Loading the Lee-Enfield: Chargers vs Magazines

What's faster when loading a Lee-Enfield, Chargers or Magazines? The Lee-Enfield and it's derivatives are slightly unique to their contemporaries, they featured detachable box magazines. Besides a period in the early 1890's, they were always loaded from the top through single loading or chargers, when chargers finally came to fruition at the turn of the century. It got me wondering though, could loading them with their un utilized feature have been any faster if it had been used? I took my rifle out to find an answer to this question!
Support my work on Patreon!
/ thefaroffstation
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook!
/ the_far_off_station
/ the-far-off-station-10...

[@arkadeepkundu4729]

*What's faster? Magazines or chargers?* Americans, _gripping a M1 Garand_ : SeMi-AuTo!

[@TheFarOffStation]

I have to admit, this was humorous.

[@SlyCooper1920]

@@TheFarOffStation but Churchill this is my show

[@geezerp1982]

highly trained brits shooting a lee Enfield faster then any other bolt gun and slightly behind the garand !

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@geezerp1982 that's how you know you've designed a great bolt gun!

[@fatmandoobius]

You could definitely speed up magazine loading by more than a bit by streamlining the motions, better bag placement and avoiding the juggling act. Also utilising a second dump bag for simplicity. So fire, rifle up left hand releases mag places in open sack dump back to left side of body, remove new mag from left side of body pouch and load all with left hand, brace rifle with left hand, bolt rifle with right fire. Still not bad overall.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I certainly think it could be sped up overall as well! In the future I'd like to rerun this test, to keep with the historical nature, my thought is to use 37 Pattern webbing since it has the two pouches, and come up with some sort of drill to make it all more concise!

[@SLON-sh2jg]

As far as can be judged, the original design had a main magazine chained to a rifle for this, so as not to waste time put away it, and not lose it. Rifles equipped with a loading bridge, however, do not have this mount (since it was assumed that you would no longer remove the magazine unnecessarily).

[@Crookedchurch]

Or open your smock and stick empty mags in there. Your smock is belted in so emptys are going nowhere, your hands are then rapidly free for mag change. Used to do this with the SA80 all the time hence why many squaddies leave the smock open as a quick mag dump area

[@steamengineshooray]

Brandon F. recommended your channel to me and I must say I am very impressed at your kit. You see I am from the Far East myself and your kit was extremely familiar to me. My friends and I used to do reenactments of the HKVDC when war came to us in 1941 so I was pleasantly surprised to see live firing in your videos as well. Keep up the good work!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm a big fan of the HKVDC myself! Did you do your reenactments with Watershed HK?

[@steamengineshooray]

@@TheFarOffStation Yoooooo I'm glad you've heard of the lads. Aye well I didn't do anything in the main group sadly due to time and current events *cough* *cough* *internal terror* but I did represent the HKVDC for them at a few military reenactment days at various heritage railways in the UK.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@steamengineshooray that's splendid! Sadly, I've heard that reenactment is in a state due to "current events". I'm really happy to hear that you represented the HKVDC in the UK! So often in feels like in the west, people don't know the stories of what happened in the Far East, and so much of what's talked about is the same old stuff, Pearl Harbor, and the Atomic Bombs, it's significantly broader than that!

[@steamengineshooray]

@@TheFarOffStation It do be that sometimes ahah, some of the older men that I spoke to do recognise our cap badge and had this wry smile when fondly remembering their time on our shores. The younger ones have no idea of any Far East regiments and said our cap badge looks like snakes lmao-

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@steamengineshooray they do, that's absolutely splendid, and quite endearing! As for the younger ones, that's kind of a shame, I suppose time and change washes away so much 😢Luckily, there are chaps out there like us who remember!

[@ConvetionalHeretic]

Conducted my own experiment with my no1, if you discard the first magazine while holding the rifle in your right hand (bit tricky but feasable) you can reload blistering fast. (If you have a proper pouch for your mag you avoid a lot of fumbling too...) however considering the weight of the mag and cost + logistic strain it is very obvious why the stuck to stripper clips.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I'll have to give this a try sometime! In the future I'd also like to try it with pattern 37 pouches which would be semi historical, in terms of a universal pouch that is. Unfortunately I don have or have access to and 37 equipment, so it shall sadly have to wait!

[@ClayHerber]

You need to stow the empty magazine before reaching for the full one. I imagine that would speed things up significantly

[@TheFarOffStation]

In the future I want to take this further, and use something like 37 pattern webbing.

[@garyross1133]

Completely agree. I could not understand the ergonomics of what he was doing, trying to handle both empty mag and the full mag at the same time made no sense to me. Notwithstanding my experience using a magazine loaded firearm (the L1A1 SLR) during my 12 years in the British Army, what was demonstrated was probable the least efficient method for changing mag's I could imagine.

