7.62mm Rifle L8: The Last Gasp of the Service Lee Enfield

[@jacknelson8601]

In the beginning (about 60 years ago), I was confused about British rifle designations. After decades of using, collecting and shooting them I became even more confused. Now.......after becoming addicted to Forgotten Weapons and watching Ian turn up more, and more, and more variations......I AM REALLY CONFUSED!🌴🍀

[@AT-qw9cq]

I wish you many more healthy years of shooting good sir!

[@sisleymichael]

Amen. Just when I think I have it I do not! Love these rifles.

[@andersjjensen]

Lee Enfield rifles are like quantum mechanics. If you think you understand it... you don't!

[@MyTv-]

Happens when you think something is supposed to make sense! That’s a headache, been there, done that!

[@kevinlove4356]

Continuous improvement in action! After every major conflict using the Lee-Enfield, changes were made based upon lessons learned. That would be after the Boer War, WWI and WWII. In my opinion, the best bolt-action military rifle ever made is a 1950's era Long Branch Lee Enfield.

[@proCaylak]

it's funny how L8 sounds like "Late" in SMS lingo. quite fitting for that rifle.

[@jamesdalton2014]

Yes, it was truly the "late smelly" in both senses. It was pretty much the last version and, because of patent issues, it was pretty much dead as a service rifle by the time it became available. [Excepting the sniper version, of course.]

[@schrodingersgat4344]

Better L8 than never?

[@robviousobviously5757]

A L8 1 would be a proper designation

[@TheTerminatorCarrot]

Talk about forward thinking lol

[@LUR1FAX]

M8 dis rifle B l8, innit?

[@barrandilltanathlas1177]

Just when you thought there were no more official Lee Enfield models then they go and find another one.

[@dave_h_8742]

Another five ?

[@golibrodagolibroda2071]

I'm pretty sure people in 200 years will keep finding obsolete energy cell Lee Enfield conversions

[@noremorsewoodworking2258]

They still make new versions - these are, however, no longer adopted - poor orphans

[@kevinlove4356]

@@noremorsewoodworking2258 The No. 4 patents date to the early 1940's and have long since expired. This makes it cheap for manufacturers to make new ones for the civilian market. I can test from personal experience that the No. 4 in .303 is an excellent deer rifle.

[@Sweatedsiren895]

Maybe the Indian conversion come next

[@famalam943]

I like the idea of testing the yards to meters sights to see how true that was.

[@jansenart0]

Gonna need that one and a .303 and a nice long range with a spotter. I'd love to see it.

[@sheslikeheroin1661]

@@jansenart0 sounds like a job for henry and josh

[@Lucas12v]

You could get a pretty decent idea just with a ballistic calculator. I don't have time right now but i might try later.

[@mrb692]

A meter is 9% longer than a yard (39.39 inch vs 36 inch), and M80 Ball has 12% higher muzzle velocity (2800 FPS vs 2500 FPS), so really the new cartridge on the meter scale is only 3% faster than the old cartridge on the yard scale. All else being equal, that’s definitely within the realm of “close enough for government work”

[@TheRealRedRooster]

@@mrb692 Typical Yanks answer! LOL. One meter is 100cm, while a yard is 91.44cm ;-)

[@Chiller01]

Lee Enfields are numerous up here in Canada. The Longbranch factory was built in 1940 and built No. 4 rifles and Sten sub machine guns. It was located in a suburb of Tornto. I have a lovely 1945 No.4 Mark1*.

[@shoopusdawhoopus]

long branch gang represent I had a nice retired veteran re-finish and re-sight one for me, I'm convinced it's the pinnacle of wooden milsurp boltys

[@theknitby]

The 2014-2021 survival game The Long Dark actually takes note of this and has it so that Lee Enfields are the only rifles you can find in the game.

[@silverjohn6037]

@@theknitby What? No Cooeys in the game:)?

[@theknitby]

@@silverjohn6037 Sadly no shotguns, the only guns in the game are the S&W Model 27 and the Enfield

[@MordusdepleinairQuebec]

they are common but still sell for 1500$ a piece (non-sporter)

[@Shas879]

A bolt action service rifle in 1965. Yeah I'd say that's pretty L8

[@highhorseo7875]

Badum tsssss

[@tedhubertcrusio372]

*wheeze*

[@mrb692]

I did a back of the envelope math, and that “yard to meter” thing is relatively close. A meter is 9% longer than a yard (39.39 inch vs 36 inch), and M80 Ball has 12% higher muzzle velocity (2800 FPS vs 2500 FPS), so really the new cartridge on the meter scale is only 3% faster than the old cartridge on the yard scale. All else being equal, that’s definitely within the realm of “close enough for government work”

[@ironhead2008]

Yep, and reasonably speaking, your average soldier isn't gonna be shooting at targets over 800 meters out. That far out any hit is gonna be due to luck more than precisely accurized sights. The original RFI 2A rifle actually used old No. 1 Mk. 3 sight ladders as is. The 2A1 was the variant that introduced a new sight ladder that ended at 1000 meters. I'd be curious to know if the Indians actually "proved" the new ladder, though, or if they just copied the markings from the old one and stopped at 1000.

