A pair of Lee Enfield; SMLE, and No4Mk2 sporter (Whitworth)

[Patrick Chadwick]

louthepou, I hope the Enfield collectors aren't reading this, but in my experience, Enfields can sometimes shoot better in that state (which is basically similar to the Enforcers/Envoys etc). It avoids all that fretting about fore-end pressure, changes in the weather, phases of the moon etc.

In fact, I have an Enfield MkI NoV that shoots best with everything removed in front of the trigger guard (apart from the fore-end wood) - no handguard, nosecap, barrel bands, springs etc. But it just looks awful! So I reassembled it without the springs. And that was still better than with them.

I have a regular No. 8 that is a fine shooter. But about 6 weeks ago a dealer had a No. 8 that had been sporterized, like your No. 4. Sacrilege, of course, and I had intended to plunder it for parts. But I tried it out, and it is the most accurate shooter at 50 meters that I have ever had. 5 shots - one hole. As I thought that was a fluke, like a golfer's hole in one, I gave it to another club member to try. Once more - five shots - one hole. So it's a keeper.

I wanted to put it back in original condition, but a certain supplier of spares who is well known on the Enfield forum has not yet managed to reply to my inquiry, four weeks after 2 telephone calls and an e-mailed list.

So give the sporter a proper trial - it may surprise you!

Patrick

P.S. I scanned the target. Now I have to go and learn again how to post a picture!

Got it. Not bad for a 40 euro rifle?