[@megakillowning]

You can improve your magazine loading by having the satchel bag purely for empty magazines and have your extra magazine stored in a different pouch. This way, the process will be smoother by removing the empty mag first, putting it on the satchel bag, and then get the extra mag and load it in the rifle.

[@TheFarOffStation]

This kind of test is planned to be tried in the future with 1937 Pattern equipment, to see how something like that could have potentially worked historically.

[@Comma_Man64]

Yeah, I doubt they would have even considered a detachable box if they knew they would end up using chargers; after all, they dropped the idea when developing the Pattern 1914. It really gets hung up on the mag release, and any mag change technique that requires both hands can best be described as "cheesing it."

[@TheFarOffStation]

One hundred percent, there's no surprise why chargers stuck around till the mid twentieth century. Cheesing it is literally the best description to a two handed mag change!

[@TheFarOffStation]

@Tomasi Lock use six chargers, watch the jam session that ensues 😂As for a No.5, I do not have one, it'd be fun to have one though, but currently it's not quite in the budget! Plus, when you get a rifle, you naturally have to build a kit for it, so the price is higher than one thinks!

[@SLON-sh2jg]

The charger clips, oddly enough, were introduced very late, from 1906 or so.

[@jusportel]

The original intention with the Lee Metford, was the primary mag was linked to the rifle, and if the second mag was required in an emergency, the primary mag was left hanging by its chain, and the second mag inserted into the well. Later, the use of the second magazine was discontinued, and it was carried with the soldier’s kit in case the primary mag was damaged. Serjeants had a special tool to expand the chain link, facilitating replacement of the broken magazine. Later still, the spare magazine was discontinued entirely.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Correct, that was just going to be way too much info for too many people.

[@SLON-sh2jg]

As I understand it, the spare magazine was issued in two stages. First time for MLM Mk 1, in 1888-??? (Up to and including 1892 at least exactly... 1895 maybe. These things are hardly documented, and after 1890 it wasn't a standard issuance question). Second time around 1900, for MLM Mk 2 / MLE Mk 1. Both are very rare (in all the time I saw only 1 pouch of the first type, and 5 of the second).

[@regard.pduplessis2109]

Well i just discovered your channel and took a screenshot, so i can remember when I was umber 416. Like the work man keep it up

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, Mate! Glad to see you like the channel! More content coming soon!

[@sharpefamily2782]

Thank the heavens youtube recommended your channel. I noticed that you and Brandon F. are friends. That's quite a coincidence, I never knew you guys knew each other. Also, I just got into watching Brandon F. and watching your videos make it 2-times better!. I must have missed some episodes with you in it, but like I said I just got into Brandon F. so I didn't start with his past episodes. Anyways, keep up the good videos. I really enjoy them!.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Very happy to hear that you’re enjoying the content! If you look closely at some of Brandon’s videos, you will see me here and there, it’s a significantly less fun game of Where’s Waldo!

[@thehistoadian]

Great video and very interesting subject!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you, Histoadian! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@occasionalmarksman4865]

A brilliant video, and extra points for the uniform and kit! For myself, I am Lee Enfield charger inept. I've no trouble with the chargers of any of the rifles in my collection except my Lees; the rounds flop around in the charger and the end rounds want to fall out. When trying to strip them into the magazine, they go everywhere except into the magazine.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Different rifles and chargers can sometimes leave different results, it can be a slightly finicky system. Thanks for stopping by!

[@EliotChildress]

Love the format of the video. Very professional and informative. But a little friendly suggestion, maybe invest in a clip on mic. Other than that and showing the stopped time for a second after the run, you’re golden 😁

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you so much for the kind words! As for the audio, my apologies, the mic I have doesn't work well with my camera's preamp and gives a loud hiss. I was doing my best to mitigate that. I'm planning on getting a new mic for the boom this week or next! So that should hopefully take care of the audio issues! In the future I plan to hold the timer for anything like that, just didn't quite figure it out in time for this video! Thanks constructive comment, I really do appreciate it!

[@tedhubertcrusio372]

Manual of arms suggest using the sling to expedite the reloading process, twisting your arm around and wrapping it then let the rifle hang while you change mags.

[@edthebumblingfool]

given the tuning required on magazines to suit each Rifle just use stripper clips and after between 6 and 8 shots to ensure easy filling, also have lose rounds to top up during the famous lulls in Battle. Modern soldiers wouldnt belive that you could use an SLR with only 4 mags but keeping these 4 topped up meant you could. When working in a section or brick this was also easier with somebody always ready to cover

[@tylerthegrimm]

Great show from the boys as always

[@Russianpaintrain]

Nice equipment , well done.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you! If you’re interested more in the kit, I have a whole video on it here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2nXaql7gteYj6c

[@flyboymike111357]