[@Rixoli]

And really, at that point? Good luck using them, consistently hitting at 800 meters with iron sights would be a challenge even for the more eagle eyed

[@kevinlove4356]

@@Rixoli I have hit and killed a deer at 900 metres.

[@14goldmedals]

Rixoli just so you know, go look up F-Class open sight competition. They shoot out to 900m or 1000 yds with a rifle and sling in the prone position. And they score right up there with the scoped rifles. It’s incredible.

[@mrb692]

@@14goldmedals There’s a reason F class is a bit of an esoteric shooting competition and not something done by every grunt with a rifle. Pretty sure the national matches and competitions at Bisley topped out at 600 yards. Ironhead2008 isn’t saying hits to 800 with irons is impossible but that it’s well above the maximum range anyone who would have been issued one of these would be expected to shoot to.

[@jacqueshickley]

Here in South Africa there was another iteration of the 7.62. It was used for Bisley. It's basically the same as the one you showed in this video but with some differences: 1. It has a massively thick barrel. Close to an inch at the end if I remember correctly. 2. It has a rear peep sight with very fine adjustment screws. 3. The front sight is a tube tipe and the actual sight is a small circular plate, either with a pin or a hole. The plate is fixed into the tube by a tube like screw. The one with the hole will align exactly with the hole of the rear peep sight. Thanks for the great video.

[@justindunlap1235]

those are the best target sights, I can't remember the name off hand but I love the set I have on my p17 american Enfield. I prefer the front sight insert with super fine crosshairs.

[@justindunlap1235]

I want to say they're referred to as a lyman globe front sight here in the US.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@justindunlap1235 was going to say that.

[@beetooex]

That sounds like an unusually thick barrel? Was there a reason for this? Surely not for overheating?

[@curiousentertainment3008]

@@beetooex I think they’ve misremembered the thickness if not that’s one heavy fucking rifle.

[@edbecka233]

5:00 - I was issued an M24 SWS. I developed a game load for it by using the same charge of powder with the 165 gr Sierra Game King. The load shot to the same numbers on the BDC if I just figured in yards instead of meters, so the reverse of the L8. I thought it was amusing, using yards for sporting purposes and meters for military use. At the time, the M118LR had not come out, and we were having major buyers' remorse with the M118. I made some loads with, again, the same charge and the 175 gr Match King, and with those, there were no more erratic corkscrew shots. I guess "they" heard what we were doing, and voila, we got the M118LR. Two does in one morning on a culling hunt, BTW.

[@wilsonj4705]

To confirm whether or not the sights actually do work if read in meters instead of yards sounds like a job for Henry over at 9-Hole Reviews

[@matthayward7889]

Great idea!

[@andersjjensen]

Everything that needs practical verification sounds like a job for Henry over at 9-Hole Reviews :P He is by far my favourite Chinese rooftop Korean! :P

[@14goldmedals]

Anders Juel Jensen for the LA riots he’d only need a 22LR bolt gun open sights and make call shots in bad guys ear canals lol.

[@jonathanjollimore4794]

Enfields are really really fun to shoot the bolt action is just 😗 fast and smooth

[@victuff9765]

When I was a range officer with the RAFVR(T) teaching cadets, the MoD changed the shooting points from Yards to Metres. So the 100 yard shooting point became the 100 metre point.... The distance never changed, just the sign😂🤣😂🤣

[@tonybuk70]

thats cool.. so HMAF

[@kevinlove4356]

Close enough for government work!

[@dp-sr1fd]

Sounds about right for the military.

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

:-D

[@philiprice7875]

so british "ah sod it, no-one will notice the difference and who gives a toss anyway, it is not like the soviets will sue us

[@simonwillis6902]

Have great memories of using the .303 back in the 70's as a young Cadet! As well as the rifle conversion, the Bren was also converted from .303 to 7.62 x 51mm was a dream to shoot!

