As we have both a Krag (the Norsqueegian version, 6.5x55) and a Lee Enfield or two, this video clip interested us:
Maybe we should have a word with that nice Mr Mercer and suggest a similar set up down at Bisley.
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:22 am
by dromia
Funny how history is different.
The yanks gave up the Krags for the "superiority" of Mauser after Cuba and the Enfield proved superior to the Mauser in WW1.
I'd like to see the 10 shot stripper clips he was using.
I think it was more a test of the shooters than the rifles.
Why do they all shout in these US TV programs?
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:39 am
by Charlotte the flyer
I think that it was more a test of the men than the rifles. A marine versus a firearms expert who admitted that the explosions put him off.
Still, +1 for setup like this in the UK.
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:24 pm
by Dougan
Would love to see a course of fire like that at Bisley - Figure 11s would suffice though, rather than strawberry jam spewing manikins ( )
Both rifles are very accurate at that distance, so if the same person was using them it would come down to which could fire 20 shots the quickest, and as the SMLE has the higher capacity and faster loading; it would win...also with the SMLE, you could just put another pre-loaded mag in...
Is there such a thing as a 10 round stripper-clip for a SMLE...?
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:16 am
by Ares590
If you look at the uploader of the video he seems to have a chip on his shoulder against anything British....
I think it was a silly test as well, I would guess it has more to do with the individual's skill at close ranges like that rather than the type of rifle.
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:12 am
by dave_303
If I'm correct and this is from Ultimate Warrior, it's utter shiite. Watched ones episode comparing the Gurkhas to the French Foreign Legion.
Little period correct kit, claims that a MAS36 HAD to be loaded one round at a time.
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:30 pm
by meles meles
It was definitely a test of the shooter rather than the kit. We were intrigued by the statement that the Krag had to be reloaded one round at a time: it's simply ain't so. On a Krag - the Norsqueegian version at least, it's very easy to pop the magazine open, drop in 5 rounds and close the lid again. The guide and follower automagically align and feed the rounds correctly - faster than loading with a stipper clip !
Re: Krag versus SMLE
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:42 pm
by Charlotte the flyer
dave_303 wrote:Watched ones episode comparing the Gurkhas to the French Foreign Legion.
Ah, but you're forgetting, from the point of view of our American cousins, the Krag wins, because: 'Merica!
'Merica beats all Forigneers stuff. Fact*
*May not be a fact.
I like the Krag, I wish I could own one. I think they're beautiful rifles, but it's funny how the Krag lasted about a fortnight in US service compared to the Lee-Metford/Enfield system that lasted 70 odd years in British service.
Also, I agree, if this is from Ultimate Warrior ignore all "facts". I have no idea how these shows get made. The first episode I watched compared US Green Berets to Russian Spetsnaz.
The comparisons made were laughable. To test each unit's grenades they threw a US grenade into a mock-up house, and the Russian grenade they threw into a washing machine.
Upon what comparison formula are you working from here, gents?
Turned out, Spetsnaz won as they have a ballistic knife, and the US Berets have an entrenching tool.