In modern usage, there is a "dump pouch" for empty magazines, among other things, so as to prevent them from being mistaken for loaded magazines. Like the inverse of an expense pouch. Supposing there was a military force somewhere that issued three rifle magazines to every rifleman. They would likely have prescribed pouches on the webbing or belt for these magazines. And a prescribed dump pouch. Chargers could be carried in their own prescribed pouches, an expense pouch, and/or a bandolier. I would recommend trying this experiment again, but with the pouch you stowed your empty magazine in on your left side, say the 7 or 8 o clock position. While keeping the pouch you drew the magazine from in relatively the same place. It looks like it could shave 5 seconds off your time.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I ran the test in a first half of the twentieth century spirit, of replacing the magazine into a place where you took something out of. This test could be fun using 37 pattern webbing, where you could run it with some historical gear, you could use the premise that you just talked about there of using one of the pouches for a "dump pouch". In the future I'd like to do this if I have access to some 37 pattern equipment. I think the method you talked about here could be effective using it.

[@Crookedchurch]

The dump pouch everyone is one about in the modern British army is simply the front of your smock. This is left open below the nick and unzipped low enough so you can quickly push all.empty mags down your front. Webbing belts the smock in so those emptys aren't going anywhere and can be retrieved when you need to bomb up again. Uncomfy laying empty in a firefight but that's the least of your problems. Hope this helps.

[@flyboymike111357]

@@Crookedchurch I wasn't talking about the modern British army. I was talking about something called a dump pouch used in the US military, law enforcement, and competition scene. They are collapsible drawstring pouches that can be added to any piece of modular web gear for empty magazines or other items that need to be stowed quickly. Usually worn in the 5 to 7 o clock positions by the natural waist or hips.

[@dasveetm4379]

And that kit! Especially the helmet! Who do you use to get that stuff?

[@TheFarOffStation]

It's all from a variety of different places! The Wolseley Helmet is the most difficult piece to obtain (if you want an original that is), mine is a 1942 example, made my Moores London. I go over every single item in this video here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2nXaql7gteYj6c If you have any other questions or comments, just leave a comment here or there, and I'll be happy to answer them!

[@Dreadnought586]

Great Video

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks!

[@m.alexcorrales1188]

Just curious, hows you procure the Lee Enfield rifle.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Well, that depends upon the country and shire in which you dwell!

[@prussia1557]

@@TheFarOffStation but the shire in which I dwell called me a sinner unworthy of gods love. Do you think they'll allow me a piece of Anglican engineering?

[@joshuathomas8529]

@@TheFarOffStation in most of the United States its easy find gun online. Order the gun of your choice and have it sent to your local Federal firearms license dealer (gun shop)

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@prussia1557 I think you and I both very well know the answer to that question...

[@daryllee8332]

Asking for a friend or for homework?

[@GolinskiGrishenko]

Just found this channel and subscribed

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks mate, cheers!

[@TheAuditor6846]

Good question!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Rather!

[@pondyellow3286]

This channel is gold

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, old boy! Happy to see that you like it so!

[@spikerobot4113]

Fascinating

[@TheFarOffStation]

Indeed!

[@sbreheny]

Nice work - but I do have to wonder how much you practiced with each method prior to the trial run. Could it be that the magazine method just takes more practice?

[@TheFarOffStation]

It hasn't much to do with practice, but more of a reevaluation of what might work in the favor of loading the Lee Enfield with magazines. The current "drill" involves a pouch on the left side, which is where ammunition in British service has always been. Future runs will experiment with systems that might improve the times.

[@haroldellis9721]

The original plan with the M-14 was to use stripper clips/chargers as the primary means of reloading, with some spare magazines carried. I believe the primary motivation in that case was weight.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Interesting that even that late, this was still a notion so discussed.

[@calumdeighton]

I'll be honest, you do differ a bit with the extracting of the magazine. But that is purely down to as you mentioned, practising and drilling enough with the process. The mag release catch is a bit awkward as shown, I do agree. But as you demonstrate, drill and practise really shows how the stripper clip system is faster compared when you used the mag exchange system instead. Nice vid though, will share this. 👍

[@TheFarOffStation]

In the future I'd like to try this with 37 Pattern webbing, and come up with some sort of drill to make it more concise, but it must what until I have access to some! Glad to see that you like the video though, and thanks for the share!

[@papakalashnikova2639]

Interesting video, of course with practice and a smoother procedure it would make the mag reload a bit faster albeit probably not much faster. It looks like the big thing that gets you is having to save the magazine and having a pretty lousy spot to store it, in modern day we have way more ergonomic designs and way more convenient ways of storing magazines for easier/ faster reloading so it's pretty unfair to compare the speed of a smle reload to say an m4 reload lol. Anyways, nice video and I'm glad you shared it with us!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks for stopping by.

[@catlowontour2641]

Cool glasses, got an inspector Kido vibe from Man in the High Castle. Where’d you get em?