[@stevepersighetti3400]

Likewise (at Purfleet ranges). Probably why I've now got a duff right shoulder! :-)

[@jamesbussey2911]

The 25m range at the sadly missed RAF Manston, and Milton long ranges near Gravesend Sea School (also a sadly-missed Merchant Navy training school) as a 402 (ATC) Sqn cadet in the early 1980s for me. We also shot the L1A1 SL Rifle at both shooting ranges as well. Being RAF issue SLRs, they still had undamaged wooden furniture, which no SLR had when I joined the Royal Engineers in 1984. The L85 series rifles are arguably more accurate and definitely easier to shoot and handle, but just haven't got the class of the older weapons. Ditto the L4A3 LMG compared to the light role GPMG, LSW and Minimi LMG.

[@mntmn4228]

This gun needs to go to 9 holes reviews to see if those sights are accurate! That would be neat if it were true.

[@oscarjosefsson9300]

The first thing I thought too!

[@ScottKenny1978]

Henry will enjoy the rifle.

[@ethanharding3141]

As an army cadet in the UK in the late 00s, I learned to shoot with a 22. Lee Enfield and it was great fun! Seems like there's always another Lee Enfield variant to discover

[@robertlinke2666]

with the amount of video's that Jonathan has done on the Lee enfield and it's predecesors, and now this video, i feel like i know more about this rifle then i do about my airsoft guns

[@jackchan3235]

Shame they never made a good one for skirmish

[@howardchambers9679]

Jonathan?

[@robertlinke2666]

@@howardchambers9679 Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal arms museum. he does an series on gamespot and on the museum's channel itself. he is really good.

[@Stoicswimfish]

To be fair, lot more history with these than airsoft as a whole.

[@robertlinke2666]

@@Stoicswimfish ok, thats fair

[@Chlorate299]

If I recall, a lot of the 7.62 Lee Enfields that ended up on the civvy market were either Sterling conversions or gunsmith-made copies thereof. The L39/L42 was a lot more popular in the civilian target shooting market.

[@conkerman01]

Well done Ian on the pronunciation of Fazakerley.

[@joshuafalken3312]

The font on the book on the lower shelf is so memorable "small arms of the world". I'm sure my dad had the same book on his shelf when I was growing up in the 1980's

[@jamesbussey2911]

If that's the JHB Smith book you're writing about, I've still got my copy of the early 1980s 12th edition: more practical information in it than the otherwise brilliant Jane's book. Plus the first couple of editions of the excellent companion books 'Small Arms Today', detailling which weapons every country in the world's military used in the '80s.

[@bb5242]

I had some of those books, Ian Hogg, I think? Still around here someplace. I memorized that book as a kid, but I'm a total weirdo, I guess.

[@aaronskuse2207]

Had a chance a few months ago to purchase an Ishapore 2a1, but by the time I was ready, it was sold out and delisted. I’m still heartbroken because it’s literally the last piece needed for my collection. 😢

[@pastfinderfrank]

As an owner of an Ishapore 2A in 7.62 NATO I am intrigued by this Enfield iteration. Oh I want those rear sights....

[@crabmansteve6844]

I read this as "Enfield LS" initially and was very confused, but people LS swap everything these days.

[@gooondie]

I had no idea this even existed… god bless you Ian

[@turbogerbil2935]

If you see an L8 up for sale, its 99% likely a fake. There are a number of genuine full Sterling conversions around (different ejector and magazine), but also a large number of 7.62mm No4s built up out of barrels made in Belgium, UK and Canada. Charnwood Ordnance specimens are by far the most common of the trade built rifles, and these are marked with a CO-xx-xxx format number. The accuracy issue is down to the fact that the 7.62mm round generates a different barrel vibration to that of a 303, and this doesn't always work well with the No4's standard end-damped bedding. The 7.62mm barrels tend to need a centre bedding point in order to achieve their latent accuracy.

[@buckshot4428]

I have always read and been told how the enfield was not a very strong action and yet it's apparent it was strong enough for the 7.62 round. I think the ones made in India used better steel. I watched a video recently of a no 4 rechambered in .300 Win mag. using lubed ctgs. and was amazed at how long the action held.

[@jic1]

It's less strong than a Mauser action, but it's much stronger than it needed to be to safely fire .303 British. I've never heard of a properly-maintained Lee Enfield blowing up with in-spec .303 or .308 ammunition.

[@jic1]

@@k3D4rsi554maq What the hell are you doing?

