Short Barrelled Lee Enfield?

Eric_911

Eric_911

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So there's lots of bubba'd Lee Enfields here in Canada that might not be getting the shooting time that they deserve.

As a manually cycled firearm, its barrel length can be modified to no less then 18". However, it can be rebarrelled to a shorter barrel that is a new production barrel. (as long as the OAL remains over 26")

If a manufacturer was to step up and make some "short" (14"-16" perhaps) Lee Enfield barrels, do you think they would be well received?

I think it would make for a pretty handy rifle and it might give a lot of old shot-out, or bubba'd LE's a second lease on life.

Before the milsurp purists get all up in arms, I am not advocating the butchering of the intact full wood beauties, but old beaters that cannot be restored to their former glory.

I did a quick photoshop-chop of a pic found on the internet. Just food for thought.

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It would be hard on the ears, but some powders are much worse than others.

The shortest Lee Enfiled barrel I have ever seen is 2". The muzzle pressure was so high it blew open the back end of military bullets so that they looked more like little badminton birds.
 
savage express said:
Looks like a great truck gun. How much velocity would be lost?
Can you photo shop one with a synthetic monte carlo.
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Not the slightest idea about ballistics. I would imagine quite a bit of velocity would be lost, but it would likely be negligable given the accuracy of the shorter sight radius, and the typical range of engagement for a rifle of this genre.

LE#4MK1: A full wood #1mk3 would look sweet. Going to p-shop one now.

Edit: here we go. :D

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Well, I handled a chopped one at the range in the beginning of November and it was very light and handy with an 18" barrel. Considering how much it hurts to shoot my No.4 Mk.1 sporter, I have no desire to try one out though. If I could find a stock that fits me properly, it would be OK, but not with the stubby little stock on mine now.

Mark
 
Often wondered what i was goin to do with an ole no1 mk3 that i bought cause the monte carlo wood was fantastic. I switched the wood over to my hunter, and wasent sure what to do with the action and barrel that was left over. this thing is hoplessly bubbad cause the charger bridge and sights were milled and removed. A good "quad gun" would result out of an old scrub like the one i have. I even have the bantam stock to go with it.
Now, i jsut gotta find time to do it.:yingyang:
 
savage express said:
Figured it out. Been playing with the idea myself although 18" (legal BS). Although a 14"-16" barrel might be worth it
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that thing looks like the the model marketed by EATON'S back in the late 60's early 70's- not a bad rifle for what bubba had done to it-
 
Nice idea as a truck gun with a removable mag you would meet the requirements of having an unloaded firearm in the vehicle. The thing is that most bubba'd Enfield's or worth more in parts than as a whole rifle... I just bought two extra No.4 mags, not cheap anymore! If I had a fubar'd one I think I'd be tempted to part it out & scrap the receiver if it couldn't be sold or given away...
 
I have an 18 inch sporter in a synthetic stock. its my deer gun. its a no 4. Beded, very acurate, I kept the no4 front sights. Looks sweet even painted it a bit of digital camo, duracoat. The balanace on it is jsut about perfect with the pivot point being just infront of the mag. Very handy rifle. but as stated its a bastard to shoot if you are not holding on tight!!

Pic with me the 1st week of Nov.

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I hunted with a No.5 a bit. It was too nice to bubba and the buttstock was too short for me to shoot it well, but overall it was short and handy enough for me to think it was a nice size for a hunting rifle. I wouldn't bother trying to make one shorter in .303. If you are going to the trouble and expense of rebarrelling you should certainly also consider at that time whether you want to change the caliber. There have been successful conversions to 7.62x39mm to take advantage of cheap surplus ammo for plinking, .45ACP so you may be allowed to use it on indoor pistol ranges, and .45-70 for hunting.
 
the tanker idea has been around for a long long time . ive built several. never gone any shorter than 20" to. be easy to go shorter, but why? 20 inch is perfect in my idea. can swing it around in a truck cab , dont need any shorter.
i would like to build one in 7.62x39 if i could find the correct romainian mag like John sukey talked about. not many of them in canada hear

IMG_3089.jpg
 
Beater said:
the tanker idea has been around for a long long time . ive built several. never gone any shorter than 20" to. be easy to go shorter, but why? 20 inch is perfect in my idea. can swing it around in a truck cab , dont need any shorter.
i would like to build one in 7.62x39 if i could find the correct romainian mag like John sukey talked about. not many of them in canada hear

IMG_3089.jpg
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Beater....that is one nice looking tanker. Your inspiring me. I have an enfield 45/70 conversion I was thinking of putting sporter wood on but full wood would look very cool
 
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