.303 Enfield at Dunhams
- Thread starter Machete
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sansone
Member
is it one of those Indian-made surplus rifles?
sansone
Member
fair price if Brittish or Canadian, BUT.. there are a lot of bad ones made in funky third-world countries. some of them are deemed dangerous to shoot so be careful
sansone
Member
I would want to know WHERE manufactured
M.E.Eldridge
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2005
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Sounds like a Savage made No.4. If it's in good condition, $179 isn't bad.
dstorm1911
Member
Savage US made $169 bout the average price on em, the $300 tag is in hopes someone walks in not knowin any better just like Big 5 Sporting goods listing Mosin 91/30s at $279 regularly etc.... when they put em on sale at the normal price everyone else charges as standard those who don't know any better figure its a screamin deal....
SigfanUSAF
Member
Savage made, excellent quality. Could be a good price depending soley on condition.
The add says it is a #4 made by Savage. Doesn't list anything else.
CIA has a #4 MK1 British manufactures in fair condition for $130, including Bayo and scabbard. Are the Savage more valuable? From the condition of the other Surplus arms I've looked a there I doubt it would be above fair condition.
CIA has a #4 MK1 British manufactures in fair condition for $130, including Bayo and scabbard. Are the Savage more valuable? From the condition of the other Surplus arms I've looked a there I doubt it would be above fair condition.
sansone
Member
knowing this I would feel confident. condition will be important of course
I bought it. I gave it a good looking over. Only problem I really saw is that I couldn't tell if the barrel had been worn before I bought it, because there was so much cosmoline caked into the rifling. As far as I can tell it's in descent condition, and I'm satisfied with my purchase thus far.
The guy might have been giving me the old "song and dance" because he told me the surplus rifle market is starting to dry up. He said he doesn't think they'll be getting any more Mauser's, or SKS's in. I find this hard to believe, although it's bound to happen sometime.
The guy might have been giving me the old "song and dance" because he told me the surplus rifle market is starting to dry up. He said he doesn't think they'll be getting any more Mauser's, or SKS's in. I find this hard to believe, although it's bound to happen sometime.
Also, is this a good buy, or should I stick to non-corrosive. Feel free to give me some recommendations.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/POF_.303_Brit_FMJ.html
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/POF_.303_Brit_FMJ.html
Limeyfellow
Member
In the US Savages are more valuable because they were made in the US under the lend lease and has US markings on it. In Canada the Longbranch is made valuable. In Britain its the ROF, BSA and Maltby ones. You'll find that happens alot.
The price in good condition is pretty good for a Savage Lee Enfield. Most got for up to $200 or so and normally for about $50 or so more than the other Lee Enfields no4s in the US. Should have a parkarised metal finish and american walnut wood for the stock.
Some good webpages to take you over the basics of the Lee Enfield are as follows.
http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/
http://www.surplusrifle.com/no4/index.asp
dstorm1911
Member
Machete I have a couple hundred rounds of that cr@p, its all click..................... boom and some hot some light loaded I bought it at a gunshow at $4 per 32 rnd box but woulda been better off just tossin the $$ in the street I won't fire it in ANY of my enfields am waiting till we bring out the Bren or Vickers to just burn it up....
Ian Sean
Member
dstorm is right on that ammo....glad I only bought the one (32 rounds) to try.
Several click..........booms, and very dirty.
I have been having good results with S&B .303 ammo...a little pricey but reloadable.
Several click..........booms, and very dirty.
I have been having good results with S&B .303 ammo...a little pricey but reloadable.
DougW
Member
They are nearly gone...
+1 what Limeyfellow said. The Savage made rifles command a higher value in the states because of Savage being the US manufacturer (Savage made more #4's fron early 42 through 44 than any of the other 4 manufacturers). Savages in N Texas run in the $250 to $300 range for a nice one that does not have the CAI "billboard" stenciling. They are DEFINATELY drying up. Surplus ammo, with the exception of the Indian POF (AKA POS) is pretty much gone. Reloading is a good option, and it allows the shooter to use non corrosive ammo in a sweet shooting rifle. I expect the we are entering the times where the value of any Enfield will go up in value the way the Swedish Mauser has. And, look at the value of Finnish Nagant rifles these days.