[@dave_h_8742]

14 Tonnes is strong enough someone was bull shitting you. Bar room expert !

[@turbogerbil2935]

Internet myth. The Enfield action is very strong. When used with a rimmed round it was proven in testing to be far stronger than contemporary Mauser actions using rimless rounds (due to the issue of case head support). The official publication Textbook of Small Arms records that the No1 action could withstand sustained 30 ton proofs. The Indian steel tale appears to be a garbled interpretation of the fact that they started using a different engineering naming convention for what was actually the same grade of steel. Indian 2A and 2A1 rifles share the same receiver and bolt components as the No1s they were also making at the same time (you can even see the identical machining marks on both types of receiver), and the first 2A rifles often had bolts and receivers that were clearly reused from older 303 rifles.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@turbogerbil2935 thank you for clarifying

[@mtkoslowski]

I would like to own such a rifle. I like .303 British, but nowadays 7.62 x 51 is more practical in terms of ammo availability.

[@Ceadda1220]

Ishapore Enfield rifles are available, I have one and it's a decent shooter...

[@bb5242]

The surplus .303 was just blasting ammo, none of it could hold to much accuracy. Unlike the Swiss 7.5 ammo that was incredible in those K31s.

[@victuff9765]

Parker Hale made a nice and inexpensive 7.62mm target rifle based on the No.4 called the T4, we sold around 40 of them to civilians in 1988 when self loading rifles were banned in the UK

[@haroldshull6848]

The Ishapore Enfield, as I understand it, was the last iteration of the original #1 Mk3 chambered for the 7.62x51. They did see fit to change the metalurgy and dimensions for the Nato round, thankfully as I have 2 of them. One is all original and the other has a synthetic stock from an add in Shotgun News. That's a while back, isn't it. Both are sweet shooters. Keep up the good work, and thanks.

[@virgilio6349]

There is a spreadsheet out there with the entire Enfield designations and their significance. It's a very long sheet.

[@zeta7651ita]

Love and support from Italy, love your videos because they are so High quality and full of amazing interesting content!

[@peterjenks5451]

This series has brought back many memories! Back in the 1960s I was a member of the UK Air Training Corps and we had a number of rifles that had started out as SMLEs. First there were 4 that had been sleeved down to 0.22 and had the magazine disabled so they became a simple shot bolt action rifle. I suspect they were originally Mk5s.. because they were shorter than the "DP" SMLEs we used. The ballance was poor, because the barrel was so heavy but could be very accurate. Then there were 10 or 12 drill rifles: the DP, or Drill Purpose rifle had the firing pin cut short and the bolt welded to make it impossible to change the bolt and there was a plug in the barrel. They had brass but plates and the later bolt removal system. We used them to learn and practice rifle drill. They were heavy...anyone who has mastered the sequence "Resting on Arms, Reversed will understand.

[@kevinturner6621]

This used to be my competition rifle when I was a young teenage cadet in the UK. Maybe we had the sniper variants as I successfully won many events in the SE of the UK and at Bisley. Rules are too strict to worry about shooting anymore in the UK.

[@njones420]

yeah, I used to be up at Bisley every sunday as a kid...miss those days.

[@scroggins100]

I used to fire the L39 service target rifle at competitions when I served HM. At Bisley we had the 1000 yards competition and I can assure you the 7.62 is a flatter trajectory than the 303. But, for below 700 I would say the old leaf sight in yards was erm... OK ish! The L39 was the Parker hale sighted service target rifle version of the Sniper Rifle with floating barrel etc.

[@effynme]

Thank you Ian!

[@captbeardy]

As a British army cadet in the 1970s the full bore rifle we were routinely exposed to was the LE No4 mk2 in .303 although when we were on a base at the same time as the TA (the Reserves) we got to play with what we knew as the SLR in 7.62mm (the FAL). By the 70s the reserve were pretty much being equipped with the same as the regulars and so the cadet force got most of the remaining war surplus, a surprising amount of it ‘new old stock’ and there was still a reasonable amount of unused ammo that we happily tried to rid the world of. I think this is the first time I’ve heard of a 7.62 conversion of the Mk2.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

One of my High School Buddies had a SMLE I fired a few times. Nice action. Very smooth. .

[@rule3036]

Many 762 conversions were used for NRA target shooting, in 60s and 70s, 80s, with changes to sights.Most full bore target rifles these days in use are of more modern design / manufacture in the UK.

[@gordoncomstock2459]

I hired one of these No4 7.62NATO at Bisley in 1982 as I thought it would be the best rifle for 600+ yards. It blew up halfway through the Daily Telegraph shoot and fortunately a piece of the locking lug jammed in the trigger sear and saved me from a face full of bolt.

[@geoffyoung2821]

The yards to meters thing also came up with the Ishapore 2A and 2A1 rifles out of India in the 60s. The 2A used the original No.1 Mk3 rear sight and you just read it as meters instead of yards, and then a new rear sight was developed for the 7.62mm cartridge on the 2A1.

