entropy
Member
M1917.
A No4 is not an SMLE. The No1 MkIII is an SMLE. The No1 MkIII was designed SMLE to differentiate it from the No1 MkI, MLE. Since the MkIII was shorter is was given the S in front of MLE for Short Magazine Lee Enfield. A No4 is, Rifle No4 Mk whatever.
Interesting useless fact. The 1907 bayonet used on the No1 MkIII was 17" long so that the tips of the bayonet on the MkI and MkIII would be at the same height when in formation.
Of the two I'd get the 1917. I missed my chance at a unmolested P14 a while back and still hate that I had let it go.
"Better" is highly subjective.Kendal Black, if the P14 was better, why did they go with the No4 Enfield instead? During WW1 they just needed rifles fast, and found the P14 available.
OP, you can't go wrong with either model, but I'd want to check the headspace on both. That might be a deciding factor. The bolt head on the enfield being stamped "1" doesn't really matter, it's bolt setback that matters. Have either or both been rearsenaled? The enfield will be engraved FTR if it has, for Factory Thorough Repair.
Mine is accurate, but I don't shoot it that much -- it's hard to reload those strange cases!Vern, YOU TOO! I have a 1905 Ross that is just like yours. Curiously enough, it is very accurate, despite that grossly oversize chamber. My 1910 Mk III has a fairly tight chamber
Dang lucky! All I can do is neck size them, and that ain't easy!And you're lucky to get more than one or two loadings out of a case, Vern!
Rockrivr1:
That stock looks too good to be on an Enfield #4 Mk. 1, unless very well-preserved. It appears to be the blond color of all #4/Mk. 2s which I've seen.
My .303 cases produce a very narrow, pale ring at the bottom when they stretch too much.
You can also use Russian .310/.311 bullets.
Doesn't the Japanese Arisaka use the 7.7 mm bullets? Whether the same bullet weight(s) is listed in reloading charts for modern powders, have no idea.
The Irish rifles that were 'new-in-bag' were all No. 4, Mk 2.By the look of that rifle (a gorgeous blond Nº4) ... I am wondering if it is one of the new (until the last 10-15 years probably still in its OEM bag) Irish Contract rifles rather than an old, refurbed warhorse. If so, you have scored a real gem.