, remember that many saw long service and like M-1 Garands are often mix masters. The No.4 Mk 1 did not appear in any numbers until 1942, Australia never adopted it.

Get a no 4 with peep sights, no 1 has open sights. Hope you reload. If you can find some greek ammo get that, stay away from pakistan ammo (POF headstamp), some of the pof had hang fires.

Helpful video:

Once you get your No.4, you might also consider a P-14 -- not a front-line rifle in either world war (with minor exceptions), but a WWII Home Guard standby. Enfield pattern, made in USA, chambered in .303 British.

Any one you find will most likely have a generous chamber. Don't follow the instructions in your die set and screw the resizer down to the shell holder, instead resize just enough to rechamber the shell in your rifle. Now you are headspacing off the shoulder and not the rim. Your brass will last much longer. You can also make brass from 30-40 Krag. Have fun.

Dave DeLaurant said:

Once you get your No.4, you might also consider a P-14

Click to expand...

Pattern '14's are increasingly hard to find in decent condition. Although, when found, they are generally cheaper than M1917's. I, for one, will continue my search once the gun shows return to normal.

swg1 said:

You can also make brass from 30-40 Krag.

Click to expand...

Or, more likely, you can make .30-40 brass from .303 British.