[@MervynPartin]

That was an interesting report on the 7.62mm conversion of the No.4 rifle. When I was target shooting in the late 70s/early 80s, the conventional "wisdom" in the rifle clubs at that time was that rear locking bolts gave better long range accuracy than forward locking bolts. This, according to the "wisdom" was due to the barrel vibrations. Have you heard this theory, Ian? I can't say that I noticed any real difference myself, but the No. 4 rifle was certainly comfortable and a pleasure to shoot- definitely my favourite at all ranges, 300 yards to 1000 yards. The rifle was a fairly basic conversion with a new barrel and Parker-Hale aperture sights. As most target shooting in the British NRA affiliated clubs was single shot, it retained the 303 Magazine and extractor. I did later have a 7.62mm extractor fitted and also obtained a 7.62mm magazine which fitted without any machining of the receiver needed, so I was rather surprised when you mentioned this. On the range for practice shooting, I did try the new mag and extractor and they worked perfectly. I really miss full bore target shooting, but I now bruise very easily. I had quite a mark on my shoulder after just a few shots with an AK47 at Orlando. Best wishes for Christmas/Holidays and looking forward to your channel in the New Year.

[@wes326]

Remington 788.

[@rags417]

8:19 "A thousand of them were sold to Sierra Leone of all places..."

[@nicholsliwilson]

We accepted the FAL as the L1a1, @Forgotten Weapons Ian, not the other way around.

[@culshie]

Thanks a lot now I have drooled all over my T shirt, beautiful condition B.T.W. Regular No. 4s in .303 were still in some use into the early seventies, they had to be prised out of the hands of the old sweats who did not trust these new fangled S.L.R.s that would not hold a consistent zero.

[@roelkomduur8073]

@Dan Didnot Mr Costello had a pretty good argument... Indeed, these men are fading away. Sadly.

[@liammeech3702]

Juggling .303 & .308 sounds like a logistical nightmare...

[@Loffstadt]

IIRC in British service the FN FAL was the L1A1 aka SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) as it was stopped at semi-auto unlike the FAL. There were stories of Paras taking fully automatic FALs off of Argentinians during the Falklands War. I believe Bloke has a lovely vid of an SLR in action on a range in Italy.

[@andrewfrancis3591]

Quite a lot of No4's were converted in small and home workshops, some with commercially available kits. They may well have become "fake's" at a later date with the aid of some etching.

[@bobthebike7538]

I can well believe them not changing the rear sight. Around 1981 At Bisley ranges, I was using one of them. Never having shot one before we were sent to the zeroing range (25m) and put 10 rounds through it. Then off to the 1000m range for the competition. I thought I had done pretty well with 38 out of 40 using iron sights. Gutted. I was way down the field. a large proportion had got maximums, and the rest of the day was spent as a knockout to get down to the winner. If memory serves me well this was a great weapon to shoot as it always dropped straight back onto the target. It was also very good indoors with a .22 barrel. Thanks for bringing back even more memories.

[@bb5242]

It would have been expensive to manufacture new rear sights when all you had to do was remember that 100 is the point blank battle sight, 200 is basically flat, 300 is maybe 1-2 clicks off, and 600 or whatever is a few more than that. How often would troops using those rifles ever even shoot at ranges beyond say 200m?

[@waltervanvooren994]

The belgian army also used this rifle variant in 308 nato.

[@superwout]

While they should've stuck to the FN FAL...

[@roelkomduur8073]

@@superwout This predates the FAL....

[@superwout]

@@roelkomduur8073Yeah yeah yeah, I know all to well. Then they should have been more patient. Meh. This is Belgium. Not England. Only FN. Meh.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian .

[@walterblock8272]

It's always amazing to look at No4 rifles and compare the quality of manufacture and of fit & finish between post or pre war rifles like this one and wartime production rifles, particularly early war rifles.

[@cnb1971]

Beautiful family of weapons, with some fantastic engineering. Makes me proud to be British!

[@ILikeToLaughAtYou]

It’s weird seeing an Enfield with such beautiful bluing.

[@TheHylianBatman]

I'm glad that somebody tried to keep the guns useful. That's the sort of thing I would do. Big respect, even though the result wasn't much use to anyone.

[@kentr2424]

The Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA) also converted a number of No 4 Mk1 (and Mk1*) rifles to 7.62 NATO in the 50's (IIRC) for civilian target shooting - not intended for military issue. I don't know how many were converted from No 4's.

[@mrgunner5351]

Testing the sight calibration…sounds like a good crossover project with 9 Hole Reviews.

[@somersethuscarl2938]

I wonder if that date is not more significant for not producing more if these. 1960 was the last year for entry in to National Service for all British men, creating a pool of resverists. After 1961 the British armed services were fully professional, and there was no longer a need for these as a reserve rifle.

