English Kiwi Reviews: The S&T SMLE

[@eviltigeruk9754]

I was waiting for a good SMLE for years when it was announced I couldn't have been happier when it was delayed I waited and after all the waiting with extended delays due to global shipping issues with covid I got one as soon as I could and it was well worth the wait. It's my favourite airsoft rifle I own and has been so reliable on the field. So grateful to S&T for this spectacular piece !!!

[@Sir_Kuang]

Top quality production Ben. Im not even that interested in the smle but you managed to keep me hooked to watch the entire vid

[@EnglishKiwi]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for the feedback, I does help!

[@metal4ever88]

One of the best videos you have ever done mate. Loved the intro and even though I have no interest in owning one it was a genuinely interesting to watch from start to finish. 10/10 👍

[@Russki308]

This was an excellent review of a rifle that I was highly dubious about, but now having seen this, I may just end up getting one! Very in depth and informative, thank you!

[@nevercool3877]

That's one comically wobbly bayonet! Cool gun though and excellent review. I can tell you've put in a lot of effort into the editing and production of this video and your passion shines through. Keep up the good work 👌

[@RickyRavioli69]

Great video. I love how in depth it was. Very informative and entertaining. Great work.

[@jusportel]

The markings are actually spot on, for an SSA/NRF “peddled scheme” rifle, right down to the distinctive cypher only seen on that manufacturer.

[@WaldoDynamics]

Excellent review, really loved the intro and your experienced approach to it. Please do more! Subbed

[@EnglishKiwi]

Cheers bud! Really means alot 😃 that's the plan, though I need to figure out what to pick up next!

[@Howie900]

Excellent review, I have just bought one for re-enactment, really enjoyed this very well put together and presented.

[@BEAST283514]

Excellent review, bought one last week and cannot wait to use

[@blusoda0021]

Probably the best video I've seen covering any topic, ever, and, well it covers the best rifle of all time.

[@AirsoftReviewArgentina]

Very cool video. The history lesson is very well welcomed and despite being a bit long I quite enjoyed it. Respect from Argentina

[@azb9866]

I'm just glad that AT LAST we have a Smle... I so want one

[@mattarndt841]

I just ordered one and it arrives hopefully Friday. I already have a co2 webley and I'm very much looking forward to this especially now after watching your video.

[@RDPproject]

Subscription earned. This is one of ..if not THE best review of the Smelly ive seen. Well done mate. Aussie Rob (London)

[@oml81mm]

Smelly?

[@RDPproject]

@@oml81mm Yes...its the nickname for a Lee Enfield .303 SMLE. SMLE = Short Magazine Lee Enfield...or...SMLE = Smelly

[@oml81mm]

@@RDPproject OK, but it's not a nickname for it in the place where it originated and evolved.

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

I'm really tempted to get one of these as my third gun, thanks for this informative video!

[@mmckenzie1900]

Just found this review. Thank you for this video and for your help at the end of the video.

[@danielpitti6030]

The Lee -Enfield was a beautiful lethal model, and perhaps the fastest bolt actio l rifle, but also practical in trench warfare hand to hand combat, precisely for being short, used as a club

[@timmy3822]

Superb video mate. I’m brand new to airsoft and definitely lean towards the old WW1 & WW2 rifles. The dream would be the Ares SMLE No.4T, but damn it’s expensive! I might have to settle for a more reasonably priced Kar98k. Your history section was very informative. Adore your wobbly bayonet btw 😂. Very scary!

[@TaZ101SAGA]

Nice one Mr Skinner, 17:03 Generally I agree, but humorously.. I big to differ! I've been wrecking folks with it left right and centre since January, granted I've been used to the rifle for many years, but either way, been a right laugh. 17:28 This pissed me off as well so I made a spring loaded mag catch for it.

[@LibertyAndDarkness]

Fantastic review! you have earned a sub!

[@redn2994]

Incredible quality of content my dude. Not my kind of gnu but love your work

[@EnglishKiwi]

Thank you dude! Means alot :)

[@AirsoftTipsandReviews]

Great review! It shows, that you put a lot of work in it... and that you really love this rifle :) And it was very detailed

[@EnglishKiwi]

I certainly spent an unhealthy amount of time on this one! Think it involved 2 or 3 reshoots!

[@ranpan2541]

Great production

[@The6mmRifleman]

It was a surpise to see AP in the gameplay! Funnily enough I was wondering how well the SMLE would work here!

