Collecting Tips for Lee-Enfields (No. 1 Mk. III/*s, No. 4s, No. 5s)

[bigduke6]

As your in the land of the free and want to shoot, then the worlds your oyster, there are plenty of examples that show up on here what folk have purchased, even Sniper variations are still or seemed a very good deal on that side of the pond.

Myself I love the .22 trainers, also have a few Sniper variants, but the .22's get the most use, my days of lying on a soaked firing point, wet, frozen to the bone are long over unless its a TA weekend.

You should be able to find good examples of a SMLE and a No4 for range work. The No5 ( junge carbine) wasn't really made for range work so I'd avoid one unless you do start collecting.

As mentioned a pull through and a bore gauge are very handy when examining a rifle, wouldn't worry about the gauge to be honest, use a .303 round or just the bullet, and pop it in the top of the bore if it sinks to the case then its a scrap, (there should be something on this site showing how far a round should protrude from the barrel, also check the crown whilst doing this look down both ends of the barrel, look for crisp clean rifling (sharp edges) if there rounded and over shiny then a good sign it may be on its last.

If the rifle is in excellent condition then you may find a dark bore , don't let this put you off as it may be a nearly new barrel or a rifle that has little use ( the most accurate rifles I've had were excellent condition, a P17 (M1917) in .3006 that had a very dark bore, but rifling was crisp and sharp, same with a No4 Mk1 that had been FTR'd, this had had a new barrel on during its FTR, dark bore again but so accurate.

An FTR No4 would be the choice for me for a shooter.

I wont go into the depths of the woodwork but check for loose, cracked etc or if it looks a lot newer to the rest of the rifle, there will be play in the barrel if you hold the rifle secure on the fore-end and the forward hand guard, on a No4.

Check the number on the bolt head too, on a No4 you should find it between 0-3, although not always a good indicator of wear, as it may of been honed to suit etc.

Just a few pointers above,.

I've always found the best deals are from dealers who mainly deal in Sporting rifles etc, they may get a trade in now and again will most likely want to move it on. If you do find something and not sure on, a few good quality pictures posted on here will get you an answer.