Rangers and Lee Enfields - "Up Here" magazine

[Riflechair]

Unfortunately there are a lot of boobs in the CF and a significant percentage of them are Rangers.

There are lots of amazing people from all walks of life in the Rangers don't get me wrong but it differs in the extreme from one geographic location to the next. Most of it has to do with the expectations of the established Patrol leadership. My particular patrol is very professional and very proud of their accomplishments. I trust them with my life and I often have to. I know they would not rest until they had accomplished their mission and they know they can expect the same from me.

Patrol`s often lose highly proficient recruits when they see the goof balls goofing off with no order or sense of purpose. A chronic problem for some Patrols.

 

[John Sukey]

I have heard lots of excuses for poor marksmanship, BUT "bent barrels" is a new one

If the barrel was actualy "bent" just what condition is the forend going to be in?

 

[Calum]

If I was in those conditions and had the choice of rifle I'd be packing a Mosin.

 

[macadoodle]

If I was in those conditions and had the choice of rifle I'd be packing a Mosin.

Oh..... here we go!

 

[MapleSugar]

the BIG problem with the semis is they DON'T like to operate at low temperatures- when we were carrying c1s , i don't know of how many times you'd hear of going on ops with them and it was YOUR c1 that went fubar, not their lee- enfields- mind you i have seen a lee-enfield ftf at -40 as well, but the 8mm mauser still kept firing

Were the problems with your C1's a result of the lube you guys were using?

I know a man who used to work in the Northern Albertan oil patch back in the 60's. He would shoot his pistols year round and had a problem with the gun oil freezing or gumming up in the Winter. He said he cleaned all the oil and grease off of his pistols, then coated all the metal with Marvel Mystery Oil. After that, he said he never had a problem with his semi-auto's functioning in extreme cold weather again.

BTW, was it just a regular German Mauser in 7.92x57mm you were using that worked flawlessly in the cold?

 

[cyclone]

If I was in those conditions and had the choice of rifle I'd be packing a Mosin.

The COO might give me pause.......

 

[t-star]

Were the problems with your C1's a result of the lube you guys were using?

I know a man who used to work in the Northern Albertan oil patch back in the 60's. He would shoot his pistols year round and had a problem with the gun oil freezing or gumming up in the Winter. He said he cleaned all the oil and grease off of his pistols, then coated all the metal with Marvel Mystery Oil. After that, he said he never had a problem with his semi-auto's functioning in extreme cold weather again.

BTW, was it just a regular German Mauser in 7.92x57mm you were using that worked flawlessly in the cold?

yea, just your regular 98- with norma surplus ammo to boot- we had special low temperature oil for fns, but it was only good to -35

 

[Calum]

Oh..... here we go!

I'll go even further and say I think the CF really #### the bed on missing out on the surplus market...they could have had probably a 400+ year supply of Mosin rifles, parts and ammo from Russia and it's former satellite states.

And the fact is these rifles have proven themselves and will work under the conditions required. They are easy to maintain, cheap to feed, and can be operated by just about anyone.

I'm still curious as to why the Enfield wasn't built with a cartridge cut-off like the Mosin, so simply a solution to preventing a rimmed cartridge from jamming.

 

[RRCo.]

I'm still curious as to why the Enfield wasn't built with a cartridge cut-off like the Mosin, so simply a solution to preventing a rimmed cartridge from jamming.

Because if you have the brains to load your mag properly it doesn't happen.

The MN was intended for peasant soldiers who had practically no mechanical experience or ability. As a rifle it's far inferior to the No4 for reasons we've discussed in another thread. You like it? Great! More Enfields left for the rest of us!

The Rangers who don't know and don't care will destroy a MN as fast as they do a No4. In fact a hell of a lot faster with the blued finish and bare metal bolts! People who are too undisciplined or untrained to maintain their weapons need training and discipline, not a different weapon.

The only changes I would make to the No4 for Ranger use are a fully chromed bore and chamber, a laminate stock, and a semi-pistol grip butt with a recoil pad.

 

[Otokiak]

I'm just read the UPHERE issue in my office of the Rangers in the Western Arctic ... interesting ... yet quite similiar to us over here in the central arctic in some ways. I know of some rangers who have used their rifles to push off from shore due to no or limited paddles available in THEIR OWN boats for patrols, I've also seen Rangers here who would boot you in the nuts for having a wee bit of rust on your No4 Lee Enfield ... so there is all walks up here I'm sure! I personally have a Lee Enfield I bought myself as I am not a Ranger and have used it as my boat rifle for whales and seals ... it's plastered with rust ... yes I know I should be ashamed of myself ... no worries she'll get cleaned up eventually. I have considered on numerous times to join the arctic Rangers as I could learn quite a few things about survivial on the land(learn something new everytime you go out anyway), get to shoot C7's and handguns and do patrols in areas of land I have possibly not gone thru yet ... however, my work schedule has prevented me for years to join sadly. Interesting read, interesting topic ... I'd like to see the author come over to the central arctic of Nunavut or even baffin Island as i'm sure he'd see a totally different picture ... maybe!

Otokiak
Rankin inlet, NU
CANADA