Lee-Enfield No 1 mk III* vs Lee-Enfield No 4 mk II?

[Hammerhead6814]

Running around trying to find another K31 I keep running into Lee-Enfields that have been sporterized. Thing is, compared to the K31, Enfields are CHEAP!

One guy is selling his No 1 Mk III* for $130, and another has a No. 4 mk II for $100! Dirt cheap, cheap enough I can hold off on my SKS project to put a little money into one of those L-E's.

So from owners here, which one is superior? The No. 1's or the No. 4's? Both rifles were already modified to the point of no return. Which can aftermarket parts and scope mounts be easily found for?

Finally, what are you using to reload for the .303?

 

[Curator]

Go for the No4Mk2. Heavier barrel, stronger action, easier to mount a scope, probably more accurate too.

 

[GD]

I have two #4 Mk1's and both are more accurate than my #1 Mk 3. My two K31's are slightly more accurate than my #4's. I have scoped one of #4 Mk1's and one of my K31's with no drill mounts. They are rock solid.
I actually like the sights on the #1 better but better sights did not make it more accurate. I would suspect that those with aging eyes would like the sights of the #4 better (peep sight).
Both have very similar bolts that cock on close.
The #1 is ugly but it grows on you.
Get both. Prices are climbing.

 

[cleardiddion]

I've had both.
Both shoot about equally, but it's a different story when it comes to asthetics.

Just something about a No1 with the 17in bayonet mounted makes me wanna smile.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

No. 1 Mk. III will have a more interesting pedigree. The No. 4 Mk II's are usually more sound, having seen far less use and war as a group, than the other, and have better sights to start with.

But since they have been bubba'ed, no telling. I to a No. 1 Mk. III and fully restored it about 17 years ago, but I have no idea if parts are still available from Gun Parts and the like.

 

[Limeyfellow]

Advantages of the No4 Mk2
Heavy free floating barrel
Less likely to be heavy used (some were never even issued
Lots of easy non altering scope mounts
I love the peep sight
Stronger action
The trigger is mounted to the receiver, fixing a problem with older Lee Enfields if you are out in the open with rapidly changing humidity.

Disadvantages
Possibly it will have a Beech stock instead of a Walnut stock.

No1 Mk3

Advantages
It likely to have a more historical background
Can mount a big arse 18 inch bayonet on the end
Probably has a faster action.

Disadvantages
I never cared for leaf rear sight, but it works well
Harder to mount a scope too
More likely to be much more used or rebuilt

If the No4 Mk2 is in really good like new condition, jump on it. Otherwise you might want to look at the No1, especially if you are buying for the historical surplus nature of the rifle.