[@EnglishKiwi]

It was a wee bit challenging running it at 1j but having a 30m minimum engagement!

[@The6mmRifleman]

@@EnglishKiwi You still had a 30m engagement distance even with 1J? That's suprising

[@EnglishKiwi]

@@The6mmRifleman yep I was told any bolt action had to follow the sniper rule, even if under AEG limits.

[@EfftupSmith]

@@EnglishKiwi that sounds kind of insane to me. I;m pretty certain my local site never said anything about mimimum engagements the one time I have taken mine out so far

[@alexisleon23]

Great presentation! Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷.

[@samuelmiller7349]

I removed matirel from the hop up adjustment arm and what it screws on to the hop up unit to let it slide farther back then normal to add less hop because I had the same issue with over hopping.its not much it needs to slide back in order for it hop normally at least with my case

[@gunpointstudios7950]

Beautiful video! You just earned yourself a new subscriber. Just one question for you, what is that crazy jet barrel length?

[@TomWire]

Great review!

[@EnglishKiwi]

Cheers bud!

[@DCS_World_Japan]

I'm curious how much range you can squeeze out of this while staying under a more restrictive 0.98J limit like what we have here in Japan.

[@alexwest6469]

I absolutely love my SMLE, its a work of art. Kinda want to get the S&T Kar98k, Mr Kiwi, would you say its as high build quality or should i just get a shell ejecting one and make a wooden stock ?

[@EnglishKiwi]

I honestly don't know about the build quality as I've not handled their K98, however I will day if you want it for skirmishing I wouldn't go down the shell ejecting route!

[@alexwest6469]

@@EnglishKiwi my Lee is a wall piece through and through, i even managed to get an original sling and oil bottel for it, so purely for show. Im am considering picking up a decent l96, i have the asg but its not great

[@seamus459]

lovely review what spring and loading fin do you recommend also what length barrel

[@EnglishKiwi]

Stock loading fin is fine if you don't overload the mags :) spring wise, mine is now running a TM l96 style m130, combined with a 300m crazy jet barrel and a 60 degree Mr hop. It's how sending .36s out at 1.1J and consistently hitting player sized targets at 65m and harassing out to ~80m.

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

Great video Ben. How much do the ‘producers’ pay you for these?

[@EnglishKiwi]

I couldn't possibly comment! Though I've been eating tuna pasta bake for the past month!

[@olly31d13]

you can ,,if you can afford it ,the proper sniper sights , but i love mine the way it came outa the box ,,, yes the colour is a little to red,, went to B&Q and got some wood dye,, when it gets its proper strip down i might do the wood,, but at the mo it just puts a smle on my face ,,

[@EnglishKiwi]

Oh absolutely! I don't think I've had a more satisfying Airsoft rifle to use! Mine too will be getting striped and refinished now that I've finished the review. I've also come up with a low cost sniper setup, using a £10 air rifle scope and 3d printing some Anzac style mounts.

[@bb_doc3377]

Trigger Unit and HopUp Chamber looks like L96

[@tino897]

So overall these S&T ww2 rifles get better with just the hop rubber and a spring ? Provided they have metal cylinder and spring guide they can take a better spring. I’m really up for the Arisaka or Kar98 and they look the same internally in therms of upgrades. Now I’m not looking to fight SSG10s or Silverbacks but still some good range of the type 50-60 meters should works.

[@EnglishKiwi]

If the arisaka and kar98 are made to the same standard as the lee then yes! I've done a spring change, swapped the barrel to try and get the right cylinder ratio and dropped a maple leaf in and it's performing really well at 1J. If you were to up the spring to get it up to sniper levels I'm sure it'd be able to easily compete with ssg's or silverbacks.

[@tino897]

@@EnglishKiwiwait, you said 0.6-0.7j on 0.30 BBs ? In Taiwangun it shows the thing with 1.41 on 0.20s. Aren’t UK airsoft replicas with low J/FPS springs because of regulations ?

[@Deki_Srpska]

Floppy bayonet go “boioioing”

[@46templar]

Kiwi will you be looking at the ares MK4 Lee Enfeild?

[@EnglishKiwi]

I'm not gonna get the no4, but I'm seriously considering the l42!

[@46templar]

@@EnglishKiwi thats the last model?