[@TheFarOffStation]

Kido had a fantastic aesthetic in Man in the High Castle! I got these glasses from the site Zenni Optical, you can find them here! www.zennioptical.com/p/metal-alloy-full-rim-frame-with-spring-hinges/5500?skuId=550011

[@EdMurphy13]

im curious to what it would be if you had the front of the gun resting on something as if you were in a trench or behind cover. i feel it would be faster since you could leave the gun at your shoulder which would make it easier to drop the mag

[@TheFarOffStation]

In the future I’d like to try that, the muzzle laying on a parapet would steady the rifle quite a bit, I’m confident that it would make it much easier.

[@EdMurphy13]

@@TheFarOffStation i would also say that you know in battle you might just have to drop the mag to reload as fast as possible. i would say if possible hold the gun to your shoulder with the right hand, drop the mag, and at the same time reach to you left to grab a new one and insert it. not sure if thats possible standing might need a sling

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@EdMurphy13 I definitely want to try this in many different ways to see how it could work!

[@jamiecook3966]

Really like your show wish more young people would pay attention to history.

[@jeffli1243]

Hi, do you know much about the British version of the Daisy Mae hat? I think it was called the general service tropical hat, or something similar. It looks sort of like a bucket hat. You can find these hats if you search “Malayan Emergency” or “Chindits”. Other than that, I could not find anything about it. I think it it is a large part of late imperial history and am surprised there is little online about it.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I know of the hat, and I know of it's use in the post war era, but I don't know much specifics on it. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the channel Rifleman Moore kzbin.info/door/ljhR9gWXSZNixDeJP_ySjg but he has videos on his collection in this period. If you don't see any videos that tell you what you are looking for, you can always reach out to him, Simon's very knowledgeable. If anyone's going to know, it's Simon, I found him to be one of the most knowledgeable people on the period that you're talking about. Let me know if you find what you need there.

[@Bountyhopper]

I have a original 1893 German mouser, and I have some chargers, not for reenacting or anything, just because. But a lot of times if the clip isn’t at he right angle, it the rounds don’t feet, it’s it’s angled to far up, the rounds get stuck, if it’s angled to far down, the rounds get stuck. Is this a common problem or just me

[@TheFarOffStation]

I couldn’t say unfortunately, I primarily focus on British Arms.

[@jonahtaivalkoski322]

I think its quite obvious why detachable box magazines weren't common for infantry rifles. In most cases, stripper clips are faster, lighter and inexpensive. This advantage is even greater for rifles with 5 round magazines.

[@silvesby]

I wonder, do you think having your bag slung over your right shoulder would have helped with the magazine reload?

[@TheFarOffStation]

I think that it would help ever so slightly, the magazine release is what seems to take the most amount of time, but I think streamlining the stowing might shave 1-2 second off. I believe that chargers would still be faster, but their times would certainly be closer. I think it'd be interesting to do this with 37 pattern pouches, then you start to get into some things that are slightly more plausible, historically speaking that is.

[@silvesby]

@@TheFarOffStation I definitely agree with you, I think chargers would still be quicker anyways. Interesting point with the 37 pattern pouches, also. That'd be an interesting experiment.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@silvesby if I have access to, or get some 37 pattern pouches, I'll most certainly try this again!

[@jeremybain3830]

In my research I have found that the Lee enfield isn't meant to take two chargers at a time. Otherwise you will run into ye olde rim jam. Accordingly if you want to avoid it you need to load the last five manually. It is annoying though when the weapon was made with a 10 round magazine.

[@TheFarOffStation]

May I ask where you found this research? At this point I've seen nothing that backs up this claim, both doctrinally in period drills, and by the experience of shooters in the Lee-Enfield community. In a properly functioning magazine, rim lock shouldn't be a big issue as the geometry is designed to align the cartridges and prevent this very issue. Even when rim lock occurs by a wonky magazine or by chance, the beveled edges on the rim of the casing allow them to glide over one another. In certain modern manufactures, this bevel is sometimes not included and causes issues, but that has no impact on the historical standings.

[@vincentyoung9059]

How many soldiers did you interviewed that used the enfield rifle. I know for a fact that they would have told the way they were trained to use and reloading of the enfield and then they would've taught you tips and tricks on maximum reloading time .

[@TheFarOffStation]

None, because training manuals exist.

[@INoticed_XIV]

This channel is probably gonna blow up soon he’ll be doing collaborations with Forgotten Weapons

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you for the kind words, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves though 😂I think we need a K next to that 339 before anything like that 😂

[@AgentActive]

Your no4 looks nice

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you!

[@stretchedout6600]

That magazine release tab pain in the As I have a Savage Arms No.4MkI* lend lease rifle its a good shooter but for self defense probably stick with my M1 Garand

[@TheFarOffStation]

Yes, it certainly is a bit wretched in the modern magazine change system of today. The M1 does far better, though that is understandable, given the fact that it was a next generation rifle.

