Well if I had a choice in WW2, I would pick my Mauser. The only thing that I do not like about the Lee Enfield is the possibility of a rim jam if the stripper clip or magazine is not loaded properly. With a Mauser, you just charge the magazine and go.
Enfield vs Mauser old school throwdown
- Thread starter davemccarthy707
- Start date
A true historian would note that no individual rifle won any war then would go on to babble about majority of casualties coming from machine guns and artillery etc etc etc etc....
That's not what the Germans thought in the early stages of WW1. The added benefits of a ten-round magazine also count for a great deal when you need to put a lot of lead in the air.
tac
Yeah, but the jam was when you got it stuck!!!
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I'm pretty surprised at the results.
I've had so many LE's over the years with all sorts of issues, but nary a hitch on a mauser, that it's a no brainer for me.
Absoulutely no comparison in terms of reliability, none whatsoever.
I've had so many LE's over the years with all sorts of issues, but nary a hitch on a mauser, that it's a no brainer for me.
Absoulutely no comparison in terms of reliability, none whatsoever.
They had straight bolts on the gew9. The k98k with its bent bolt is far easier to manipulate.
If I'm limited to the Lee-Enfield (in whatever model/mark) and a Kar98K, I'm taking the Lee-Enfield for one reason and one reason only:
That 10 round magazine!!
5 more rounds than that K98 means I'm still shooting while he's reloading.
The bolt system of the L-E (#### on closing) is also a bit faster to manipulate than the bolt on a Mauser (but not by much at all).
Given the choice, I'm picking up a STG44 and ammo!!!!
That 10 round magazine!!
5 more rounds than that K98 means I'm still shooting while he's reloading.
The bolt system of the L-E (#### on closing) is also a bit faster to manipulate than the bolt on a Mauser (but not by much at all).
Given the choice, I'm picking up a STG44 and ammo!!!!
Having hunted extensively with both over the years in all kinds of harsh conditions including extreme cold, blizzards, freezing rain, dust, etc., I know which one I'd choose in a heartbeat. My user name should make it obvious which one.
Reliability trumps a slightly faster rate of fire any day for me.
Reliability trumps a slightly faster rate of fire any day for me.
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
For me it would a k98k sniper, for longer shots. But within 200 yards battle radius it would be the Lee Enfield.
I am surprised that so many are 100% in favour of the No.4. It has a lot of faults, and I will likely get flamed for pointing them out.
1. No way to strip the bolt for cleaning in combat, without a special tool. During beach landings, etc. this would be a MAJOR PITA. A friend dropped his SMLE overboard, cleaned it as best he could, but the mainspring shattered within the month. With a Mauser, you can totally strip and clean the bolt in a minute.
2. A blow on the trigger guard of a Lee - Enfield can ruin your trigger pull, or worse, as the trigger is pinned to the guard.
3. The Mk.1 rear sight is too slow to adjust when time is important. The Mauser rear sight adjusts quickly.
4. The butt on the No. 4 frequently works loose, and when it does, you need the armourer to tighten it.
5. Ten round mag is neither here nor there. It takes twice as long to load as a five rounder.
6. Some Lee-Enfields are nearly impossible to cycle when the bolt is dry. The Mauser works almost as well oiled, or dry.
7. You can dismantle a K98K completely with only one screwdriver. The No.4? Nope! Take it to the armourer...
I love my Lee-Enfields, more so than my Mausers, but I have to say that I see a lot more L-E's with all kinds of issues, than I do Mausers.
1. No way to strip the bolt for cleaning in combat, without a special tool. During beach landings, etc. this would be a MAJOR PITA. A friend dropped his SMLE overboard, cleaned it as best he could, but the mainspring shattered within the month. With a Mauser, you can totally strip and clean the bolt in a minute.
2. A blow on the trigger guard of a Lee - Enfield can ruin your trigger pull, or worse, as the trigger is pinned to the guard.
3. The Mk.1 rear sight is too slow to adjust when time is important. The Mauser rear sight adjusts quickly.
4. The butt on the No. 4 frequently works loose, and when it does, you need the armourer to tighten it.
5. Ten round mag is neither here nor there. It takes twice as long to load as a five rounder.
6. Some Lee-Enfields are nearly impossible to cycle when the bolt is dry. The Mauser works almost as well oiled, or dry.
7. You can dismantle a K98K completely with only one screwdriver. The No.4? Nope! Take it to the armourer...
I love my Lee-Enfields, more so than my Mausers, but I have to say that I see a lot more L-E's with all kinds of issues, than I do Mausers.
I'll agree that the sights on the No4 are better but I can also shoot the K98k pretty darn accurately. I've shot better groups with k98k's and other mausers than many of the No4's I've shot. The Mauser sights aren't the best but not utter crap either.