[@EnglishKiwi]

@@46templar yeah the 7.62 sniper version, used all the way up to the introduction of the l96.

[@mikleman996]

Have my sub, great review, am looking at getting one ^-^ lets hope they bring out a #4 MK I that would be awesome too what barrel lengh would you recommend ? 430mm?

[@EliKirkMusic]

I wanna turn it into a jungle carbine, dont try to stop me

[@EnglishKiwi]

Whilst it could be done a no4 would make a better base for the jungle carbine :)

[@EliKirkMusic]

@@EnglishKiwi yes but the Australians had some wacky prototype no1 jungle carbines so that'd be interesting. Also I couldn't find an ares no4 for sale anywhere it seems they're all sold out

[@RDPproject]

Pre-emptive *LIKE*

[@derpythespy]

1. where'd you get dem bayonet? 2. do they sell k98 rubber bayonet that fit on the rifle too?

[@EnglishKiwi]

It's one I made myself (Plan to sell them at some point soon!) and alas no I don't do K98 ones :( but I do do L85 and SLR ones :D

[@derpythespy]

@@EnglishKiwi aww, thx for telling me though. it's really well made!

[@EthanolEnthusiast]

Thoughts on the ARES? If any? Ta

[@reecethebeast1458]

is it recommended to use bolt action rifles up front or as a sniper?

[@DucknDiveAirsoft]

That intro 😲😲👌👌👌

[@EnglishKiwi]

You have no idea how long I've been planning that intro 😂

[@DucknDiveAirsoft]

@@EnglishKiwi job well done!! 👏 That field looks fun too.

[@EnglishKiwi]

@@DucknDiveAirsoft come over to the UK and give it a go!

[@DucknDiveAirsoft]

@@EnglishKiwi one day this will happen haha. Last time I was in UK it was for a honeymoon trip in 2017. Wife wouldnt have been happy if I went airsofting then 🤣😜.

[@sombatstudios]

Where did you get the bayonet?

[@sixx6vi472]

Please please start making the bayonet for sale

[@EnglishKiwi]

It's in the works!

[@AnvilAirsoftTV]

I concur

[@Acemans]

I would get it if it wasn't $500+ US. I really want one since the k98 kinda blows.

[@Alecbassindale2024]

As much as I love it...I do prefer the next variant that was used in WW2

[@EnglishKiwi]

I do to! I love them both, but I think I prefer the no4. That being said the smle was used all throughout WW2.

[@waynezhang4258]

@@EnglishKiwi funny thing, what has driven me to buy the S&T smle was actually Ares. After seeing the review, with that ridiculous price tag and mediocre-ish performance on Ares No.4 (especially that stiff bolt push-back action from the review). I decided to go for the SMLE for my ww2 airsoft loadout. Just got it today and i was rather satisfied with its build quality and the feel of it. I will look into further modification later but I certainly was glad I made the purchase.

[@EnglishKiwi]

@@waynezhang4258 I know what you mean! That sliding hop and barrel method just screams inaccuracy to me, but I guess there's only one way to find out!

[@waynezhang4258]

@@EnglishKiwi yeah. i will definitely follow up with any further reviews on that No.4. But for now, I will just stay happy with my SMLE. Forgot to mention, very through video my friend. The amount of detail you put into it is admirable. Looking forward to your future videos. :)

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

Who’s ready to 1915 my backyard 😮 but we have to use shovels to dig since I don’t have excavator or backhoe money

[@olly31d13]

whats this meters thing ,,, yards ,,, 600yards ,,fire ,,,

[@EnglishKiwi]

😂😂😂 apologies, I appear to have filmed this video in 2022, not 1922!

[@RDPproject]

@@EnglishKiwi 😆

[@stewbacca117]

Nice rundown as always Ben, I'm still waiting to hear back about them in stock over here, but now ARES have dropped their No. 4 I'm torn as to which would be better, given the gack hop S&T seem to have fudged into theirs? Although I probably still prefer the SMLE in truth, and all my guns are wall hangers to an extent when I can only really use one or two each weekend 🤔😅 Dat outro music doe. 🎶🧐🤌

[@EnglishKiwi]

I wouldn't say the s&t is gack, it works well, just is a bit easy to knock. In all honesty I'm not sure the area is gonna be any more accurate than the smle as the whole barrel and hop up slides forwards and backwards during the bolt cycle to load a new round! I guess we'll have to wait and see!