WW2 British Rifle

[winetoad]

Looking to find a British rifle for my collection. Would like to know what should I consider.
Prefer something that is WW2 vintage. Are the Savage or Canadian ones OK?

[rambutan316]

I would stick with a wartime No 4 Mk 1 if you could only have one. Be sure to check the bores because many of them are pretty rough.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Looking to find a British rifle for my collection. Would like to know what should I consider.
Prefer something that is WW2 vintage. Are the Savage or Canadian ones OK?

Most of the British rifles from WWII are also the British Rifles from WWI. So, you're looking at either a SMLE, a P14 (which is a misnomer, actually), or it's American cousin, the P17.

The "quintessential" British battle rifle is (in my mind) the Enfield No1, Mk3. They are very old, and often date from the teens, and 20s. They are definitely one of those items that are so ugly, they're beautiful. Shooting them is fun! You have a 10 round, box magazine and you can find them in either 303 british, or Ishapore models in .308. Definitely one of the coolest British rifles, in my mind. There is a more modern counterpart in the No4, Mk1 & 2. They have a barrel that sticks out past the stock, and the action is similar but there are key differences, especially with the Mk2. The No4, Mk2 is hands down the "better" rifle but unless you plan on shooting it every day, any of them will provide you years of care-free shooting.

Now, to the P14, or 1914 enfield. The USA was actually building them for the British prior to our entry into the war. They are heavy, accurate, and have one of the strongest actions of any military rifle. They have an internal magazine that holds 6 rounds of 303 British. The American counterpart is chambered to .30-06, and is an amazing experience to shoot. I'm sad to say that I only own one of these, at the moment but if I ever have doubts about the Ammo I'm shooting, I run it through the P17.

If it were me, I'd opt for No1, Mk3 first...

...or, if you have deep pockets, you could build a semi-auto Bren. That would be the coolest option.

[emcon5]

A 1944 dated No5 Mk1

[winetoad]

School me on what Ishapore is. Is this a British rifle?

[CEDaytonaRydr]

A 1944 dated No5 Mk1

If you buy a 2nd British rifle, buy THAT ONE!!!

School me on what Ishapore is. Is this a British rifle?

Technically they're Indian but if you don't want to have to hunt for 303 British, it's a nice option. For all intensive purposes, they're a SMLE just like the No1, Mk3, or the No4, Mk1 but they shoot 7.62 NATO.

[emcon5]

School me on what Ishapore is. Is this a British rifle?

Depends.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishapore_Rifle_Factory

[mls343]

Ya, Jungle Carbines are a blast! Literally!

[pitfighter]

PM me - I have a Number 4 Lee Enfield with original canvas/brass sling and pig-sticker bayonet for sale - also, comes with nearly 200 rounds of WW2 dated ammo.



It has the "Wartime" - two piece non target sight and aluminum butt-plate.
CIA import mark.
(Some info. on the Lee Enfield below.)

http://www.chuckhawks.com/lee-enfield_last_rifle.htm

[DennisCA]

For your viewing pleasure, my No 4 Mk 1:

[emcon5]

Ya, Jungle Carbines are a blast! Literally!

Here is mine. I got it for a good price because the stock had been refinished.


At some point, I will strip that crap off and do an oil finish, but it hasn't bothered me enough to be a priority, at least not yet.

[smle-man]

Long Branch (Canadian) and Savage (U.S.) were the best of the WW2 #4 production. Of course that was 65+ years ago and a lot has happened to the rifles from then 'till now.

#1mkIII rifles are legitimate WW2 production rifles. They were made by BSA (UK), Lithgow (Australia) and Rifle Factory Ishapore (Imperial India).

[Father Ted]

Long Branch (Canadian) and Savage (U.S.) were the best of the WW2 #4 production. Of course that was 65+ years ago and a lot has happened to the rifles from then 'till now.

#1mkIII rifles are legitimate WW2 production rifles. They were made by BSA (UK), Lithgow (Australia) and Rifle Factory Ishapore (Imperial India).

This. Lee Enfields are my favorite rifle ever made. You should narrow down to a no 1 mk 3 or a no4 mk1 , stay away from Jungle Carbine for first rifle as you could easily by a fake and in my opinion you won't get the same feeling for a lee enfield by having a JC as first one. And longbranch and savage are the best #4 made. Also only the Ishy 2A is the only non 303. An Ishy pre independence is still a Brit and post independent is Brit rifle made in India.
In my opinion with no 1 mk 3's, they are all good. But beware, enfielditis happens instantly after first acquisition!
Cheers

[skeleman63]

I found a jungle carbine for sale but I think $479 is a little much....

[littlejake]

Dennis:

Isn't that a MKII? I think MKI's have a micrometer aperture sight; and the MKII's have the two aperture flip sight.

For your viewing pleasure, my No 4 Mk 1: