Army cadets and Lee Enfields

[Jabotinsky]

I was in the Sea Cadets (RCSCC Amphion) up to the end of 1983. At that time we drilled with Long Branch No.4 rifles de-activated by no other means than removing the bolts as I recall. We had 5 or 6 .22 CNo.7 rifles for Friday night shooting at the now demolished Nanaimo Military Camp indoor small bore range. We also got to shoot the C1A1’s twice a year on the outdoor range as well. The local Army Cadet Corps and Reserve unit would bring the C1’s as well as a few Stens and Ingles HP 9mm’s. One year a Bren showed up that to my memory was being shot to use up the last to their 303 as the DND had demanded the rifles return for destruction. I still remember that rhythmic Thump….Thump….Thump the Bren made. I so wish I could own one……

That was case back in the UK, Once the .303 was used up. The Bren was then used just for drill purposes although it was retained by HM armed forces in 7.62. Can't beat as you say the Thump of a Bren!

In my detachment we had a sergeant instructor who had his firearms certificate. He would often bring along on weekend exercises his own Browning Hi Power and to a 12 year old cadet's delight a Sterling Armalite AR18. One of our other instructors often played enemy and carried a Armi Jaeger AK47 8mm blank firer.

Great days and great memories.

 

[Deckard]

We took Army Cadets to the range now and then. They loved the C2 especially. Today they want to Liberalize Cadets.

 

[my72jeep]

This.

Having worked with 3 and 1 CRPG on a number of occasions, I can fairly say that most of those No4's are fit for the scrap heap by the time they are done with them. I saw a number of well maintained and cared for rifles amongst the senior rangers... but that was not the majority.

The concept of weapons maintenance doesn't really seem to be driven into them. Either that or it's simply a case of what is given has no value.

My $0.05 is its a gimmie gimmie culture they know if needed we will give them a new one.