Enfield Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* scope mounts & stripper clip use questions

[Jersey Jubal]

My dad gifted his sporterized Enfield Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* .303 to my best friend, I want to purchase some goodies for him and have some questions. My buddy would like the option of attaching a scope (NO drilling) for long range shots but still be able to load using stripper clips.

I saw a bolt-on "side mount" scope base online a while ago (can't remember where & can't find them now), are they still available for the LB No.4 Mk I*'s ? If installed on the LB No. 4 Mk I*? Will it allow use of stripper clips if installing a "long" traditional -sized scope? Where can I purchase the mount?

Are there any "standard" scope mount packages that DON'T require drilling and allow for stripper clip use?

Are there "scout scope" mounts available for the Enfield Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* that do NOT require drilling and still permit use of stripper clips? Where can I find them?

As for scopes: Which would be better for fast "target acquisition", a short Red-Dot-style scope or the "long" traditional-style?

I know that there are hundreds of threads here on the scope mounts for Enfield Rifles but I haven't found any that address the exact requirements mentioned above. Some manufacturers have gone "out of business", others have "discontinued" items, and still a few have items on "backorder" with no date when they'll be "in stock" as result of the "run on guns" here in the USA after a few isolated but well publicized "incidents" of violence. Any assistance will be appreciated.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[tbonesmith]

I have never seen a scope mounted on a No4 that allowed the use of stripper clips. Even if there was such a thing it would be a serious compromise in terms of functionality. I think you should forget it and fit a standard No-gunsmithing bridge mount and get a spare mag if you really need that much fast follow up. Chances are you don't though.

[Surpmil]

The closest scope mount to what you want is the Cad-Technik, but even it does not allow the use of chargers without removing the scope. Collecting and Shooting the Surplus Rifle - Cad Technik Enfield No-Gunsmith Scope Mount

The old "Tip-Off" or "Swing-Away" mounts would allow the use of chargers, but you would have to drill and tap the rifle.

The no-drill/no-tap only option I see is to buy the Cad-Technik and shorten the upper mount to clear the charger guide. You will then be restricted to a very small scope such as the Hensoldt polymer bodied 3x from the G36. You'd have to make up or adapt a mount for it, but it is short enough to give you a functional telescopic sight and *probably* clear the charger bridge.

You can buy the scopes on ePay, but beware that most of them have some optical flaws, which is why they are on ePay in the first place: useable, but not perfect. Interesting little unit though.

[Jersey Jubal]

Thank you both for the information.

Still no info on a "forward mounted" scout scope, are they available or am I looking for something that doesn't exist?

[Maxwell Smart]

I think you might be looking for something which doesn't exist.

The scout type mounts for the No 1 rifles use the area of the barrel-mounted rear sight to fit the base; the No4 series does not have this facility (ie there is no gap in the hand guards to allow the fitting of the base) The No 1 mounts will not fit the No 4 due to the difference in OD of the barrels.

[Surpmil]

There is indeed a scout mount for the SMLE sold on ePay, using a Weaver rail and attaching with the backsight crosspin. In other words you must remove the backsight and base to fit it to the barrel. The may also be a base that would fit in the SMLE backsight base where the sight arm would normally fit. An 11mm rail would work well for that IMO. You might have to have something made up.

[A square 10]

BTW when addressing loading of an Enfield Rifle the correct nomenclature is "charger" , not really splitting hairs as much as respecting the traditional origins of the rifle , and just sayin ...

[RobD]

Rather than fitting a scope to the SMLE, why not a nice aperture target sight? No drilling/tapping, and can continue to use charger loading.
You would need to look for a Parker Hale model 5 or 5A, I think - see Service and TArget Rifle Sights ~ Parker-Hale and B.S.A.
They are not all that rare, and if you PM me I can suggest a UK dealer who may sell you one.
If you want to go down the scout scope route, the one you want is S & K Scope Mounts Home Page - rifle scope, scope mounts, Insta-Mount, SKulptured Mounts
However, looking at it, it isn't clear to me how that mount can be very stable with so much weight/inertia and only a little leaf spring and hinge to keep it in place...
I'd go for the target aprture sight every time. Also, more old-school...
Rob

[browningautorifle]

I'm sorta with Rob here. Even as my eyes dim, I know the PH 5C was a magic sight when mounted on my #4 rifle. Easy to use and superbly accurate.

[RobD]

Oops, I didn't read the original question carefully enough... my advice was for the No1 rifle (SMLE). For the No4, there is no scout scope option, as stated above - and the target sight would be the Parker Hale model 4, model 5C, and twin zero, I think. But I still prefer the idea of a target sight vs. a no-drilling mount.