[@OldManMontgomery]

Interesting. One notes the 'magazine change' system in the video was impeded in speed by the requirement to retain the first magazine. Simply dropping the magazine would seem to speed up the process. This with the conditions at hand - only two magazines issued - is rather self defeating. The charger clip reload goes much faster but requires two loading strokes, as the magazine holds ten rounds while the charger clips hold five. Compare this action and time involved with the M1 Garand rifle. Essentially the same action, except the main mechanism for the magazine stays in place and a full loading of ammunition (eight rounds) is inserted just once and then is automatically ejected. One notes the U. S. M14 rifle has (had?) a detachable box magazine AND a holder for loading the magazine in the rifle with charger clips. So I presume some uncertainty in the better system. It seems that generally, the change of magazines was promoted. Which appears to me as a decision to promote rate of fire as beneficial. The advantage of the 'internal, charger loaded, non detachable' magazine are: The ability for an individual to carry more ammunition, as the weight of the disposable magazines (seven as I recall) would be available for ammunition; and an interior magazine is less likely to be damaged by dropping the arm or running into an obstruction.

[@raymondpoh]

just wondering how is the recoil thanks

[@TheFarOffStation]

For anyone new to shooting, it's a bit of recoil, but once you get used to it and improve your technique, it's not overly noticeable. Technique determines a lot of what you feel.

[@Kedrezac]

I'm loving this video but the levels on the audio are so low I can't hear it on my phone volume maxed out.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Glad to see you love it! My apologies for the audio, the mic I have doesn't work well with my camera's preamp and gives a loud hiss. I was doing my best to mitigate that. I'm planning on getting a new mic for the boom this week or next!

[@Kanoshe]

@@TheFarOffStation just use a phone. phone's have great mics. honestly just make this whole ass video again dude holy shit.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@Kanoshe no, no, phones do not have good mics, they're decent, but they're nothing in comparison to good quality if you can have one. You can't change the proximity to the subject or anything, same as with an on camera mic. Plus they aren't cardioid, so you pic up more surrounding than you might like.

[@stevonkoch8002]

where can i get a magazine for a 303 enfield i inherited. do they still make the strip ammo for it?

[@TheFarOffStation]

Magazines can be had online. Ammunition doesn't come on chargers, but you can find it and then out it on chargers.

[@stevonkoch8002]

@@TheFarOffStation yah but magazine on ebay and a cool bayonet that snaps on. ammo is out of stock everywhere except old stock that is labeled "corrosive" and it frickin a dollar a round. hopefully places get some back in stock.

[@stevonkoch8002]

@@TheFarOffStation found it in boxes of 20 already in stripper clips!

[@Russianpaintrain]

Ahh , the old rim lock , my favorite part of Dunkirk movie.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I thought it was quite interesting that they included it in the film!

[@themobsprinter]

Are you using ear plugs? If you’re not, was that intentional for historical accuracy or just a slip up on your part?

[@TheFarOffStation]

After shooting the tests, I went to take out my earplugs, they were not present, I'd forgotten to put them in! I believe that from reenacting I've become quite accustomed to the report of firearms. Earlier in the day, when rifles were going off all around, with live ammunition, I had, had them in. You notice live reports significantly more when you're next to them, vs behind them! That being said, I always strongly advise hearing protection whilst shooting!!!

[@themobsprinter]

@@TheFarOffStation have you noticed any immediate or long term hearing damage. I once fired one round out of a friends AK and was deaf for the entire rest of that day and had tinnitus for a while after that. Granted, I have sensitive ears, so that may be why. Where’d you find the uniform and chargers? I’ve considered getting a British First World War uniform for collecting, and was curious. Lastly, you mentioned casting. What do you use for casting, including protective equipment? I’ve considered getting into casting as I’m already a reloader, but am kind of lost at where to start. Especially wanting to cast .311 as both the Lee Enfield and type 99 Arisaka both use them. Sorry if I asked too many questions. Thanks for any advice you can give

[@TheFarOffStation]

​@@themobsprinter I haven't noticed any, except for this instance, I always wear hearing protection when shooting live. As for reenacting, the fire I'm around is from 18th century muskets, and because of their calibre and all, they have a relatively tame report. Occasionally I've gotten caught off guard with a plug out with live fire, but for me it hasn't been so bad. It also depends on where you are an how the sound is reflecting. In general though, I don't like covered ranges with all the people, it takes you out of the moment. As for the uniform, it's from a multitude of different places. The most iconic, piece, the Wolseley Sun Helmet, is a 1942 original, made my Moores of London. In my video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2nXaql7gteYj6c I go over how I built the kit, and where I got the items! Of course, if you have any more questions or comments, just feel free to ask! I do First World War, in the next few weeks I plan to do a video on my kit, just like with the video I shared with you here, maybe that could help you as well? A mate of mine casts them up for me. Mine is the same one as used by Rob of Britishmuzzleloaders, have you watched his channel? He goes through the whole process, and that is pretty much how mine are done as well. Most casts run about .313-15 ish. Questions are most welcome, I have this channel to make videos on things in this field, and if it helps someone in the topics I cover, then we're doing grand! Ask what you need, if I can help and know, I'm more than happy to answer!

