Rimfire said:
Hey everyone.
I've become totally hooked on Lee Enfields lately, and I'm thinking I would like to get one for my next purchase.
What is the most popular/affordable model? I understand there are a lot of manufacturers, but I'm guessing British made would be the best collector wise
Any suggestions on where to look (besides the EE) and how much I am looking at spending?
Thanks!
It used to be the case that the #5 Jungle Carbine was the most expensive, due to the small numbers made, it's appearance and handiness as bush gun, though it's recoil tends to shy away many potential users. While price will depend upon condition, I did purchase one in good condition for about $250 two years ago, followed by another in VG condition for $350 with taxes. I would think that $300 to $450 would be a reasonable range.
The No4 Enfield varients used to be available relatively cheaply, but have gone up considerably in price. The Canadian Longbranch rifles are particularly sought after (at least in Canada) while the Americans are particularly fond of the Savage produced rifles. Post war Canadian Longbranch rifles might be more attractive from a shooter's standpoint, as they'll have the best sights and machined, not stamped parts. Similarly with the UK rifles, I suspect that the better made post-war #4mk2 is more popular than many of the wartime produced rifles. If you can get any of these in VG condition with a decent bore under $300 you are probably doing well (I got a VG 1944 Maltby two summers ago for $220 shipped), though decent Longbranches sell on this site for over $350 all the time and sell fast!
The No1mk3 Enfields are usually slightly less expensive than the No4s, generally because of their open vs peep sites, lower average condition, and perhaps lesser accuracy do to a thinner barrel (though I'm not sure if that really factors into most of the shooting that people do with these rifles, except for long range target shooters). Some of the Indian rifles were produced into the 1960s and show up in good condition or arsenal refurbished. The Austrailian Lithgows were very common several years ago, though the Auzzies tended to put them to full use that showed on many examples. I think that you can still get #1s for under $300 and that you should consider them seriously, perhaps with preference over British or Australian rifles.
There is also a 7.62 version of the Lee Enfield (#2 and #2a) produced in India in the late 1960's/early 1970s. Common consensus seems to be that they should only be shot with milspec ammo , the "Reduced Recoil" commercial .308 loads or reloaded ammo in the starting range of .308 loadings or lighter. I think that a few have sold around here in the sub $300 range, the benefits of a 7.62 Enfield being offset by questionable prejudices towards their safety and durability. The latter has largely been due to US shooters who developed headspacing issues with their rifles after shooting several boxes of commercial .308 ammo in them. Find out if the rifle has been owned by a sports shooter and whether they fired commercial ammo. Otherwise they are still popular among US milsurp collectors who buy them from dealers.
A few closing points....... The Internet, by making products available to large numbers of people does have the effect of raising prices. You might find asking amongst older hunt camp companions, members of the Legion, reserve Officers or Senior NCO's Mess Associates, farmers, friends and relatives to be worthwhile and rewarding. I've also left out the fact that new, unissued Enfields still pop up, as well as post-war 7.62 conversions for target shooting, but these start at several hundred dollars and go up from there. Occasionally. People are even buying up sporterized Enfields (often under $100) where the barrel and sights have not been cut up, and slowly replacing the wood and metal hardware to restore them to original configuration.
Best of Luck!
Frank
! One of the few best lines i've ever read 
