Which S.M.L.E to buy?

[rovin32]

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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[Gingercat]

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.

[Alan de Enfield]

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.

[Beerhunter]

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.

[muffett.2008]

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.

[bigduke6]

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

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.