Canadian Enfields

[ssj]

A gun made after ww2 in Canada or UK would seem to be the best option for "well made" with good finish. Many UK no4 mk2s would seem to have been sold out of service but only ever stored (1952~1955). Being a hung trigger the no4 mk2s would tend to be the most accurate and have the best stock sights. From what I can read you should be able to pick up a good one in Canada for very reasonable money. Otherwise, yes a late LB gun, 1949 ~ 1950 is supposed to be also well made and finished.

Maybe consider why you want one. eg I won Enfields and Mosins, the enfields are far better made but still no where as accurate as say a modren savage or Tikka. But I use my guns for service shooting, I also shoot Palma/FTR. I love it all but banging my AJ Parker accurised no4 at up to 600m is the most fun....but I wouldnt hunt with it.

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[Kiverson]

From what I can read you should be able to pick up a good one in Canada for very reasonable money.

I live in Minnesota, US. While my state does border Canada, the area here is truly vast and expansive, and to drive to Canada to buy a rifle would take about 8-10 hours of driving. Or maybe you meant to have one shipped? I have no idea how importation of weapons to individuals in my country works, but it sounds like it'd be a complicated hassle...it may not actually be, but it seems like it would.

While I do love an accurate rifle, modern sporters like a Remington 700, Browning A-bolt, or Winchester M70, do nothing for me. They simply are not interesting to me to any degree, and seem so soul-less and generic..despite being hot performers. I'll take an old surplus rifle that shoots 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards/meters with open sights, than a new Weatherby that manages .75 MOA at the same distance. While I don't hunt anymore, I did enjoy taking my 98k and K31 into the woods with me, and my first ever deer fell to one shot from that old Yugoslavian-captured K98k..and I wouldn't want it any other way

I really appreciate the input, and it will go into my considerations for my first Enfield purchase.

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 PM ----------

Regards

That was an immensely interesting read, thanks!

[A square 10]

1) "...(Longbranch only made the latter.) ..." thats not quite right , they started off making no4 mkI rifles but quickly changed to the expedient mkI* as did savage in the US ,

2) the SMLE was the original designation of the no1 rifles pre-20s , the no4 rifle is an evolution of these but significantly changed to earn its own designation , closest thing you will find is a no1 mkV

3) IMHO the american made rifles are every bit as fine as the british made , and i own both , i will allow that the bolt release has proven a weak point over the years , but we are taking many years , the matching numbers is important as the commonwealth did not consider these bits interchangeable , they were mated for life

4) its worth doing research before "investing" in the future , know what you are looking at before you buy ,

the two in the middle are longbranch , the outside ones are FAZ in this photo .....





these are SMLEs .......

[5thBatt]

closest thing you will find is a no1 mkV

No such thing as a No1 MkV the MkV SMLE never received the No1 designation but i get the feeling you meant the No1 MkVI

[ssj]

I live in Minnesota, US. 8><----
That was an immensely interesting read, thanks!

My mistake.....so anyway.........LOL.....USA is probably cheaper if what Ive seen is any indication. If you really want a LB, OK, but if you want a good' un then there are good no4 mk2s about in the USA.

I know what you mean on modern guns, my newest is 1955, I think its the wood I like as much as anything. Enfields are now getting hard to come by here in NZ in good condition and target barrels are approaching $1000NZ so kind of reluctant to over use my ones. Lots of New Zealanders do however still hunt with them....still a good demand for them.

regards

[bow]

I have 5 Long Branch made from Wartime to 1950...they are great shooters. The best of all is my 1950 rifle. Fore end are generally well fitted and bore slugging reveals tight barrels, if they aren't worn. Bolts are well fitted and wood quality is high. Check your rifle and , definitely, you will no loose your money.

[cprher]

PM sent.

[Alexander A]

I think that as a general rule, the North American No. 4's (Long Branch and Savage) were better made than the wartime British production. After all, the North Americans weren't under constant threat of bombing, and perhaps could take a little more time.

[Kiverson]

After all, the North Americans weren't under constant threat of bombing, and perhaps could take a little more time.

Very good point!