Parker Hale or Winston Churchill LE 303??

quinnbrian

quinnbrian

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Hello guys ,
I'm looking at buying a No 4 in a Parker Hale, Winston Churchill , my question , which one is the "best" most liked of the 2 , pros, cons . I would like one with the rear bolt release ( have had problems in the past) with worn out front release.
And should I be looking at No 1 too?
Want to keep it for "good" and pass it on to my son later in life. I will use it, deer hunting... A little, target ....
Just finishing my 1942 Savage LE No 4 mk1. I don't know why I didn't start collecting earlier.
So in order to save the "good ones", I'll need a shooter/ sporterized one.
Looking for input, thanks guys
Cheers
Brian
 
Either one started off in the world as a "good" rifle, but heaven only knows what has been done to an individual one since it went out the door. You'll be looking for a "Churchill Arms ...", not a Winston Churchill. There are some really nice examples of remodeled Lee Enfields. Good luck in your quest and enjoy your rifle when you find it.

I have one each of Churchill Arms No. 1 and No.4. The No.1 I bought in 1965 for $65.
 
I think Parker Hale made more, but if they made them better than Churchill or it was the other way around, the use and care of the individual rifle since then is more important than who made it (I believe that applies equally to which manufacturer made the original service rifle and how many rifling grooves it has.) I have a Long Branch No.4Mk1* made into a PH Supreme and it's a good hunting rifle that I wouldn't bother to replace with a Churchill, but I have seen Churchills that I would be just as happy to have if they had got to me first.
 
Churchill was a British gunmaking firm. Name was acquired and used by a successor company. Sported LEs have noting to do with the original company.
Other old, prominent companies were acquired for their names as well.
Whitworth, not Whitney. Another old name.
Interarms (founded by Sam Cummings) owns/owned Whitworth, and some other names.

Assuming good bores, proper bedding, these sported rifles are good hunting rifles. Usually the sporting stocks were made by Sile in Italy, same folks who made the stocks for the Parker Hale Mauser type sporting rifles.
 
tiriaq said:
Churchill was a British gunmaking firm. Name was acquired and used by a successor company. Sported LEs have noting to do with the original company.
Other old, prominent companies were acquired for their names as well.
Whitworth, not Whitney. Another old name.
Interarms (founded by Sam Cummings) owns/owned Whitworth, and some other names.

Assuming good bores, proper bedding, these sported rifles are good hunting rifles. Usually the sporting stocks were made by Sile in Italy, same folks who made the stocks for the Parker Hale Mauser type sporting rifles.
Click to expand...

So I guess , there about the same, on build quality ,just have to find one in good condition.
Thanks for the input.
Cheers
 
I have examples of both, and they are of comparable quality. Sidenote - Parker Hale made varying grades of models... If I were to buy again, I would check to see if the rifle was drilled and tapped. Some were done for the Parker Hale mounts (pricey), some were dome for the Weaver T-01 mount (cheap), and some werent drilled at all.
 
cosmic said:
I have examples of both, and they are of comparable quality. Sidenote - Parker Hale made varying grades of models... If I were to buy again, I would check to see if the rifle was drilled and tapped. Some were done for the Parker Hale mounts (pricey), some were dome for the Weaver T-01 mount (cheap), and some werent drilled at all.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at 3 Churhill's right know, 2 have removable mags, one has a bottom plate. the one with the bottom plate, has front sight protector and the wood look nicer... maybe an upgraded model?
The Parker Hale, I've look at, is on the EE right know, nice rifle in good condition, but has the front bolt release (didn't want the front bolt release)
I want one, and going to get one...just looking for the right one :)
 
I'm not aware of any LE sporters that had a fixed or hinged floorplate. That rifle might be a Mauser style action, perhaps even a Pattern 14 Enfield. Personally, I prefer the removable 5 round magazines on a sporter - the mag sits flush with the stock.
 
cosmic said:
I'm not aware of any LE sporters that had a fixed or hinged floorplate. That rifle might be a Mauser style action, perhaps even a Pattern 14 Enfield. Personally, I prefer the removable 5 round magazines on a sporter - the mag sits flush with the stock.
Click to expand...

yep...I didn't know they made one...then the guy sent the pics,. the gun in great shape and the floor plate "looks like a short mag (flush mount) but doesn't move.
 
quinnbrian said:
yep...I didn't know they made one...then the guy sent the pics,. the gun in great shape and the floor plate "looks like a short mag (flush mount) but doesn't move.
Click to expand...

I recall reading articles back when the rifles were selling for $35.00 about guys sporterizing and customizing them. I do recall a couple of articles about cutting mags off so they were flush (I did that) and another about having a gunsmith either make or modify and install a hinged floor plate to an Enfield. Same era you could buy a kit to put a hinged floor-plate on a Mauser. This is likely a custom job.
 
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