Time for something older - SMLE advice for first time buyer

[AL8]

Simon at highwood classic arms is a very nice bloke, have a chat with him and see what he advises

[Jon B]

Have a word with Paul at Thames Valley Guns in Thatcham.

www.thamesvalleyguns.co.uk

[shugie]

There are some good videos on Youtube: type in Enfield Accurizing, including how to check if the bore is shot out.

Thanks for the tip, just watched this one and found it very useful indeed.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsNCqqWg ... WeLXO5TteA[/youtube]

Would that technique work with other rifles, not just .303?

[Steve E]

It will work with any caliber but it is not a very precise way to check the condition of the bore. There are proper bore gauges that you drop into the barrel that will tell you alot more than trying a bullet in the muzzle. Any decent gunsmith will have a set of calibre specific gauges.

[Tower75]

Plenty of folk on here can offer advice, ooman. Personally, we like older 303s, and purchased ours from

http://www.highwoodclassicarms.co.uk/

Simon Pemberton sold to the Badger!? I'm going to 'ave to 'ave a word with him about that. What did you do, stand on stilts, wear a trench coat and a hat?

[Tower75]

Oh, and just to add my peace. If you want a shooter, and a looker, you cannot go wrong, in my opinion, with an SMLE or No4.

Yeah, okay, you could get a target .303 with cut wood and twiddly-adjustabable sightamajigs, but there's nothing like cracking off a round from an old war horse like an SMLE. They're probably more accurate then you think, too.

[Watcher]

This is my 1941 Lithgow; I keep thinking I'll sell it then I realize that I just can't

[Gaz]

Things I look for in Enfields:

1. Good condition crown. It should be circular, with no scratches, dents, dings or other damage. Any visible wear is a big negative sign for me.
2. Bright bore. Unlikely on such old rifles, but it should at least be brighter than the blued exterior. Looking for bulges etc is best left to someone who knows what they're looking for. Rust is easily seen as dark patches which look at first glance like small specks of fouling.
3. Positive adjustment on the sight. For a SMLE, does the detent on the elevation scale engage fully and stop it from drifting up or down? On a No.4/5, set the sight to a range, wind it up half a dozen clicks and then back down. Does it come to the same point?
4. Tight bolt. With the cocking piece in the fired position and the bolt closed, try and move it back and forth. Excessive movement is bad.
5. (No.4/5 only) Raise the rearsight, does it flip up and stay in position?
6. Two stage trigger.
7. Foresight hard over to one side or the other. Can (but not always) indicate an incorrectly breeched up barrel or an unevenly bearing bolt.
8. Matching numbers on bolt and body.

[Meaty]

Hello,
Chris at C & G Firearms sells 'new' SMLE's that are made from unissued wartime parts. They do look very nice in the flesh but may not be to everyones taste.
Here is one from the website;
http://www.cgfirearms.co.uk/Handler.ash ... 3&ImgTyp=B
The Trafalgar is this weekend and I am sure there will be a few good examples on show/for sale.
Good luck.

p.s. my mate has a very nice no.4 for sale (I had a look at it at the weekend and it is a fine example) http://www.camphillguns.com/guns.html

[mas36]

Hi all,

New to the forum, but also seeking a 303 to fill a vacant slot. I have a reasonably old SMLE in mind (1918 Lithgow) valued at £500, which I know to shoot reasonably well. I am intending to shoot whatever I buy rather than just sit and affectionately stroke it through the harsh winter nights, and am at the trafalgar this weekend looking at other potential purchases - my query is if I go for one of the older more "collectable" SMLEs, do they have any pressure or other issues when used with factory ammo, such as the HXP sat in my cabinet, or is it ok?

mas36

Common sense is so rare these days it should be classed as a super power......