What to look for in an old Enfield? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

dirtyvicar · 07-12-2006, 08:28 PM

I was picking up some scope rings at the local gun shop on Tuesday, and noticed an Enfield .303 on the rack for $275. I didn't fondle it or anything, but it's been haunting me ever since then.

I have a few old battle rifles on my must-have list, and an Enfield is one of them.

I don't know anything about evaluating an old rifle. How do I know that this is the real deal and not some sort of frankengun made out of assorted spare parts? How do I check it out to make sure it's in condition to actually use? I don't want a wall hanger, I want something I can actually shoot. Are there models to avoid? Can you still get parts for these things? Should I pass and get my Garand first?

Teach me!

danp · 07-13-2006, 10:44 AM

Big thing to look for is matching serial numbers. The SN was stamped on a lot of parts, just start looking. Also check the bore. WWII vintage ammo is corrosive, so make sure the bore is in good condition.

Other than those two things, look at the over-all appearance. Does it "look nice." and is the wood in decent shape.

There are Enfield collectors our there, check some of their websites. For a standard infantry type rifle, buying blind is not a big deal. For one of the more rare variants, you are going to want to be edumacated before you buy.

Verm · 07-13-2006, 08:24 PM

How does an Enfield in 7.62x39 sound?

How about an Enfield in 45acp...Suppressed?

A gunsmith here locally makes both.

www.specialinterestarms.com
the 45 is interesting to say the least

dirtyvicar · 07-13-2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verm

How does an Enfield in 7.62x39 sound?

How about an Enfield in 45acp...Suppressed?

A gunsmith here locally makes both.

www.specialinterestarms.com
the 45 is interesting to say the least

Woah. Just woah.

There's just no limit to what people will do!

**beardman2** · 07-13-2006, 10:10 PM

that seems pricey. Depending on what it was. I just picked up a Savage Made "US PROPERTY" marked No 1 Mark 4 * from Big 5 for $160 that came with the bayonet.

check out surplusrifle.com as well. Especially the forums.

dirtyvicar · 07-14-2006, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardman2

that seems pricey. Depending on what it was. I just picked up a Savage Made "US PROPERTY" marked No 1 Mark 4 * from Big 5 for $160 that came with the bayonet.

check out surplusrifle.com as well. Especially the forums.

Thanks for the link.

Yeah, I'm not entirely sure about this shop. They have a big sign that says 'no haggling', but their prices seem a bit high on used stuff. I've used their gunsmith a couple of times and bought a couple of accessory type items, but no firearms yet because of the price thing. I will probably go back and check it out in a little more detail before I make a decision.

Brickboy240 · 07-14-2006, 08:43 AM

I have several Enfields, from a WWI 1916 British made MkIII to a 1944 Canadian No4, Mk1* and a post WWII British 1954 No4, mk2. My expereince has shown me that if you buy a nice one, they can keep up with ANY 98k Mauser or 03 Springfield on the range. (...no kidding!)

The Enfield is a great shooter. It has little recoil and a fast operating bolt. The rear peep sight is ten times better than the dinky V-notch/post set-ups on most Mausers and Springfields. Only the Garand has better sights, as far as WWII surplus rifles go. I have done some very good shooting with the Enfield and have taken a few wild pigs with my Canadian No4. The 303 British is not as powerful as the 30-06...its more in the 30-40 Krag or 300 Savage power class. Plenty for deer or pigs out to maybe 250yds or so.

Yes, check for matching serial numbers. A mixmaster might be a good shooter, but thats a roll of the dice. Like every other military surplus rifle, condition is key with the Enfield, especially the bore.

275 dollars sounds high, unless the Enfield is a rare beast or has some sort of special markings. I have seen Irish contract and RAF marked Enfields go for 250-300 bucks, but an average condition Enfield should not be 275 bucks. I have also seen a few unfired post WWII British No4 Enfields go for 300+ dollars, but they were pristine.

