Regarding military sniper rifles I realize the taxpayer buys them just they are retired from service I guess the services are none to concerned about re-couping any monies for them, it brings to mind the thousands of rounds of MkVII ball ammo the Army had dumped in a deep trench off Rottnest Island years ago never heard if any 303 rifles made the deep six trip with the ammo but would not surprise me.
I probably could not afford an M-40, M-82 or such anyway costs nothing look, I still have my P H rifle and it will do me.
I'm not sure of any other nation using the L42 Gil (thread 10, para 1).
The Enforcer - as issued - with that flimsy, mechanically unsound front mount was simply not rugged enough for service life in my opinion. Can you seriously imagine an Enforcer being trundled around in a 432/APC or container dropped? Nope, nor can I. Nor did Major George Shears the project officer. He deemed it suitable for the Police, but not the Military.
I would love an L42, my favourite Enfield to shoot, but I simply can't justify the outlay.
I have to make do with my poor mans 1903A4 build, she's an A3 rebuilt to A4 spec with a Lyman Alaskan scope (standing in for a Mk84), when I finally get the bedding right on the Keystone "C" stock, she should shoot very well.
Still, half the fun and satisfaction is in the journey of discovery (for us non armourers) in making these things shoot well. Sorry to trundle off topic guys..
I saw a "Police" lad in India last year with an L42 and was actually allowed to handle it, (I wish I'd noted the number) after I quizzed him as to why he had it and not the Army. He said the Army naturally devolved them to the Police. I also remarked on an earlier thread that they also had SLR's in abundance which did replace the Lee Enfield stocks, all still bearing UK Armourers snow pake numbers on the butts.
That brings me onto the matter in hand. Police scoped shooters will always be at best marksman in my book and Army scoped shooters Snipers no more no less I'm afraid.
Difference between a Mini and a Rolls Royce IMHO
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
L42's in India....... Quite staggering......... unbelieveable! They disposed of their No4T stocks and telescopes many years ago. And the almost scrap, stripped-for-spares condition of the telescopes and some of the rifles was eye watering. I rebuilt 70 from the remains. Quite how they would maintain the L1A1teles when from my limited experience, they were already well and truly worn out and spare parts were always 'dues-out' defeats me.
It seems to me that the further north and the further south you get, the relevant Police Commissioners have their own law with regards to weapons. It is a basic system they run there, and I suppose if a lad is exceptional with an old rifle they appear to let him run with it should have asked a few more questions.
Not sure what the below image is all about though, cricket helmets to boot, looks like riot control of sorts
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
How their Police, transport "Loaded" weapons to the provinces. Look for the British Marked (snowpaked) SLR's slung over the shoulders in the video.
This probably does them an injustice, but there are a bucket full of training issues with this short film, and reflects the state of things there. I'm afraid they would all be jailed if I was IC weapons party:
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Lots of long L1A1 bayonets on show but none with old leather type scabbards - so far as I could see. Plenty with butt numbers too but I didn't see anyone with an L42 though.
that was just a bit of footage to highlight how bad things are there, and far from consistant across the Indian Continent, as they await their new or latest rifle!!!.
I am trying to get the serial number of the one I saw and perhaps a photo of its current "user"so we can perhaps trace its lineage if thats the right word.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Somewhat lax in their safety drills thats for sure, all piled up with magazines! Are there any L1A1's in the video, all I can see are Ishapore 1A1's and a few SMG's (I am on my phone though).
Pretty sure SMLE's are still carried by the police out in the sticks, certainly were only a few years back.
PM
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