[@kevinlove4356]

"After 1961 the British armed services were fully professional..." Huh? There are Territorial Army (reserve) units to this very day.

[@minuteman4199]

@@kevinlove4356 They're volunteers, not conscripts.

[@kevinlove4356]

@@minuteman4199 True. But they are not professional soldiers. True story: I was a reservist once myself. And one fine day my platoon was on an Army bus to pick up some kit. When we debussed, we were met by a regular force corporal who was to be a guide to show us where to go. This individual was somewhat obnoxious, and at one point referred to the regular forces as "real soldiers." Since I was at the back of the platoon, I had no qualms about yelling back, "At least we can hold down a real job." Needless to say, this individual was furious. But the platoon commander finally intervened and politely said words along the lines of, "When we get to where we are going, I would like to have a private chat with you." That had a calming effect.

[@somersethuscarl2938]

@@kevinlove4356 Those serve at their own request, they are not required too. Under National Service every make was required to serve. In some cases those reserves (haven't been TA for years by the way)are better trained than members of other countries national services.

[@kevinlove4356]

@@somersethuscarl2938 That may all be true, but it is irrelevant. Reservists are not professional soldiers. For example, I am a professional accountant. I am also a member of the Canadian Forces Supplementary Reserve. I am not a professional soldier. Second example: My 14-year-old son is a member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. RCAC is a component of the Canadian Forces Reserves. But he is not a professional soldier.

[@Ravusaedes]

It was L8 to the party I guess...

[@skylongskylong1982]

I used to have a no4 converted From 303, to 7.62. So no stripper clip, but removal magazine. Hit metal plate at 500 meters, no problem.

[@ralphg1891]

Now this would be a cool rifle to have and add to my Enfield collection!

[@tacticalmanatee]

The Indian (Ishipore) 2A and 2A1 rifles are all factory-built as 7.62 rifles, not conversions, as far as I know. The receiver is different (slightly altered design as well as different steel used) though much of the rest of the gun re-uses No.1 Mk.III furniture and parts. They are not really a conversion but rather a new gun based on the Enfield and designed around most of the same parts, which is interesting in it's own right. The meters to yards thing with the sights is also the case with the 2A rifles, which kept the same old No.1 Mk.III rear sight. Not sure how accurate it is but it seems likely that it is close enough for a rear-line rifle. The 2A1 rifle has a new rear sight.

[@Destroyer_V0]

A rifle I would be quite happy to own, given the relative lack of .303 these days.

[@DarkestVampire92]

I cant believe that even in the very end, they didnt bother to make the magazine easily removeable. It feels like such an obvious choice to do, especially with the future FAL coming along and possibly making it compatible with that magazine...

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

Stripper-clips were used instead. The stripper-clips were used to load the magazine, which is arguably faster than changing the magazine.

[@DarkestVampire92]

@@libraeotequever3pointoh95 I know it was used with stripper clips, but that has its downsides especially when your fingers arent dexterous such as in cold weather or under stress. Theres a lot of downsides to clip feeding, unless its the en-bloc clip.

[@brandonalsop1281]

I'm guessing the change from yards to meters on the site leaf was deamed "good enough" for something that was basically always going to be a reserve rifle

[@aaronleverton4221]

Yards to metres certainly sounds plausible. A cricket pitch in Australia is 20 metres long. A cricket pitch in the UK is exactly the same length at 22 yards (one chain). So, if a bullet travels flatter, then simply adjusting your aim to the new unit of length should be of some assistance.

[@davidgillon2762]

20m = 20,000mm, 22 yards = 22x3x12 = 792 inches = 792x25.4mm = 20,116.8mm So not exactly, but less than half an inch is close enough for cricket work.

[@no-legjohnny3691]

Man, talk about a series of bolt-actions that stubbornly refused to become 100% obsolete. First the Long Lee during WW1, then the No.1Mk3* during WW2, then the 7.62 NATO conversions of the No.1Mk3* and No.4Mk1 during the cold war, and the special sniper variant that would remain in service until it was replaced by the Arctic Warfare series. Even then, many variations are still used by many smaller services here and there.

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

To add to the sights point... The error inherent to battlefield range estimation using the mk.1 eyeball even at 200 or 300 m, is greater than the difference between 300 yds (274 m) and 300 m, so there was really no point changing the thing to make it any more accurate (unless it was a scoped sharpshooter's rifle). We're not talking about competition shooting here... A solder (or squad/section) would just estimate the range, set their sights & take a shot and then try to observe & adjust either sights or point of aim based and simply just fire several shots and eventually someone's going to get lucky.

