Short 303

[Sandgroper]

I was doing some research on the 303/25 when I found this picture thought I might be of some interest.

Apparently, it's an Indian Policeman in Kashmir returning fire on protesters. Speculation on the forum where I found it, was it's been modified to fire less lethal ammunition or similar.

As it's cocked I'm not sure about the less lethal opinion, unless it's 410 riot ammunition (rubber solids). However, the Ishapore 410 riot shot guns were single shots, yet this has a magazine fitted. From experiance 410 ammo doen't feed well from a normal magazine - if at all. It also has, what looks like, simple sights fitted.

It's possibly his first weapon as he also carrying, slung, some version of the AK if things get nasty.

All in all a bit of a mystery.

[Dave 101]

Is that a moderated barrel ?

Dave

[Sandgroper]

If it is how effective would it be - unless it's a cut down 22lr trainer? :-P

[Tower75]

How... odd.

That would kick like a cart horse if actual .303 ball was shot through it. This leads me to ask, if they are using standard ball ammo, why shorten the barrel so much? You're not going to get any tactical or accuracy benefits from it. The No1 and No4 rifles aren't exatly long - plus they're accurate as you like.

Purhaps he's shooting some of that buck-shot .303, and the barrel shortening is for really-really close "go away protester, or I buck you" work.

Also - question for the Enfield Knowers - I can't really see from the pic, but it looks like the stock has been cut back past the screw mounting on the underside of the stock on the fore-grip, if so, there aint much keeping that fore-grip on the body.

[Sandgroper]

How... odd.

That would kick like a cart horse if actual .303 ball was shot through it. This leads me to ask, if they are using standard ball ammo, why shorten the barrel so much? You're not going to get any tactical or accuracy benefits from it. The No1 and No4 rifles aren't exatly long - plus they're accurate as you like.

Purhaps he's shooting some of that buck-shot .303, and the barrel shortening is for really-really close "go away protester, or I buck you" work.

Also - question for the Enfield Knowers - I can't really see from the pic, but it looks like the stock has been cut back past the screw mounting on the underside of the stock on the fore-grip, if so, there aint much keeping that fore-grip on the body.

There's a stock bolt just in front of the magazine, that holds the trigger/magazine group(?) in place.

[dave_303]

Though this won't help identify this gun it's an interesting point,
The Russians during the Civil War used to cut Nagants down in to essentially pistol size,
and we cut Enfields down into a grenade launching device for tear gas

[Tower75]

There's a stock bolt just in front of the magazine, that holds the trigger/magazine group(?) in place.

What an idiot :cool2: I completely forgot about that bolt. For some reason my mind was telling me that the barrel screw, further up the barrel was the only bolt.

'Cos I'm a numpty.

[Sandgroper]

Though this won't help identify this gun it's an interesting point,
The Russians during the Civil War used to cut Nagants down in to essentially pistol size,
and we cut Enfields down into a grenade launching device for tear gas

That reminded me, in Ian Skennerton's book, The British Service Lee 1880-1980 it has a picture of a South African Police "take down" Mk V SMLE

14 inch Barrel,
33 inch OAL
21 inch take down length.

It has a passing resemblance to the picture I posted. It doesn't say what sort ammunition it fired, but I'm trying to imagine the flame it would emit, if you fired standard ball amunition! :shock:

From the same book the Indian army also had a short range practice round.

"It consists of the .303-inch capped case, charged with 12 grains of Schultz gunpowder, a miniature bullet composed of 75 parts lead and 25parts tin, weighing 96 grains, and a plug of cotton wool separating the bullet from the charge."

Could it be a modern version of this he is firing?



Tower.75,
I know exactly what you mean! :lol:

[dromia]

Looks like a still from Star Wars.

[Rearlugs]

IIRC its a single-shot baton rifle, firing a .410 musket round with a rubber/plastic head. Its also used as a gas grenade projector, hence the sleeve on the barrel.