Are they worth owning? Hell yes...I have three and would not bat an eye at adding another (I'd love a nice Australian MkIII someday). Better than the Garand? Well, they can be close in the accuracy dept and with stripper clips, you can charge the 10rd Enfield magazine very quickly, but the Garand is...well...the Garand...its "our" WWII rifle, so its always more special than everything else, but alot of people sell the Enfield short or poo-poo it completely, but other than my Swiss K-31 and Swede Mausers, my Enfields are every bit as accurate as the 98k and 03 Springfield that everyone puts on a pedestal. I personally like the No4 Enfield much better than the Mosin Nagant, but not as much as my Swedish Mausers or Swiss K-31.

I'd pass on the 275 dollar Enfield, unless you can find out if its a rare piece. Try to find a cheaper Enfield...maybe a Savage lend-lease No4 or a nice Canadian No4 - they are usually the best shooters. They can be had for around 150-175 if you look around. Look around on the web for Enfield info...its everywhere. Learn what to look for and know what you're looking at. Enfields were carried by many many countries and used like crazy. Theres scads of variants...learn to spot them and what you want before money changes hands.

Otherwise....yes...save on for the CMP Garand, as the CMP will run out of them eventually and any US military surplus rifle is always a good investment.

- Brickboy240

**beardman2** · 07-14-2006, 04:03 PM

you saw an irish contract? My wife is irish so she'd let me buy an irish contract no questions asked. If you see again let me know.

stickman483 · 07-15-2006, 01:30 AM

I agree with Brickboy, the Enfield is an excellent shooter. $275 is a pretty steep price, unless the gun is in better than average condition. My experience has been you can purchase decent Enfields from $130-160. Mine is dead on with 150 grain rounds, but struggles with the 180 grain bullets.

I check the action-judging how well it slides and locks up, the barrel for scarring or pitting, can the furniture be removed/replaced (rusted screws that prevent easy repairs or takedown), the condition of the magazine, and if the extractor is still in good condition.

Now if I could just get ahold of that 1903 sitting in the closet of my mentor...

07-12-2006, 08:28 PM	#1
dirtyvicar XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 449	What to look for in an old Enfield? I was picking up some scope rings at the local gun shop on Tuesday, and noticed an Enfield .303 on the rack for $275. I didn't fondle it or anything, but it's been haunting me ever since then. I have a few old battle rifles on my must-have list, and an Enfield is one of them. I don't know anything about evaluating an old rifle. How do I know that this is the real deal and not some sort of frankengun made out of assorted spare parts? How do I check it out to make sure it's in condition to actually use? I don't want a wall hanger, I want something I can actually shoot. Are there models to avoid? Can you still get parts for these things? Should I pass and get my Garand first? Teach me! __________________ Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. -Edmund Burke, statesman and writer (1729-1797)

07-13-2006, 10:44 AM	#2
danp XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 1,310	Big thing to look for is matching serial numbers. The SN was stamped on a lot of parts, just start looking. Also check the bore. WWII vintage ammo is corrosive, so make sure the bore is in good condition. Other than those two things, look at the over-all appearance. Does it "look nice." and is the wood in decent shape. There are Enfield collectors our there, check some of their websites. For a standard infantry type rifle, buying blind is not a big deal. For one of the more rare variants, you are going to want to be edumacated before you buy. __________________ God made cops so that firefighters could have heros too. "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Nietzche

07-13-2006, 08:24 PM	#3
Verm XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Carson City NV. Posts: 814	How does an Enfield in 7.62x39 sound? How about an Enfield in 45acp...Suppressed? A gunsmith here locally makes both. www.specialinterestarms.com the 45 is interesting to say the least __________________ Enough firepower, the will and the guts to use it all.