I just recently made a C&R purchase of a CAI U-Fix-Em Savage #4mk1* and came away with a dandy rifle, missing the safety and front swivel. Springfield Sporters got me Savage marked parts, and I have a very nice Savage for around $100 (bolt doesn't match, but it is a Savage, and headspaced exceptionally well). These days, I will not pass up a good deal on any .303.
Good purchase on a Savage! Good luck and have fun with it!
+1 what Limeyfellow said. The Savage made rifles command a higher value in the states because of Savage being the US manufacturer (Savage made more #4's fron early 42 through 44 than any of the other 4 manufacturers). Savages in N Texas run in the $250 to $300 range for a nice one that does not have the CAI "billboard" stenciling. They are DEFINATELY drying up. Surplus ammo, with the exception of the Indian POF (AKA POS) is pretty much gone. Reloading is a good option, and it allows the shooter to use non corrosive ammo in a sweet shooting rifle. I expect the we are entering the times where the value of any Enfield will go up in value the way the Swedish Mauser has. And, look at the value of Finnish Nagant rifles these days.
I just recently made a C&R purchase of a CAI U-Fix-Em Savage #4mk1* and came away with a dandy rifle, missing the safety and front swivel. Springfield Sporters got me Savage marked parts, and I have a very nice Savage for around $100 (bolt doesn't match, but it is a Savage, and headspaced exceptionally well). These days, I will not pass up a good deal on any .303.
Good purchase on a Savage! Good luck and have fun with it!
aka108
Member
All the No 1 and No 4 Enfields I have purchased came with excellent bores. Even the most inexpensive, which were about 49 bucks in the 80's when the market was flooded with them. Picked up two new unfired pieces for 99 bucks each when they first came from overseas. Late manufacturing run with 1955 dates.
I succumbed and bought one today. They only had two in the store. The one on display was ok, the one they brought out from the back had a beautiful stock, but significant rust everywhere else. The bolt was heavily pitted, the follower and chamber area showed significant rust. Opted for the first one. Now I have to start stocking another ammo caliber (12 now) assuming I can find some decent surplus. Also need stripper clips, sling, etc.
armoredman
Member
Numrich had strippers, (called "chargers" in Airstrip One), when I bought some for my No4Mk1*. Great rifle, have no idea why I waited so long to get one. Mine will print MOA with one handload.
zedheadmc
Member
Congrats Machete and JediJJJ. Hope you like you Enfields as much as I like mine.
As far as milsurps drying up, well yes it is happening. But how fast or how many of what rifles or pistols of whatever model are going is near impossible to tell.
Simple answer is if you find a firearm for sale and you like, then buy it.
As far as milsurps drying up, well yes it is happening. But how fast or how many of what rifles or pistols of whatever model are going is near impossible to tell.
Simple answer is if you find a firearm for sale and you like, then buy it.
Spiggy
Member
Must be canadian! *hahaMachete said:
ahem.
My local Big-5 will carry enfields periodically at the price of 179-279 depending on condition, usually they have very rough barrels, regardless of the external condition, so watch what you're buying.
Great thing about .303brt stripper clips is, you can get a crapload of them at once.
I too, succumbed and bought one today (to replace my old one that nearly exploded <a reoccuring theme with me and old guns> and yes, I ended paying the gunshow premium)
Also, in the same ad, they have 243,270,308, and 30-06 Remington ammo for $11.99 with a $5/box rebate from Remington.....
Dumhams has a lot of surplus rifles, but you better look them over good...Seen the good and the bad there, but at least you can look at a real gun, in person, and not one somewhere in Indaina.....
Dumhams has a lot of surplus rifles, but you better look them over good...Seen the good and the bad there, but at least you can look at a real gun, in person, and not one somewhere in Indaina.....
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