[@luked2767]

No idea why they decided to go with a 5 round mag in the P13 / P14 I feel if they did make the P13 or just something similar to a SMLE with a 7mm rimless cartridge that did not use cordite, good sights like on later SMLEs, front locking lugs with controlled feeding, preferable a shorter bolt travel and a bolt that had a sub 90 degree bolt thow prefrsble 60, a smoother stripper clips as in Mauser just close the boot rule and have it more accursed and lighter it would be amazing.. After the war If NATO went with the .270 Brit (7mm British) intermediate cartridge. I'm sure it would still be in service today and modern loads could get a 100g bullet close to 3000fps or even more 7.62 NATO was a mistake better to stay with it or .30 06mm or a .338 round for machine guns and long range rifles. Ironicaly .270 Brit has the same bore size as the new .277 fury that the US is using in it's new M5.... I have shot commercial SMLEs (ones officers would buy and civilians could outside of wartime) the quality and accuracy is just so smooth. I also shit one converted to .308 and it's amazing also an accurate P17 in .308 and that's great also but no 10 round mag but it will fit 6... I have had some rough and sporterized .303 rifles (all had very rough leads and headspace issues) had both a SMLE and a Martini Endeild converted to .54r bore diameter is the same so the barrels have to be removed and depending on the lead errosion not much has to be cut off. Rechambered in .54r with a reamer and finishing reamer then also polished, tight headspace set and extractor groove recut. The smle mag only needed a little fiddling around to get right, both had a little muzzle errosion but not much needed tk be cut at all then elrecriwned, very accurate with what was then cheap milsurp ammo. The smle can also be converted to 7.62x39 .303, .54r x39 tok and all types of 7.7 Japanese have the same bore diameter. I have a chamber insert in my late war Arisaka T99 ( around the time they stopped chroming the barrels) and it works great, I can allways remove it if I want to and readjust the mag. It's common for Vickers guns to be rechambered in ,.54r, Lewis guns can be but you need to find russian mags and same with brens but they could all probably be converted to x39 The Japanese uses 7.7R ( direct copy of .303) But they had 7.7SR for machine guns then 7.7 for rifles and some machine guns. So 7.7 Japanese rimless is just rimless .303

[@burningone354]

Bruh, those were some HUGE hang fires.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Well it was from 1942...so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@burningone354]

@@TheFarOffStation Well I am sure you know what you're doing. Just not the safest option. I know ammo availability isn't the best right now, let alone .303 Brit so I suppose you use what you have on hand! You should swing by the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot next time they have it! Plenty of vendors there! I was able to get 100 rounds of the modern Russian Wolf brand for $50 last time I was there. Next one should be in April if they have it!

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@burningone354 ammo....What’s ammo? Yes, the ammo situation is quite poor right now, kind of worried what I’m going to do. Problem is, even components are out. This is the least ideal situation..... Knob Creek, is that the big thing out west?

[@burningone354]

@@TheFarOffStation It'll get better with time, but not so sure about .303. Not many people are looking for obsolete rifle rounds nowadays. Big thing out west? Not sure what you're talking about honestly. The Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot is the largest machine gun shoot in North America. Based out of West Point, Kentucky. So I suppose if you are East of there, then yes that's out West.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@burningone354 oh man, even obsolete rounds are out, literally everything that goes pop! Living on the East Coast, everything is West, you can't go too far or you end up in the Atlantic!

[@VonTurtle8282]

if you had tucked the rifle under your arm while balancing the entire weight of the rifle on your right hand it would have left your left hand free to fish around in a bag for the new magazine and replace the empty without the messy fumbling and the multiple grip changes of the rifle that you noted.

[@GOF1]

I see I am late to the party. One of the advantages of the chargers is that you can carry dozens of them. They take up way less room so even if you could could have got your hands on a crap load of magazines back in the day the bulk and weight of them would limit what you could carry.

[@jd1759]

Where did you get the outfit?

[@TheFarOffStation]

Components are all from different places. The vast majority of the reproduced items are from WPG.

[@conrailquality1999]

How much do the bullets for it cost? Or are they just modern bullets

[@TheFarOffStation]

Erm, it depends upon if they’re original cartridges, modern ones (and if so, made by whom and what are they for), or reloaded. In this video you see both original and reloaded.

