Enfield hard on left-handed people?

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majormarine

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is Enfield hard on left-handed people?

i am a left-handed person, and i always use my right hand to hold the forehand of a rifle and my left hand to squeeze the trigger and then cycle the bolt. i have no problem cycling the bolts of a mauser, mosin nagant, etc. but for an enfield, upon closing up the bolt, i feel a tension working against me, and when i sucessfully close the bolt up, the bolt handle almost always snaps at the lower part of my palm (ouch!).

can any left-handed persons enlighten me with their experience? :rolleyes:
 
I've never had any trouble with it. I'm working the action of my No.4 right now just to see what I do and it appears I instinkively tilt the rifle on a 45 degree angle (to the left) while I reach over and work the action with my left hand. Makes it easier and no pain here:D
 
the first time i shot a No.4 i punched myself in the nose pulling back the bolt, and now like Ljungman i always tilt her a bit. There is zero pain now, guess the only thing that erks me is i lose my sight picture between every shot.
 
In had similar problems with enfields for years . always found it hard to close the bolt due to the cocking on closing design. I had a roommate leave dies brass ect. for .303 behind when he left. gave them away to another friend with a .303 because I never planned to buy one due to the difficulty with the bolt. then I inherited my grandfathers Parker & Hale sporter. I don't know what is different about that rifle but I can run that one smooth as silk . so of course I had to buy new dies brass ect. I don't know if P&H did somthing to smooth the bolt or maybe they changed springs whatever is different it works.
 
Lefty Lee Enfield

I have been handling and shooting Lee Enfields left handed for many years. I have never had a problem pinching my hand with the bolt, however. I too have found myself tilting the rifle when I fire it, especially rapid fire (which I can do as fast or faster that many of the right handers at my gun club). As far as the bolt being difficult to close, you may have to just use a little more force. It is very unlikely that you will break anything. If you are using reloads, and they are not from that rifle, that can make it difficult to close unless you are full length resizing your brass. Something you may want to check.
 
left handed people aren't allowed to use enfields.

they said so when they designed them.

not allowed.

stop that.

seriously though, my buddy is left handed, and he and I always have a huge laugh when he tries to operate my no4 and no5.

he's tried several methods, but what he has found is that he'd probably just practice and get used to shooting them right handed.

it seems the least complicated method, albeit a bit...devoted..?
 
I am left handed and have owned or shot most common military bolt actions. The trick is, when closing the bolt push it and turn it with the palm of your hand. Fingers not needed. This turns the motion into a gross motor skill using your whole arm. With practice it is very quick and smooth on a SMLE.
 
On a slightly related note, has anyone ever read the M1A owners manual? It so Anti-left it's rude. It says that if your a lefty, you should learn to use it right handed because that's the way "Uncle Sam" wanted it.
 
Left handed shooting with the Enfield was not forbidden. The British sniper manual refers to allowing shooting from the left shoulder if that is the shooters master eye.

From the manual:
12. Many good rifle shots shoot from the left shoulder; this is not always due to the fact that they are left handed, More often than not it is a question of eyesight; most people have one eye stronger than the other. It is important that the sniper knows and uses his master eye for shooting if he can.
Click to expand...

That said, there should still be better training and stern discipline at a young age to break lefties of their bad habit, so they may properly fit into society. ;)
 
J.P. said:
I am left handed and have owned or shot most common military bolt actions. The trick is, when closing the bolt push it and turn it with the palm of your hand. Fingers not needed. This turns the motion into a gross motor skill using your whole arm. With practice it is very quick and smooth on a SMLE.
Click to expand...


Heel, yes.

and the funny thing about this advice is that this is how one should use a bolt action period, left or right.
 
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