forget it
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
I was watching a video yesterday, some nice Canadian content - and it suggested that every Canadian owns one of five type of guns: a .22LR, a shotgun, an SKS, a larger caliber bolt action hunting rifle, and....a Lee Enfield... I own all the above except for the Enfield, and it has always been something I am compelled to consider, except the ammo is just so expensive. So if that video is any indication, I'd be surprised if there is enough of an audience to put the hate on for Lee Enfields. I am looking for one myself and while maybe older guns are not for everyone, I would get a LE primarily for the historical aspect. I don't think it's a bad looking rifle at all, and for what it is, I would think it would been fairly innovative for its time. If I can afford the ammo at some point, that will be a bonus.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Was about first rifle our Dad bought for me to use for deer hunting. My hands were never big enough to properly use that safety lever on the left side - so I didn't use it - just left the bolt handle up. No doubt Sargent Majors all over the world would roll over in their graves over that.
As if they were designed at a time when a fighting man made good use of a pike against horse cavalry, and perhaps to be used as a club in a melee. Were NOT designed as hunting rifles, or target rifles. I suspect for many years, even the notion of an Infantry foot soldier firing many shots was a bit frowned on - hence the magazine cut-offs. But entities like LEE SPEED came up with some very cute and useful hunting tools, from that original design.
As if they were designed at a time when a fighting man made good use of a pike against horse cavalry, and perhaps to be used as a club in a melee. Were NOT designed as hunting rifles, or target rifles. I suspect for many years, even the notion of an Infantry foot soldier firing many shots was a bit frowned on - hence the magazine cut-offs. But entities like LEE SPEED came up with some very cute and useful hunting tools, from that original design.
Their old and not worth their price tag. Now if someone was to make a new production line I'd be down. Same goes for the k98 but I'm not about to put 450-1000 into a rifle that's as old as the lee enfields are. Sorry to all those millsurp loving folks but I see no upside to owning a ww1 or ww2 rifle that's been heavily used. I'd much prefer a new production rifle with a warrenty and part support.
- Location
- Newfoundland
My only hate is the same hate I have for most military surplus stuff, expense, full wood Lees are quite expensive IMO so I’ll keep shooting my sporters bought for 200$
Wallenstein
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Not the Fraser Valley
What does the Enfield add ?
A 22, a Shotgun, a SKS and a larger cailber Hunting Rifle.
All of that makes sense, you cover all the bases with that setup.
Reg# 43897
Member
- Location
- New Brunswick
Love 'em...
- Location
- SE corner Sk
I don't hate the lee enfield, don't like that their not left handed. Never fired one so can't comment on them...
I don't disagree with you but that's just what the video suggested. I would think perhaps for the people who owned the same four types that I own, the fifth type is more likely a modern sporter in .223/5.56. A lot more people I known own a sporter over an Enfield. And I suppose someone could suggest the fifth category is a handgun/pistol/revolver. I guess it also depends on who you talk with - perhaps the Enfield is more of a must have with the collector's group or those who have other surplus firearms already.
I wish they came in 22 gauge!
Seriously , I dearly wish my 1947 Faz Jungle Carbine was a .308…..
Cheers, Barney
They were in production late enough that they'd started being made in .308 but there aren't a lot of those around.
Older rifles that are still milspec and have WWI or WWII provenance are getting to be significant collector's items.
Sporterized examples are ubiquitous and likely to be in the hands of many Canadians. It's an inexpensive full-power rifle suitable to a lot of hunters, especially if they aren't having to buy a high round count worth of ammunition and aren't looking for something scoped. And they still have part of that aura of military history about them.
There are cheaper and easier rifles to feed, though, for those of us hauling cases of ammo to the range.
lol I feel you on that one. I have a sporter Enfield, was my first hunting rifle, came off the EE. Doesn't see much use these days between being the wrong hand and the cost of ammo though.