[@conrailquality1999]

@@TheFarOffStation Ah, interesting

[@Doometernal_guy420]

Ngl soldiers in WW1 were probably not trying to stow mags back up

[@cohort075]

Pouch on the left side of the body, hold the rifle butt, into the body, release the magazine with the trigger finger, into the palm of the left hand. Place the empty magazine into the pouch, remove the full mag, place it on the rifle, continue firing. You should find that it is easier. And no your not done, until you try it this way. From an Australian ex-soldier, with two 2 Enfields.

[@TheFarOffStation]

In the future, I'd like to do this with 37 Pattern Webbing, so it's using some somewhat historic kit, and create some sort of drill like you and others have suggested. Until I have access to some, it will unfortunately have to wait! Thanks for the comment!

[@cohort075]

@@TheFarOffStation Not a problem mate. It’s always refreshing to see young people taking an interest in military history. Keep up the good work. 🇦🇺

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@cohort075 thank you, I certainly shall! I'm happy to see all the Commonwealth brethren in the comments section!

[@johnav8rflys]

I think the test is flawed until you get a manual of arms down for both methods of reloading. Then you can have a fair comparison

[@TheFarOffStation]

Charger loading was literally done via the book method. As for magazines, there is no book method, because they never used them in this manner. In the future, I'd like to do this with 37 Pattern Webbing to try and create a proper drill with an ease of stowing.

[@johnav8rflys]

@@TheFarOffStation ya I see that the charger was but what I was saying until he works out and gets as good with as he is with the chargers on the magazines it’s not a fair comparison he stuttered between the bag and magazine trying to decide what to do first. He needs a practiced method with the magazine’s just like it seemed he had with the chargers to make it a fair comparison. I know one does not exist with the magazine’s he just needs to work out something that works and get it down at least as well as how he handles the chargers or it’s not a fair comparison

[@rmduwk]

M1 garand: bro u good?

[@thjalfi4606]

10/10 intro

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, Mate!

[@NotaFakeAccount-cj6zt]

Nice outro

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, mate!

[@alankohn6709]

I think you need to do this test again because that has to be the most Cack handed magazine change in the history of magazine changes :) really hold the rifle in your left hand releasing the magazine with your left hand remove the magazine with the right place spent magazine in pouch and remove charge magazine and replace it. don't try to hold the magazine in your off hand then juggle the gun and magazine. But the chargers were cheap and easy so I can see why they used them.

[@MAgrippa76]

Subscribed 444!!

[@TheFarOffStation]

Most splendid! Thank you, and also, congratulations!

[@barttorbert5031]

The Lee Enfield magazine was never intended to be swappable. So it really is hard to take one out and put another back in. Not a maneuver you want to do in combat. Plus they kind of fit one rifle, but not all rifles. Not a truly interchangeable part. But the concept did help pave the path to modern swappable magazines.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Indeed, this was just a fun thought experiment. In fact, because of the magazine fit, that's why I had so many hang ups with feeding!

[@barttorbert5031]

@@TheFarOffStation When I got my Lee-Enfield, I read about how swapping magazines would not work. I did not buy this and went through the same experiment as you did. At that point I went searching for a supply of stripper clips.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@barttorbert5031 one of the biggest problems I see with Lee-Enfields and magazines, are the feed lips. I truly do not see them holding up for usage like this. In the Lee-Enfield community, everyone tries to be really kind to the lips, imagine them being used for rapid magazine changes, it's going to go just stupendously.

[@SLON-sh2jg]

In fact, all Lee previous rifles, such as the M1879, M1882 and M1885, came with four spare magazines each. But when it came to mass use, it immediately became clear at what cost it would become.

[@jackdorsey4850]

When I was in the service our magazines were reloaded

[@VNSnake1999]

I want to see Lucas from T-Rex Arms to run and gun with this rifle.

[@TheFarOffStation]

You should suggest it to him!

[@joshuathomas8529]

If you want to speed up your mag changes use two pouches. What i am abiut to describe requires modern military pants please see U.S BDU pants widely available online. Step one leave the flap unbuttoned on your no dominate firing leg cargo pocket. Step two after expending all ammunition frome your magazine grip magazine with non dominate hand while pressing magazine releases with dominate hand. Step three place expended magazine in cargo pocket. Step four with magazine pouch placed on non dominate side grab fresh magazine and insert it into weapon system. This method works with most rifles and pistols.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I'm sure that'd be quicker, but this old girl No.4 from 1942, might be very, very confused with such modern equipment.That being said, with improved technique, time would improve a bit.

[@joshuathomas8529]

@@TheFarOffStation i am avid collector of any thing that goes bang. I had a number 4 and sold it to my brother because i had a hard time hitting any thing with it. Know i wish i had not done so. I fully understand the cool factor of using the time period gear. I the more i learn about WWI and WWII gear the more I appreciate the modern gear I used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hear is one startling fact at least on the American end of things none of our ground vehicles had heaters in them in WWII. Meaning that in battles fought in the winter their was no getting away frome the cold.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@joshuathomas8529 an avid collector of things that go bang, I can get behind that! I think that using and looking into historical equipment really helps to appreciate the things that we have now! You know, it's never too late to reacquire another No.4, it's only a click away!

