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The Rifle Factory at Ishapore (RFI) produced in excess of 1,400,000 SMLE Mk I, Mk III & III* in .303 calibre.
They later went on to produce approximately 425,000, 2A /2A1 SMLE rifles in 7.62x51 NATO.
Despite the .303 calibre SMLE being declared obsolete in 1995, the venerable SMLE rifle is still seen on the streets of India.
In Uttar Pradesh, for example the most populous state in India with over 200 million residents, the Enfield still forms the greater part of the Police Armoury. In 2016 122,00 SMLE’s were held Police armouries of which 58,853 were in .303 calibre. With large stocks of .303 ammunition being readily to hand.
In addition to the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifles, India produced the FN FAL variant (the 1A). AK47s and INSAS 5.56mm rifle are also held.
A replacement programme for the Lee Enfield’s has started but it is not anticipated that this will be completed for a number of years.
Will the SMLE’s then appear on the surplus market? Don’t get your hopes up yet, it is reported that they will be passed to the Prison Service.
This is just one Indian state, how many SMLE’s languish in other Police and Military armouries across the county?
Fortunately Range Days in France always keeps a rack full of SMLE's and a ready supply of .303 ammunition. its one of our customers favourite rifles and will remain so for years to come. Why not and join us to shoot this excellent rifle.
The Rifle Factory at Ishapore (RFI) produced in excess of 1,400,000 SMLE Mk I, Mk III & III* in .303 calibre.
They later went on to produce approximately 425,000, 2A /2A1 SMLE rifles in 7.62x51 NATO.
Despite the .303 calibre SMLE being declared obsolete in 1995, the venerable SMLE rifle is still seen on the streets of India.
In Uttar Pradesh, for example the most populous state in India with over 200 million residents, the Enfield still forms the greater part of the Police Armoury. In 2016 122,00 SMLE’s were held Police armouries of which 58,853 were in .303 calibre. With large stocks of .303 ammunition being readily to hand.
In addition to the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifles, India produced the FN FAL variant (the 1A). AK47s and INSAS 5.56mm rifle are also held.
A replacement programme for the Lee Enfield’s has started but it is not anticipated that this will be completed for a number of years.
Will the SMLE’s then appear on the surplus market? Don’t get your hopes up yet, it is reported that they will be passed to the Prison Service.
This is just one Indian state, how many SMLE’s languish in other Police and Military armouries across the county?
Fortunately Range Days in France always keeps a rack full of SMLE's and a ready supply of .303 ammunition. its one of our customers favourite rifles and will remain so for years to come. Why not and join us to shoot this excellent rifle.
