Lee-Enfield vs. Mauser

[Chris95]

Which rifle would you rather have?

 

[DougW]

Lee Enfield(s)



Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!

 

[Chris95]

I don't mind at all, but you put me to shame.

 

[XxWINxX94]

While both awesome rifles, I would prefer the Enfield.
More mag capacity, better/longer range sights (my opinion), and the bolt on my No.4 Mk I doesn't jiggle at all compared to my Mauser 98.

Love & shoot both often, but prefer the Enfield, (Just wish ammo was cheaper!).

 

[9mmepiphany]

The Lee Enfield was the finest bolt action battle rifle of WW II. It had the largest Mag and the fastest action

 

[DougW]

Chris, it took years to gather that lot. I am honored to share. No shame intended!!

(The devil made me do it!!!)

 

[Curator]

Lee Enfield. You can keep the magazine full and drop live rounds into the chamber without breaking the extractor. Mowzers are nice but The Lee Enfield is a better all-round battle rifle.

 

[Col. Plink]

Not playing in your little poll: no VZ-24 option!

But the last post did hit on my one complaint about the VZ-24: can't just drop 'em in the bore to top-off capacity (5 means 5! Achtung!)

 

[Chris95]

Doug, I just hope I will have a collection to rival your and cratebuilder's collection on day if I don't get sidetracked into U.S. military arms; and best of luck to your sons or daughters in the military.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Rather have a Mauser. Though I came close to buying a Savage made SMLE

 

[evan price]

Sold my Enfield. Bought another Mauser.
Nothing wrong with Enfields. Just not my cuppa java.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Kar98 Mauser...and I do have a sporterized one....or M1903 which of course is another Mauser

 

[jpwilly]

Honestly this was a toss up for me but in the end the Lee Enfield with 10rnd mag and slick / fast action won the day. They are also more pleasent to shoot IMO.

 

[Ignition Override]

Whenever my very modest skills allow me to hit the target from 100 yards (at all) with my Yugo Mauser, will furnish a more objective comparison.

For now, my LE #4 and both #5 "J. Carbines" are preferred.

DougW and Madcratebuilder have glamorous collections, and most #4s were built in North America.

 

[lefteyedom]

If I was at war it would be hands down a Lee Enfield carbine.
If I was going to build a hunting rifle then a Mauser.

 

[4thPointOfContact]

Battle - SMLE
Hunting - Mauser
Target - 1903
Bayonet - Mosin Nagant

 

[murdoc rose]

^
own all 4 atm and 2+ of everything but the m1903 and overall I think the enfield is my favorite

 

[paintballdude902]

i own an enfield and a mauser. plus a no4mk1 that will be used for a .45acp conversion later on (heavily pitted bore and a nice stock set no other parts payed 15 bucks)


i prefer the enfield bolt throw and over all lock up but the mauser has a nicer trigger. overall id take an enfield over any other bolt gun ever made

 

[FX]

Battle - SMLE
Hunting - Mosin Nagant M44
Target - 1903
Bayonet - Mosin Nagant

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have a few of both LE's and Mausers. The Mauser rules accuracy if you can make friends with the sights. I even think the Mauser has more history if that's possible. For an all out, reliable battle rifle the No4 is hard to beat. Generous chamber not effected by dirt, smooth bolt, 10 round capacity, fool proof peep sights and easy maintenance. I think the 10 round capacity is a big deal. In battle suppressing fire is extremely important. At the beginning of WWII the No4 was a formidable weapon only over shadowed by the Garand in 44.

I have read that when the Germans encountered Brit troops equipped with the No4 in some cases thought they were under machine gun fire.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I want a mauser.

But only because I already have an enfield...so my vote doesn't count.

 

[cleardiddion]

Have the best of both worlds!
P14 or P17!

 

[rbernie]

The Lee Enfield has CRF just like the Mauser, and it is far easier to keep running under battlefield conditions due to its exposed locking lugs. For example, get mud into the Mauser's action (specifically in the barrel's locking recesses) and you'll really wish you hadn't...

I also had no issues with the cock-on-close of the Enfield and small-ring Mausers relative to the large-ring Mauser's cock-on-open design.

Gimme a No4MkI and I'm a happy man.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have read that when the Germans encountered Brit troops equipped with the No4 in some cases thought they were under machine gun fire.

That was the No 1. The incidents in question occurred early in World War One, when troops still advanced in massed ranks, and the British used the volley sights at long range.

 

[NCsmitty]

Not to rub some folks the wrong way, but I have always considered the Lee Enfield a much more crudely built rifle. I'm aware of the speed of their bolt action, but also aware of the oversize chambers and the rather weak action compared to other battle rifles.
I consider the Mauser first and the Mosin second for fit and finish of bolt actions, and the Lee Enfield at the bottom of the barrel.
That's the reason why I don't have a LE, and never will.



NCsmitty