Canadian Rangers and the No.4 rifle

[Claven2]

The only thing that embarrass me about the old Enfields is how some Canadians talk about them in such a derogatory fashion...pretty shamefull. IMHO they are still damn fine rifles.

Way I see it, a correct Enfield is a damn fine rifle. A chopped sporter Enfield, however, is a POS claptrap.

 

[deanml]

Not PC but...I would have pointed out that those Enfields can still get 'Minute of Nazi accuracy' at 1200 yards!

Too funny.
It doesn't matter what you think of the rifle, if it's doing the job it was intended for then it's doing a good job. If they needed a slingshot they should be issued a slingshot. I don't think that issuing a more complicated rifle like the FAL would solve anything other than resupply. I also agree that giving the Rangers a semi would be bad press, due to the overwhelming ignorance of the media on anything involving guns. These rifles are not being used in a modern combat scenario, therefore they do not require a modern rifle. Age doesn't matter if the rifle is meeting the needs of the Rangers. Technology doesn't make everything better. It's a goddamn shame all those #4's were scrapped, I'm sure they could have found a nice home with many of us.

 

[Calum]

Way I see it, a correct Enfield is a damn fine rifle. A chopped sporter Enfield, however, is a POS claptrap.

From a collector point of view, and one I share also, but I wouldn't trade my 2'Sportsterized (before I got them) Enfields' for any of the "Magitus" space guns they make today.

IMHO as long as the metal is uncut, there is still hope at putting good wood back on, and saving another one from the smelter...these old girls deserve better.

 

[Monty]

What? You don't think they look good bubba'd?

To be honest, I've got a bubba, too, but it was done well...

 

[stencollector]

Not PC but...I would have pointed out that those Enfields can still get 'Minute of Nazi accuracy' at 1200 yards!

Or as the vets used to say: "They were meant to put round holes in square heads".
Again, not PC, but reflected the type of ideas that had to be instilled into ordinary men to make them able to take another man's life

 

[Bobo-the-monkey]

I hear a lot of people badmouth the Lee Enfield as well. I dont know why, it is has got to be one of the most reliable and tough battle rifles ever produced. The Lee Enfield Family was in service for how long????? and the .303 was a primary combat round for how long? I am no expert but sounds to me like it is a damn fine rifle. I cant complain about it at all. The only thing that gets me is when I see one that has been abused by its owner, I tend to get a little twichy. Every Enfield has a story behind it and I am a military history buff. Hate to see them shown disrespect. Then again, prehaps I am just a sentimental fool.

As for the new manufactured parts I commented on in an earlier post, I checked again with my CQ and he confirmed that they have a contract for production of Brand New parts for the No 4s. He is goning to try and find out which parts are new manufacture and which ones are old stock, repackaged. As for the No 5 sights packaged as No 4 sights, that is 100% accurate. I have a wide variety of sights in my spare parts bin that I take with me when I go make house calls to our Ranger patrols. Including No 5 sights.

 

[Riflechair]

As per this article http://www.sfu.ca/casr/mp-enfield.htm
A Modest Proposal – Simplifying Supply – 7.62mm for the Rangers?

I think its a far cry from being likely although not entirely unreasonable. The Lee Enfield is a fine rifle and the best bolt action battle rifle ever conceived.

However if the enfield is ever to be replaced it will most likely be replaced with a commercial contract rifle such as the winchester model 70 or remington 700. Our Ranger equivalents from Denmark (Sirius Patrols), tour Greenland using the model 70 winchester chambered in .30-06 springfield. They call it the Gevaer M/53 but its basically a winchester model 70.

Regardless IF it happens I hope they decide to stick with a bolt action rifle in a believable calibre.

PS: Monty - I just about vomitted all over my monitor when I saw your Butchered Lee Enfield. Not much makes me queezie - but hey "Love is in the eye of the beer holder".

 

[millwright]

Hi Bobo the monkey. Welcome. Question, what repairs do you find are the most common on the No 4's. Would like to put a parts kit together to go with my enfield to keep 'em going and going. Thanks

 

[SKScanuck]

My bubba jo

My Baby:

No matter how you look at them, they are fine rifles.

 

[Monty]

PS: Monty - I just about vomitted all over my monitor when I saw your Butchered Lee Enfield. Not much makes me queezie - but hey "Love is in the eye of the beer holder".

