What next to get

[newcastle]

Ok a question for Enfield collectors of the middling variety. Warren, MJ, Brian etc look away now......
So here's the question. I have a small collection of Lee Enfields. I shoot as well as collect so whatever I get has to be in great mechanical condition with an excellent bore. I'm not stinking rich, in fact money is tight but I will try to save for the right rifle.

I have a couple of No.1s, a No.2 (.22LR), a rifle No.3 (P14) a few No.4s (Mk1, Mk1* Mk1/2 and Mk2 and a No.4 T), I have a No.5. I'm fairly confident that there's no chance of a No. 6 and the No.7 and No.8 are probably financially beyond me at present.

Where next? I've been buying some sporters I can refurbish but they don't add to the collection necessarily and cost more than they're worth by the time I have them back in Milconfig.

I want to keep in the .303 british area ideally and they have to be in shooting condition so they're accurate enough to be enjoyable to take to the range. Ideas?

Information

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[Thunderbox]

Go Ishapore: a nice wartime MkIII*, a wire-wrap, and a 2A or 2A1.

I also see that you're missing a few Long Lees:

[Gingercat]

Agree with Thunderbox, but perhaps cheaper than a Long Lee would be a 'target' version of the SMLE, or 'heavy' barrel version.

My last purchase was a 'Fultons Regulated' SMLE with Parker Hale 5A sight. Well worth having in the collection and another important part of the history of these rifles IMHO.

All the best with whatever you save for!

Mike

[Warren]

You never know what will waltz into your hands and at your price. I've picked up No.8's and No.9's along with trials rifles from $250.00 to $400.00 just by asking what they wanted for it and then trying not to get whiplash in the neck reaching for the wallet. I VERY seldom make offers as I learned a long time ago from an old friend never get into an auction sale with yourself. Ask what the owner wants and go from there. You may be pleasantly surprised and sometimes shocked.

[Amatikulu]

newcastle, I have always struggled to come up with a description of my ownership of Lee Enfield Rifles

It simply develops in the strangest way. I started out as a shooter but have developed into the eclectic Lee Enfield collector, who likes to shoot them.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, you'll know when the right rifle comes along - just increase your chances of finding it by searching the auctions and frequenting all the shows you can

[newcastle]

Love the suggestions. Especially the idea of the Long Lee's, though the finances would probably take a beating on those.

[Peter Laidler]

Might I make a suggestion Newcastle. It's not an Enfield but I am very sure that quite soon, it'll be put into the same hallowed stable as the Lee Enfield snipers and even if I say it myself, is a true, well and worthy successor to the L42 it replaced.

Go out and search for an Accuracy International L96 sniper rifle. They have just been declared obsolete by the UK Military and several UK Police forces (what on earth they wanted sniper rifles for is one of lifes great unanswered questions........) and are available at reasonable prices - for now. But they won't be available at these prices for long. Does that remind you of how No4T's and L42's were cheap and cheerful several years ago........... I don't want to come back in 5 years to say those immortal words '........I told you so'

Go out now and look for one. Don't forget that name........... Accuracy International L96A1 or the 'RIFLE, sniper, 7.62mm L96A1'. I've been out and given mine a good pasting all day and they shoot like a dream. Even those using the big, monster .338 L115 AI rifles all came wanting a shoot with the gentle giant...............

[Thunderbox]

Might I make a suggestion Newcastle. It's not an Enfield but I am very sure that quite soon, it'll be put into the same hallowed stable as the Lee Enfield snipers and even if I say it myself, is a true, well and worthy successor to the L42 it replaced.

Go out and search for an Accuracy International L96 sniper rifle. They have just been declared obsolete by the UK Military and several UK Police forces (what on earth they wanted sniper rifles for is one of lifes great unanswered questions........) and are available at reasonable prices - for now. But they won't be available at these prices for long. Does that remind you of how No4T's and L42's were cheap and cheerful several years ago........... I don't want to come back in 5 years to say those immortal words '........I told you so'

Go out now and look for one. Don't forget that name........... Accuracy International L96A1 or the 'RIFLE, sniper, 7.62mm L96A1'. I've been out and given mine a good pasting all day and they shoot like a dream. Even those using the big, monster .338 L115 AI rifles all came wanting a shoot with the gentle giant...............

Are any available in the UK?

[Peter Laidler]

Bedfordshire Police have just sold theirs.......... and a couple of others on here that I know of have them too. So they're out there

[jmoore]

Looking for a specific variant of Enfield is apt to be frustrating and/or expensive. As stated above, just be educated enough to know when the next keeper appears and act accordingly. I've bought No.4s just because they had a particular sight...!

Also, be prepared to pass up a very high percentage of the rifles you come across, due to one drama or another, including price.

But now Peter Laidler has to go and mention L96a1's...