New member and Enfield No. 4 Mk. 2 owner

[MikeVee]

Hi Everyone,
I am a new forum member and joined after reading the posts for many months as I decided what rifle to buy.
I choose to buy an Enfield MK. 4 No. 2 from 1955 with UF S/N 8XX6 which appears to be unissued.
What has attracted me to the rifle includes the aspect of collecting which many of you are passionate about.
I am no longer a hunter and since I live in a rather heavily populated section of the Eastern U.S. could not hunt most areas with my Enfield.
I have been interested in these rifles since I was a teenager because my friend’s Dad had one with which he hunted Whitetail deer in the N.Y.S. Catskill Mountains.
It seemed to me then, as now, the rifle was well designed and built. The .303 British cartridge similarly looked excellent with its tapered brass case.
I plan on shooting at the local range and participating in some military rifle matches for bolt action weapons.
What I have gained by this is manifold because:
Reading posts from individuals in other countries has reminded me of the freedom we have in the U.S. even here in Connecticut.
The ‘collecting’ aspect of rifles, ammunition and military items related to the Enfield is fascinating.
The armorers and veterans insight and documentation from members like Peter Laidler and many others very interesting. Many of you write very interesting posts.
I really look forward to reading all the posts, but I’m so glad I paid for a ‘like new’ rifle without all the dirt and grease.
I’ve also paid more for a case of high quality ‘factory’ ammunition because I don’t want any problems related to corrosion or erosion.
Connecticut residents have become a new ‘poster child’ for the NRA with our picture featured in the annual election issue last fall before elections.
I’ve had to purchase one of the new ‘long gun’ licenses after previously purchasing the ‘ammunition’ license which I knew would be insufficient.
These licensing regulations cost about $200 and time off work to stand in line at the State Police headquarters where our picture was taken and later used by the NRA.
Roughly captioned: These are law abiding citizen of Connecticut: This could happen to you.
Someday I may go to Louisiana and hire a guide to hunt a trophy Alligator with my rifle like the Cajuns on History Channel ‘Swamp People’
That show is so cool, it's hot ‘Get the gun!’ and Choot ‘em !
Mike

Information

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[CINDERS]

Nice looking rifle well in fact the Lee Enfields are sorta fugly/pretty and grow on you, you will never stop at just 1 believe me now you need a No 1 Mk III and that is how it goes anyway welcome to the game..............

[Brian Dick]

Welcome aboard MikeVee. Check your rifle thoroughly before you take it to the range. I already see the bands are on backwards and loose since the front handguard appears to be fouling the front sight base. I've seen many of these "cleaned" as new No.4Mk.2's and whoever cleaned it put it back together wrong. I'd carefully remove the forearm and make sure it still has a good coat of grease on all the underlying metal. People like to clean it off for some strange reason. The forend could probably use a dose of linseed oil too. I'd bet it hasn't been treated since the factory. Give it a little love, put it all back together properly, make sure the screws are tight and enjoy!

[Peter Laidler]

But before he does set about it, someone tell him how to remove the fore-end PROPERLY so that he doesn't knacker the drawers while he's removing it.

[rickv100]

Mike,

Welcome aboard. I shoot my No4mk2 in my local CMP match. I use Privi Partisan ammo and have added a GI style web sling.

Rick

[Seaspriter]

But before he does set about it, someone tell him how to remove the fore-end PROPERLY so that he doesn't knacker the drawers while he's removing it.

Before taking off the fore-end, sure to go to:
http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...0correctly.pdf
and
Milsurps Knowledge Library - Worn draws in your No1, 4 or 5 fore-end .... (by Peter Laidler)
These are Captain Laidler's Armourer's instructions. Follow them to the letter or you will be court-martialed and shot a dawn. (just kidding).
Best advice, Read all of Peter Laidler's series in the Knowledge Library.

The Mark2 is an excellent choice for your first purchase. Invariably you will soon catch "Enfielditis" and want to collect one of each of the wide variety from Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the US. You are just showing the early symptoms of a contagious condition (I won't call it a disease because these are good investments. For example, a No.5 Jungle Carbine that sold in 1960 for $25 now typically sells for $500.)

Good luck.

[MikeVee]

Please know that you helpful and informative members are a primary reason I selected my new rifle.

I'm glad I've not turned any screws or fired off any of the nice new Serb ammo.
Thanks for your inspections.

I've printed off the Canadian manual and will search find and study the references on my day off.

[Simon P]

Mike

Check your front hand guard it looks to have slipped forward and may be touching the front sight protector, which may give you accuracy problems.

Just loosen the barrel bands and it should slide back easily.