Bloody hell, it's not mine! I copied it from another thread. Isn't it hideous?

I'm in agreement with you on the Win 70 or REM 700 - or how about a Tikka T-3?

 

[Garand]

More likely a weapons tech. Ammo techs rarely come out of their holes unless there is a serious munitions incident, or there is free beer on at the mess.

As a RETIRED Ammo tech, I find that I spend more time in the field, than some of those in the Combat Arms. In fact last year I put more C4 down range than the Engineers in Afganistan. Yes I did!

One reason that nobody considered as to why the Forces won't issue the C1 is the relative easy young infanteers (like myself 100 years ago) found to make it go full auto.

If your buying IVI .303 ammunition in your local store, it has been stolen and keep in mind if you are serving military and caught, you are elligible depending on the quantities and circumstances for an all expense paid vaction in SDB. Just a thought.

By the way I am an Enfield lover myself, and the numbers on the (T) are matching.

 

[John Sukey]

Have one 20 rd box of that stuff, and the RCMP has NO jurisdiction in Arizona! LOL
By the way I have no intention of shooting it, collection purposes only.

 

[Calum]

Actualy the RCMP can come pay you a visit, but I'm sure they have bigger things to worry about.

Besides lots of this ammo is floating around here in Canada.
and No I don't have any.

 

[Stevo]

One reason that nobody considered as to why the Forces won't issue the C1 is the relative easy young infanteers (like myself 100 years ago) found to make it go full auto.

Nah, the real reason they won't give us the C1's is because they look "scary" as opposed to the "warm, fuzzy" feeling you get from a No. 4.

I think the best replacement (should it ever happen) for the No. 4 would be something like the Savage 10FCM Scout in .308. Ghost ring sights, with a rail for LER scope or red dot and able to use 7.62 NATO. Plus about 2 1/2 pounds lighter.

 

[stencollector]

One reason that nobody considered as to why the Forces won't issue the C1 is the relative easy young infanteers (like myself 100 years ago) found to make it go full auto.

I remember one guy did this to his C1 when we were the rear ech guards waiting for an attack. We were only firing blanks, but the rifle froze up with the action to the rear. At the end of the excersize he had to turn the rifle in with the action still stuck to the rear, and the little wad of tinfoil still located in the trigger mechanism (more details left out cause I don't want to be accused of telling anyone how to make a C1 F/A, although I think anyone with a FN likely already knows, but can't do it cause he can't get an ATT anyhow)
Fortunately for him there was no real way of tracking who had the rifle, and by the time the weapons techs managed to get the rifle opened, he was out of their grasp.

 

[savagefan]

Ah yes smokers' acoutrements, tin foil or paper match sticks. SKSCANUCK I like that stock is it Ram-line?

 

[leftent]

The more cunning guys acquired C2 change levers. But it is illegal to do so it is a moot point.
(Lots of things are illegal [like drinking and driving, stealing cable signals and boinking other people's wives]...if you do them, so us law-abiding citizens don't)
BTW: The IVI .303 is readily available at the local gun shows.
It may well be legit for civvies to own. I really wouldn't be surprised if some was sold as surplus over the years.

 

[Stevo]

BTW: The IVI .303 is readily available at the local gun shows.
It may well be legit for civvies to own. I really wouldn't be surprised if some was sold as surplus over the years.

Crack is readily available too, doesn't mean it's legal.

This ammo has never been surplused. I do understand that, ahem, "inventory contol", has been a problem for a number of Ranger Patrols.

 

[Bartok5]

The more cunning guys acquired C2 change levers.

It takes more than the change-lever to do the "dirty deed" on a C1A1. If you want/need true select-fire (vice the match-stick auto-only option), there is another piece required to "amend" the C1A1 rifle. For obvious reasons I won't divluge that on this forum.

Been there, done that while wearing the uniform back in the day.....

 

[John Sukey]

Actualy the RCMP can come pay you a visit, but I'm sure they have bigger things to worry about.

Besides lots of this ammo is floating around here in Canada.
and No I don't have any.

By the time the RCMP got down to Arizona, they would most likely die of dehydration or melt! What the heck, we have enough Mexicans not making it through the desert, so a couple of mounties wouldn't be noticed. Make sure they come in July!