07-13-2006, 10:10 PM	#5
beardman2 XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,950	that seems pricey. Depending on what it was. I just picked up a Savage Made "US PROPERTY" marked No 1 Mark 4 * from Big 5 for $160 that came with the bayonet. check out surplusrifle.com as well. Especially the forums. __________________ - He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. ~Thomas Paine I will not be involved with the dreams of angry men. Founding Documents Freedom isn't free: http://www.anysoldier.com

07-14-2006, 08:43 AM	#7
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,189	I have several Enfields, from a WWI 1916 British made MkIII to a 1944 Canadian No4, Mk1* and a post WWII British 1954 No4, mk2. My expereince has shown me that if you buy a nice one, they can keep up with ANY 98k Mauser or 03 Springfield on the range. (...no kidding!) The Enfield is a great shooter. It has little recoil and a fast operating bolt. The rear peep sight is ten times better than the dinky V-notch/post set-ups on most Mausers and Springfields. Only the Garand has better sights, as far as WWII surplus rifles go. I have done some very good shooting with the Enfield and have taken a few wild pigs with my Canadian No4. The 303 British is not as powerful as the 30-06...its more in the 30-40 Krag or 300 Savage power class. Plenty for deer or pigs out to maybe 250yds or so. Yes, check for matching serial numbers. A mixmaster might be a good shooter, but thats a roll of the dice. Like every other military surplus rifle, condition is key with the Enfield, especially the bore. 275 dollars sounds high, unless the Enfield is a rare beast or has some sort of special markings. I have seen Irish contract and RAF marked Enfields go for 250-300 bucks, but an average condition Enfield should not be 275 bucks. I have also seen a few unfired post WWII British No4 Enfields go for 300+ dollars, but they were pristine. Are they worth owning? Hell yes...I have three and would not bat an eye at adding another (I'd love a nice Australian MkIII someday). Better than the Garand? Well, they can be close in the accuracy dept and with stripper clips, you can charge the 10rd Enfield magazine very quickly, but the Garand is...well...the Garand...its "our" WWII rifle, so its always more special than everything else, but alot of people sell the Enfield short or poo-poo it completely, but other than my Swiss K-31 and Swede Mausers, my Enfields are every bit as accurate as the 98k and 03 Springfield that everyone puts on a pedestal. I personally like the No4 Enfield much better than the Mosin Nagant, but not as much as my Swedish Mausers or Swiss K-31. I'd pass on the 275 dollar Enfield, unless you can find out if its a rare piece. Try to find a cheaper Enfield...maybe a Savage lend-lease No4 or a nice Canadian No4 - they are usually the best shooters. They can be had for around 150-175 if you look around. Look around on the web for Enfield info...its everywhere. Learn what to look for and know what you're looking at. Enfields were carried by many many countries and used like crazy. Theres scads of variants...learn to spot them and what you want before money changes hands. Otherwise....yes...save on for the CMP Garand, as the CMP will run out of them eventually and any US military surplus rifle is always a good investment. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

07-14-2006, 04:03 PM	#8
beardman2 XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,950	you saw an irish contract? My wife is irish so she'd let me buy an irish contract no questions asked. If you see again let me know. __________________ - He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. ~Thomas Paine I will not be involved with the dreams of angry men. Founding Documents Freedom isn't free: http://www.anysoldier.com

07-15-2006, 01:30 AM	#9
stickman483 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 647	I agree with Brickboy, the Enfield is an excellent shooter. $275 is a pretty steep price, unless the gun is in better than average condition. My experience has been you can purchase decent Enfields from $130-160. Mine is dead on with 150 grain rounds, but struggles with the 180 grain bullets. I check the action-judging how well it slides and locks up, the barrel for scarring or pitting, can the furniture be removed/replaced (rusted screws that prevent easy repairs or takedown), the condition of the magazine, and if the extractor is still in good condition. Now if I could just get ahold of that 1903 sitting in the closet of my mentor... __________________ "There is no certainty, only opportunity." "V" from "V for Vendetta" Duty Weapon: Para Ordnance 7.45 LDA Off Duty Weapon: XD-45 Compact Home Defense: XD .45 Tactical/TLR-1 and TFO's Last edited by stickman483; 07-15-2006 at 01:58 AM.

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