[@petergaskin1811]

Look at the "Bloke on the Range" video about the theory behind the K31 rear sight. The B4(?) target used for the Swiss Eidgenössische Feldschiessen represents an enemy lying prone at 300m.

[@edbecka233]

Manual: Position, steady hold, sight alignment, breathing, squeeze, follow-through! Troops: Accuracy through volume!

[@madeyoulook6392]

Love Lee Enfield's, gorgeous rifle 👍

[@parsakamali4957]

Gorgeous rifle, holds 10 rounds, and is highly dysfunctional

[@Tadicuslegion78]

"Why does the New Zealand Forestry service need rifles?" "Nazgul on fell beast, Minister"

[@MrPossumeyes]

Don't get the "Nazgul" reference, but in the '60's-ish NZ recognised the back country had a huge deer over-population problem. The NZFS was told to sort it out and set up a deer culling programme with govt-employed hunters. They had to hand in a number of deer tails each month. The programme faded away as commercial venison recovery, then live deer capture (for fledgling deer farms) arrived. Interesting bit of NZ's history.

[@davidgillon2762]

Either that, or Moa in the deep woods.

[@SVSky]

@@MrPossumeyes Nazgul, Lord of the Rings, which was filmed in New Zealand.

[@MrPossumeyes]

@@SVSky Aahhh, cheers man.👍

[@MrPossumeyes]

@@davidgillon2762 Good point. This rifle would be good for them and the extra rounds in the mag would give a safety margin during the rut.

[@13infbatt]

There was a company called Australian international arms that produced .308 lee Enfield a few years back.

[@polpterusdelhezi]

finally, i was waiting for this

[@Alcochaser]

Well I was hoping you would finally cover this thing.

[@versoarmamentcompany]

Nice overview

[@AnimeFan_2013]

0:16 - YES! Oh my god, finally a Lee Enfield I'm actually invested in wanting (aside from the riot single-shot .410 conversion)

[@gotsloco1810]

There is another single shot .410. The Slazenger conversion done at Lithgow in the post war era. I did find an image of one by searching for "410 Lithgow single shot bolt action"

[@AnimeFan_2013]

@@gotsloco1810 Saw some but they don't look as interesting as the No.1s with the full stock

[@briansmith3011]

Love it, but I have an affinity towards 7.62/.308 converted service rifles. My wish list gun to own and for you to cover is the FR-8 Spanish Mauser.

[@lairdcummings9092]

I also love the FR-8. Lovely weird conversion, confuses the hell out of folks at the range. I'll sometimes troll folks and tell them it's a rare bolt-action Garand.

[@bertmacdonald337]

Hi Ian, have you ever seen a late model sniper rifle variant, "sporterised" by Parker Hale and known to us as the "Chest Rifle" because it was stored in a wooden chest. Designated the L42A1.

[@MAgrippa76]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWpdouwr86fhck

[@bertmacdonald337]

@@MAgrippa76 Thank you so much! There once was a guy who was part of our commando forward recce element and designated the patrol sniper , they were out on an extended observation patrol . Due to lack of airlift capacity, they could not be reinforced and there were no fighter ground attack aircraft available to take out an extended patrol of the Buzo Tactico,. And so, this soon turned into a fighting patrol , he didn`t moan much, about taking a sniper rifle to a gunfight. ;) A very incomplete version of a much larger interview, can be found here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYeli4OnitJ4e9U

[@mansfielda149]

CR 60 GA is the UK MOD drawing number as issued by CDIA Royal Arsenal Woolwich. CR is the drawing prefix for rifles, GA means general assembly

[@mansfielda149]

60 just means it was drawing set 60 in that series.

[@Great_Dane]

I believe the Danish Sirius Patrol still use one of the earlier variants of the Lee Enfield for use on Greenland. It's mostly used for protection against wildlife and it's used because of the harsh conditions and reliability of the rifle.

[@jic1]

No they use M1917 Enfields, which are a Mauser action chambered in .30-06.

[@kevinlove4356]

When the 5.56 mm C7 rifle was introduced into service by the Canadian Forces, there was some talk of manufacturing a bolt-action version for the Cadet Corps. This would have used the Lee-Enfield action. But it never got beyond the stage of discussion. The same was true of using a .22 semi-automatic version. Instead, the Cadets were stuck with air rifles. In my opinion, it is just not the same if it does not go "bang!" Does this count as another gasp of the Lee-Enfield action?

[@Gunbloke1911]

I really hate to be "that guy", but the British Army adopted the FAL as the L1A1, not the L1A1 as the FAL. Sorry! Thanks for the best gun channel on the webs.

