1945 British Lee Enfield

[Laura]

May I please preface this question with:

A) we are new at buying weapons, shooting weapons, owning weapons.

B) i know nothing about weapons

C) forgive me if I ask the most obvious questions

My boy and I (along with a couple of his friends) went to a gun show. One of his friends is very very knowledgeable in weapons.

There was a 1945 British Lee Enfield for sale at a very good price.
We bought it and no sooner walked 10 feet away and had 3 offers from others wanting to buy it....weird, but ok!

Got it home, took it apart, cleaned it.
The barrel was immaculate.
It fires dead on straight.
WOW is it loud (total girl comment)

Question:
Is there a scope you can put on this weapon, or is the sight that is already on the weapon, it?

Thanks so much!
Laura

[kawalekm]

Congratulations! You now have a rifle big enough for deer hunting. That means free meat on the table. Yes, there are scope mounts for it.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/22744-34.html

By the way, military surplus ammunition is always full metal jacket, which is not appropriate for hunting. If you are going hunting with it, make sure you buy some hunting grade soft-point ammunition.
Michael

[roadking]

I have several, both in .303 and .308. To my knowledge, it would require a gunsmith to mount a scope, unless you were fortunate enough to find an original scope setup. I recently (within the last year) read a nice write up in either Rifle or Guns and Ammo (will look for the article and post it) detailing the original scope system issued for the sniper rifle; as I recall, the setup (gun included) does for over $1000 due to their scarcity. I'm sure a good gunsmith would be able to scope it for you at a reasonable price.
Matt

[roadking]

Found it, and it is a beautiful setup...
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/The+Ultimate+Enfield?packedargs=recid%3D1198098376 868
Matt

[gunsmoke]

B-SQUARE NO GUNSMITH MOUNT FOR SMLE:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/b-square-smle-royal-ordance-mounts-smle-mk-1-4-5-rec-mount-blue-18564.html

[Theyeti]

I own a #1, MkIII SMLE, and as far as I know there is no OTC scope mount that I would trust. This Enfield incarnation is the standard infantry rifle of the Brits in WWI and was used in WWII along with the SMLE #4 MKI. The #4 is able to take a scope mount and I believe that there are some viable options for it OTC. Otherwise it will require some gunsmithing to create a mounting point for the scope. During WWII the #4 had a 'sniper' version and was a very successful rifle. As to finding Mil Spec scope mounts I don't have an answer to that...I'd imagine they are rare as hen's teeth and expensive.

So which do you have? A #1 or a #4?

[Laura]

So which do you have? A #1 or a #4?

I don't know? Please tell me how to tell the difference...
Thanks
Laura

[Oblio13]

I love Enfields. Currently have four. If you tell us what's written on the left side of the receiver, we can tell you which one you have, when it was made, and where.


A) we are new at buying weapons, shooting weapons, owning weapons.

B) i know nothing about weapons...

Professional instruction would be money well spent. The real thing, not from your son's friend.


Is there a scope you can put on this weapon, or is the sight that is already on the weapon, it?...

Aftermarket scope mounts tend to be an exercise in frustration. The rifle wasn't designed for them, the stock won't feel right, and they may destroy the historical value of what sounds like a nice example.

If you're firing old military ammunition, the bore will corrode within hours if boiling water isn't poured down it before conventional cleaning. There are salts that oils and solvents won't dissolve. (I learned this the hard way with my first Enfield when I was a kid.)



These are the universal rules of safe gun handling:

1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)

3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for most inadvertent discharges. (Your son will remember this: "Keep your booger-hook off the bang-button.")

4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. A tiny lawyer is attached to every projectile that you launch.

[Laura]

No 4 MK2 (F)
11/49 PF 5718

308 British United Kingdom
Tac Alex ____


I can't make out what the ____ says. It looks like UA, but not sure
All of that information is to the left of the top information..

Tell me where I would go for "professional" instruction?
I don't want to get mislead. And I want my boy to be well versed.

These are the universal rules of safe gun handling:

1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)

3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for most inadvertent discharges. (Your son will remember this: "Keep your booger-hook off the bang-button.")

4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. A tiny lawyer is attached to every projectile that you launch.

Awesome advice.
Thank you so much!!
laura

[Oblio13]

No 4 MK2 (F)
11/49 PF 5718...

You have the latest and most refined model, the Number 4 Mark 2, manufactured in November 1949 at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Fazakerley, near Liverpool, England. It's probably in great shape because it didn't go through WWII and wasn't rushed through production using wartime shortcuts. It may have a blonde beech stock.



It probably says ".303" rather than "308", that's the caliber.

I have no idea what "Tac Alex" is, perhaps an "import mark" from the company that brought it to the US. A pic might help.

[QUOTE=Laura;180324]
Tell me where I would go for "professional" instruction?
I don't want to get mislead. And I want my boy to be well versed...

Good for you. Use Google to find out who's teaching a hunter safety course near you, then call and ask them for a recommendation. It's so important to get kids off to a good, safe start. Unfortunately, the gun culture tends to attract lots of folks who don't know as much as they think they do, and the results can be tragic.

[gunsmoke]

http://www.combathunting.com/ENFIELD_RIFLE-ENFIELD_RIFLE_SCOPE_MOUNT_FITS_303_No4_Mk1_2_5.htm l

Yet ANOTHER NO-GUNSMOTHING scope mount for the No. 4.

If you don't mind using a long eye rleif scope "SCOUT RIFLE" style there is also a no gunsmithing mount that replaces the rear sight.

If You prefer a finer iron sight MOJO makles a Ghost Ring micrometer adhustible rear sight.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=213659

Here is an article on the MOJO sight.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/mojom44/index.asp

Here is an article describing your No. 4 and the markings on it.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/no4/index.asp


The Enfield is a good rifle, I hope you enjoy it.
Good luck

[gunsmoke]

Almost forgot

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=813766

very very high quality reasonably priced hunting/self-defense type ammunition for your enfield, also

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=126325

[Laura]

Gentlemen,
Thank you so much!!
Laura

[Pathfinder]

Congrats on getting one of the most accurate bolt action military rifles ever built.

If you have any questions , dont be afraid to ask.

[Pitdog]

I work with a British firearms Engineer, I'll ask him about the markings, not as well versed in the SMLE as he is, he collects them with his Webley revolvers. I'll get back to you asap Laura, and we'll pin down on exactly what you've got.

[Teg]

Take a look at this piece if your son gets interested in fixing up the rifle (if it needs it that is). :)

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu81.htm