wanted to shoot! Lee Enfield MkIII

[USMCNewdog]

Folks,

I have always been a fan of the Enfields, and I want a MKIII. I have seen them at the gun shows, but never know who to trust for one that is safe to fire. I have read alot about them on this forum and others before, and I know there are something like a drill rifle out there. I actually found a good looking one with the wire around the stock, but a passer by claimed it wasnt safe to fire. Is there was a way to tell?

Also what is the going price for a MKIII? I dont really need a perfect rifle, just something to say I have it and can fire it at pretty much close range for fun!

Well, I figured I would just put this out there, and see what everyone had to say or if there is a thread I should read! Thanks in advance! Mike

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

If you get one from BDL Ltd (click the link) you'll know its a good one and safe to shoot.
BDL are not the cheapest but you'll get value for money.

BDL LTD Rifles and Accessories

[Brian Dick]

I've got a few more to post on the website shortly. Some are restorations from my personal collection with NOS wood and will be honestly advertised. The commercials I have are nice as well. I sure can't replace them when they're gone.

[JBS]

To bad the passer by shot off his mouth. I have seen many wire wrapped grenade duty LEs that had mint bores with great wood and make first class restoration projects on the cheap. You have to look at each wire wrap case by case. The saying that they are wire wrapped because the bore is gone is false.

[smellie]

Very true. I had a wire-wrapped 1918 with a very minty bore and the thing shot like a house afire. One of the most accurate rifles I have owned.

There are all kinds of tricks and things to know about the Lee-Enfield series of rifles. The British started development on these back in 1879 and kept them as a work-in-progress for the next EIGHTY years. That's pretty hard to beat, just as a total of years. Add to that the fact that they had some of the best people in the world working on them, and you have something pretty impressive.

Get yourself a good rifle, then stick around this forum. You will learn a lot. I have been messing with these critters for the last 45 years and I still learn something new every time I come here. And a REALLY nice point is that nobody here will steer you wrong deliberately. The people here just CARE too much about their chosen subject to be bothered making things tough for someone else.

Welcome to the club!

[USMCNewdog]

I think I may have been mistaken, I had seen some rifles for like $200-250 but they may not have been mk3's? what should I expect to pay? I am more interested in a nice piece of history, thats shoots! How about ammo? anyone have a source for surplus ammo?