[@skylongskylong1982]

FAL, very different to British SLR. Parts not interchangeable, including magazines

[@jalpat2272]

@@skylongskylong1982 i don't know why they insist using imperial for Machining, well at least not that fubar process that gave birth m14.

[@Gunbloke1911]

Very different? An AR would be "very different". I think you mean very similar.

[@officiallycxrsxd5246]

its a dream of mine to go to a range with you Ian

[@theblindsniper9130]

The biggest weak point with 7.62 Enfield rifles is absolutely the magazines. Great rifles though. Good job as always, Ian.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

I was wondering about that. It seems tacking an ejector onto a sheet metal mag would result in a finite service life.

[@kevinlove4356]

Obviously a purely internal magazine will be stronger. But one can only have about 5 rounds for an internal magazine. And having a 10 round magazine provided an enormous advantage over our enemies in two world wars who only had a 5 round magazine.

[@theblindsniper9130]

@@kevinlove4356 Why cant an internal magazine have 10 rounds? Doesnt the SKS pull that off?

[@kevinlove4356]

@@theblindsniper9130 If an internal magazine had 10 rounds, then the thickness of the rifle would have to be the size of a 10 round magazine. Not practical. The SKS is fed by a detachable box magazine. Input "SKS Magazine" into your favourite search engine.

[@theblindsniper9130]

@@kevinlove4356 The SKS factory mag is not detachable. Ive reviewed several

[@zacharyrollick6169]

Saw one of these at a small gunshop last summer.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Ishapore No 1 Mk IIIs get short shrift from many collectors. I own a .303 2A and a .76.2mmx51 2A1 and I find them quite good quality rifles. True, the finish is a bit cruder that other SMLEs, but they operate as well as any of my other LEs and are good shooters. The 2A1 has a magazine that holds 12 rounds (no rims) and can be loaded with a standard charger. They are far and away my youngest LEs (r(the others range from 1918-1955) so they tend to get more range time. They would make a good video, Ian, as you could then make yet another video on the greatest bolt-action military rifle ever made. If you are ever in Lower Alabama get up with me and I will loan you my matched pair. We have a nice range nearby too....

[@frostedbutts4340]

I swear he's already done one on Ishapores? I wouldn't mind one but they seem to have gotten scarce / expensive here

[@jayfelsberg1931]

@@frostedbutts4340 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6HbZHdsZsSmiK8

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Also kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKDFg62FaceGiZo

[@ScottKenny1978]

Do like those sights.

[@Jesses001]

I just looked at the specs for the standard .303 vs the .308 nato of the time. At 280 yards the .303 is two inches below the .308. At longer distances the .308 drops off more steaply than .303, so at 500 yards, the .308 is 8 inches below the .303...so you know what, that is not too far off for such different calibers. I mean if you are trying to snipe with it sure that might as well be in a different time zone, but for a general service weapon, not far off at all.

[@turkishraf]

The sights correct in metres to around 1000 plus metres but you need to zero using the correct height foresight. Also all 7.62’s in the UK that I have seen are proofed to 20 tons, not 19.

[@lenny6281]

would be awesome to see a test comparing original sights to the sterling adjusted sights, to see if the claim is true!

[@johnallen7807]

That example looks in nice condition. Of course in the UK it is virtually impossible to own one or just about any firearm, indeed I read somewhere that our Olympics teams have to go overseas to practice!

[@kevinthorpe8561]

Had one of those as a marine cadet

[@0BAAC0]

I picked up what I think is a Charnworth Lee in 308 a few months back. The magazines... Ugh, the magazines. It's just easier to single feed the damn thing.

[@Axonteer]

That "Flop" at 8:20 :D

[@graypatriot1299]

thank you

[@abhishekjrp13]

Lee-Enfield rifles have been trending recently.

[@andrewcombe8907]

Say what you like about the Lee Enfields they were still in service in the Falklands as a sniper rifle and into the 21st century with Canadian Rangers.

[@matthayward7889]

Beautiful rifle too!

[@ArsonFire00]

A Yard is 3 feet, while a Metre is 3 feet 3 inches. So the sights would still work, up to @ 800 yards.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Adds up pretty quickly, to tell you the truth.

[@NielMalan]

Another sip from the bottomless cup of Lee variants.

[@marciebalme588]

My husband has a Enfield Envoy as a Target Rifle , its robust and accurate

[@sabretech2001]

The rear sight leaf that was shown has double marks for each range setting...the smaller hash that one sees above the main hash is the setting for meters.

[@zzxxooooxxzz4964]

Wow I have to say that this is a very kool way to get the ejector set in the new mags instead of the rifle...

[@bubblebeful]

Rifle No.9 Mk.I never forgetti