What model Lee Enfield do you recommend?

mississaugagunnut

mississaugagunnut

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Hello fellow Gun Nutz,
I am thinking about getting a Lee Enfield to add to my small collection. I will want to use it at the range and do not hunt. I would like it to be all original and in good shape. Is there a particular model I should stay away from? I have looked at the stickys above but I cannot find a thread that gives the pros and cons of each model.

Thanks
 
Any would do.

You need to ask yourself, 'Do I want apeture sights (No4) or open leaf sights (No1Mk3)? Do I want something that my father/grandfather would have carried in a particular war? Do I want to get a bunch of the kit to go along with it? Do I want a carbine (No5)? How much money do I want to spend?

There is also another very closly related branch that you could take. You could get a P14 or M1917. Technically they are an enfield rifle, as they were designed at Enfield Locke. Its just they were all manufactured be Winchester and Remington.
 
mosinmaster said:
Does the SMLE go by #1,2,3,4 bolt heads like the No.4? If not, how do you adjust headspace on the SMLE?
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Nope. With the No1Mk3, adjusting headspace is a bit more along the lines of trial and error. Get a bucket of bolt heads and try one after another. So, get one with checked headspace to start with, and you're likely never going to need to adjust it afterwards.

Lou
 
mississaugagunnut said:
Hello fellow Gun Nutz,
I am thinking about getting a Lee Enfield to add to my small collection. I will want to use it at the range and do not hunt. I would like it to be all original and in good shape. Is there a particular model I should stay away from? I have looked at the stickys above but I cannot find a thread that gives the pros and cons of each model.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I agree with CDN303; personal preference is what matters. Once you've decided, then hunt down one in good shape. But we all know how it goes: you'll get one, then another one, then another... :D
 
Do you like open sights or apeture sights? If you like open sights, get the No.1 Mk.3, if you like apeture sights get a No.4 Mk.1 or No.4 Mk.2.

There is also the No.5 which is a carbine version of the No.4
 
I agree with the above answers Cdn 303 makes some interisting points. The easiest and most accurate (for me) are the No4 and the P14 with the peep sights.
I am older and progressive lenses suck when trying to shoot with open No1 and Mauser sights. I have been into Enfields for the past 40 years and head spacing gages have come in handy.
I would look for a C No4, I find they have better barrels. Or look for a No4 that has FTR on it they have the more desirable upgrades. If you want some information on the No4 you can get a book on the Lee-Enfield No4 & No5 from North Cape Publications Inc. for $16.95 plus S&H.
 
"More or less okay" is all the headspacing you really NEED if you are willing to use a little bit of common sense when firing your ammo the first time.

What you do is slip a thin rubber band or O-ring onto the base of each round, just ahead of the rim, and chamber it like that. The rubber holds the round back against the bolt-face and reduces your effective headspace to zero. Now you squeeze the trigger and your brass blows out perfectly..... and it now headspaces on the SHOULDER. All you do now is neck-size with a neck-sizing die or one of those nice Lee Collet Dies..... and 95% of your reloading problems are history.

I'm using little bands I got from the local Dollar Store: 100 for a buck. Came out of the girls' department in a little blister-pack. Girls use these things for tying off pony-tails and braids, but there is nothing in Holy Writ that says you can't use them for blowing out brass.

End result: more accurate ammunition!

Hope this helps.
.
 
I started with a Longbranch #4 Mk1 *, then got a sweet Lithgow #1 Mk3 wire wrapped. I thought that I had enough Enfields until I saw a nice Winchester P14 for sale, and got that because of the historical lineage. Now, I have a M10 Ross (sporter, but still a Ross!), because, hey, it shoots the same cartridge as an Enfield. Now I am keeping my eyes open for a #5 "jungle carbine"....they are like peanuts and tattoos, one is never enough!!!!:D
 
The no.4 is better for shooting than the no.1 mk.3 to me. The sights are better and they are not as finicky to get to shoot accurately what with the no.1 mk.3's screws for adjusting upward pressure on the barrel(don't know what the proper term for it is). Generally no.4's can be found in better condition as well, a plus if you like to shoot a lot.
 
smellie said:
"More or less okay" is all the headspacing you really NEED if you are willing to use a little bit of common sense when firing your ammo the first time.

What you do is slip a thin rubber band or O-ring onto the base of each round, just ahead of the rim, and chamber it like that. The rubber holds the round back against the bolt-face and reduces your effective headspace to zero. Now you squeeze the trigger and your brass blows out perfectly..... and it now headspaces on the SHOULDER. All you do now is neck-size with a neck-sizing die or one of those nice Lee Collet Dies..... and 95% of your reloading problems are history.

I'm using little bands I got from the local Dollar Store: 100 for a buck. Came out of the girls' department in a little blister-pack. Girls use these things for tying off pony-tails and braids, but there is nothing in Holy Writ that says you can't use them for blowing out brass.

End result: more accurate ammunition!

Hope this helps.
.
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Get your magnifying glass out. Right near the bar code it say that if these are used for anything then doing hair, God will kill a kitten. :)

I joke, but seriously, where was this trick, boxes on boxes of ammo ago.
 
Judging by the variety in the responses, it looks like
maybe a better question would be,
"Which Lee Enfield should I avoid?" :)

There have been a couple of Long Lees in the EE lately.
Oh my! but they are pretty.
 
albayo said:
I agree with the above answers Cdn 303 makes some interisting points. The easiest and most accurate (for me) are the No4 and the P14 with the peep sights.
I am older and progressive lenses suck when trying to shoot with open No1 and Mauser sights. I have been into Enfields for the past 40 years and head spacing gages have come in handy.
I would look for a C No4, I find they have better barrels. Or look for a No4 that has FTR on it they have the more desirable upgrades. If you want some information on the No4 you can get a book on the Lee-Enfield No4 & No5 from North Cape Publications Inc. for $16.95 plus S&H.
Click to expand...



i just bought a no4 mk1 ftr 1963 and dont know a darn about them. can u give me more info on them.
 
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