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I'm in the market for a 7.62, Lee Enfield target rifle but do not know whether to choose the L39A1 military target or the civilian counterpart, the Envoy. Can anyone please enlighten me as to the difference(s) between these rifles? I've had no luck on the web. Thanks.

IIRC - one's military issue, the other is not

The main difference will be mostly the shape of the rifle butt, the L39 will use a standard shaped No4 butt with a steel or brass butt plate, the Envoy will have a deeper shaped/figured pistol grip in the wood and possible raised cheek area, and rubber butt plate.

They're both No.4 actions, both fitted with 1/4' target rearsights. One will cost you more than the other. Apart from the butt, that's about it.

There are plenty of other L39/Envoy style target rifles out there by the likes of Fulton, Parker and the rest. They go for a lot less money than the L39s or Envoys but have the same barrels, no4 actions and No8 woodwork and the targets don't notice any difference.

Thanks, guys. Very helpful.

Hi Richard,

It sort of depends on how you are looking at it, as a pure shooter, or with an eye to originality, collectability and future value ?

From a pure shooter perspective, as Adam said, lots of choice, rebuilds etc out there and for a good price...

A genuine Enfield factory product will cost more...but will be worth more in the long run...

All great rifles though ! :cheers:

All of the 7.62mm Enfields are more or less a combination of the same set of military and Parker Hale components: two barrels, two forends, three butts. From these seven main components, you get all of the different factory models:



(top to bottom)

L42A1 - rebarrelled No4(T), cut down No4 forend and No4 butt

L39A1 - new built with cut down No4 forend and No4 butt

7.62mm CONV - from the same production run as L39A1s, but for non-military use. Cut down No4 forend with No8 butt

Envoy - Enfield commercial target rifle, fitted with No8 forend and No8 butt

Enforcer - Enfield commercial sniper rifle, fitted with PH Sile monte carlo butt and cut down No4 forend.


Briefly, the Envoy has much longer and fatter forend than the L39A1, and also a more comfortable No8 butt. The Envoys are slightly finer finished (being commercial sale items) and have french polished woodwork as opposed to the linseed oil finish of the other rifles. Usually Envoys are very blond in colour.

Envoys also had a lot more care taken in the fitting of the trigger, sear and cocking piece in order to satisfy target shooters (although the components themselves are identical to the other rifles). The L39A1 and 7.62mm CONV have a special modification (an addition trigger spring groove) to the magazine release catch that allows the trigger weight to be stepped down by a few pounds.

As mentioned above, these "factory" models now attract a considerable collectors' premium, and continue to appreciate in value.

However, there are also innumerable "gunsmith built" versions around that use identical components but - because they are not "factory rifles" - are these days worth little more than the eBay value of the PH sights and magazine (and often the complete rifle is worth less than those two items on eBay...).

Or you try and look for one of the more unusual 7.62nn conversions.

This a "Whitaker Special" made by Bert Whitaker, the majority of these were assembled in the gunroom of the South London RC behind Fultons. Bert made 117 of them (I have two!)

Strangely Brown wrote:

NICE

Now, about the "spare" one you mentioned....