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Thread: Which S.M.L.E to buy?

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    Legacy Member rovin32's Avatar
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    Which S.M.L.E to buy?

    Hi Guys,
    I've always loved the S.M.L.E rifle and I think I might be interested in buying one. What manufacturer is regarded higher than the others in terms of fit and finish and accuracy or are all of them just as good as the others? Thanks.
    Rovin32
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member Gingercat's Avatar
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    Hi

    I expect you'll get a variety of answers to this one and it's down to personal preference and your own country of origin a lot of the time. Some of our friends down under swear by Lithgows for some unknown reason!

    Personally, out of my own 10 SMLEs, the best for quality, fit of wood and finish is probably my 1905 BSA rifle, with my 1914 Enfield a close 2nd. Later in WW1 the quality of wood dropped off and you can see the differences.

    Commercial rifles (BSA and LSA) are generally made to a high standard and not under the pressures of wartime production.

    You may wish to choose a more scarce manufacturer (e.g LSA Co.) or a WW1 'peddled rifle' (SSA or NRF marked), but they won't necessarily shoot any better or worse than any other IMHO.

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    Legacy Member Alan de Enfield's Avatar
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    DONT DO IT

    Or : - Its no real help but it will solve a lot of arguments.

    "Get one from each manufacturer"

    If you dont do it now you will when the Enfielditus gets really bad and the withdrawl symtoms kick in - the shakes, the sweats, the aggressive attitude will hurt those around you and thats only after a couple of months of not buying an Enfield.

    Be kind to your friends and family, get it out of the way in one hit.

    Then you can start on the rest of the Enfield family, No4's , No5's Long Lees, No7, No8, N9 etc etc.
    Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...

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    Deceased January 15th, 2016 Beerhunter's Avatar
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    As is so often the case - it depends. A "between the wars" BSA Commercial floats my boat - I'm a shooter. However they don't have the "history" of the others.

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    Contributing Member muffett.2008's Avatar
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    Well at least you got it right when you decided to come in on the class end of the scale, just make a start, they're all good.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gingercat View Post
    Commercial rifles (BSA and LSA) are generally made to a high standard and not under the pressures of wartime production.
    Quote Originally Posted by Beerhunter View Post
    As is so often the case - it depends. A "between the wars" BSA Commercial floats my boat - I'm a shooter. However they don't have the "history" of the others.
    Between the wars and commercial gets my vote, quality etc first class, one thing to remember regarding the commerial rifles, some were purchased by officers during WW1 so some do have some history.

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