[@joshuathomas8529]

@@TheFarOffStation i would get another mark 4 or better yet a jungle Carbine but as of late it has become hard just to by ammo for my big 4 favorites (7.62X39, .223/5.56, 9mm, and 22LR) much less any thing else. Where ever you are living i wish you the best of luck finding ammo. As far as other gear as much as I love early 20th century stuff and would love to collect it, i don't have the space to store it. With the pandemic getting worse i have to use all the space i have to store food, ammo, and toilet paper.

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@joshuathomas8529 yes, ammo's (and components for it) out just about everywhere, I unfortunately don't think the narrative is different anywhere else. Be well out there, fun times these are! Whenever things get better, maybe then you can collect early 20th century!

[@kurt9837]

Tbf charger loading just looked alot less awkward in general

[@TheFarOffStation]

It really is, the whole magazine release just adds a layer of complexity to loading with it.

[@jthebk3864]

You should attempt a more modern mag change since your in grass and it won't damage your magazine. Dropping the mag and grabbing the new one would have saved alot of time.

[@TheFarOffStation]

That of course would have been, but that would have also defeated the purpose of looking at this through a historical lens as an exploration into how a magazine might have been used in the early 20th century. That being said, I do plan to try some other things in the future as further explorations.

[@jthebk3864]

@@TheFarOffStation yeah I get that they definitely weren't dropping mags back then I'm just curious what it would look like haha

[@jthebk3864]

@@TheFarOffStation imagine a "tactical reload" on an enfield haha

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@jthebk3864 as a historic as that might be, it’d also be super cool to see! It will happen, I don’t know when, but it will!

[@maxwellclark6992]

I have personally never shot a Lee-enfield, so I don’t know if it can be difficult to chamber rounds, as it looked like you were having trouble with the first round, and you had to take the Charger out. I’ve seen people with mauser action rifles just close the bolt and the stripper clip just falls away. I wondered which action you thought was better?

[@TheFarOffStation]

It can honestly depend upon the rifle and it's magazine. Magazine's are the biggest reason to why a Lee-Enfield is not feeding properly, and there are a few variables with them to exactly why. With my No. 4 I've had the most issues with feeding and such, with the SMLE's (No. 1), I really haven't had that many issues. A Lee-Enfield will clear a stripper clip (charger) away just like a mauser when you move a round into the chamber, but if you're loading 10 rounds into an empty magazine, you will need to use 2 five round chargers (stripper clips). So the first one must be cleared away, but the second one will automatically clear away when the round is moved into the chamber as the bolt is closed. Which action is better? In what way do you define as better? Efficient in loading, strongest, most used, longest survived, effective at it's given purpose? If we're looking at their given purpose as instruments of war, well the cold reality is that the perform this task equally well. Anyway, thanks for the comment! If this didn't answer any of your questions as you wanted, let me know! In the future I hope to have some more content on the Lee-Enfield, so you should be able to see more off how it functions!

[@TheJonsey999]

You have world map showing the british empire in imperial pink

[@TheFarOffStation]

I do! That's a reproduction pictorial map of the world, that was from the 1930s! If you check out my other videos, you will also see some other period maps, that also have British Imperial Pink!

[@TheJonsey999]

My grandfather saw alot India, around about 1935 on wards he was part surveying team looking possible Invasion routes that Japanese empire might take during a possible conflict, the government predicted at that time that british empire would possible be at war with Germany or Japan around about mid 1940, because at that time uk had started design phases of new battleships destroyers and frigates, but also there where discussion also for improved or completely diffrent battle rifle using .303 cartridge there are more details I believe at imperial war museum in London, reason why I've mentioned this is because in your video of magazine reload vs stripper clip feeding, it was quiet common for soilders either practicing when using stripper clips for common problem that occurs which called "rim lock" and .303 has rim rather than trench at base of the round where extractor would fit, it was know to British arm that clippers strips would have been effect if .303 ditched the rim on cartige which would of eliminated the issue you had with experiment, but the out break of war early stopped this from happening, hope you found this helpful

[@daudenfield2905]

It's like if the Grandfather from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a child.....

[@TheFarOffStation]

Quite

[@SplatterHouseArchives]

alot of this could be improved by practicing your magazine reloading also no offense but the gun seems to have a hard time ejecting cartridges.

[@resolute123]

So why bother with a detachable magazine in the design to begin with? Other maybe correcting a malfunction?

[@MichaelWilliams-fl4hx]

had they used a magazine with 15 or 20 rounds they might have seen fit to use more magazines.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Potentially, though the larger experimental magazines during WWI appear to have performed poorly, likely from charger loading though.

[@dicklarge1901]

I like your costume.👍🏻

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thanks, mate!

[@troyweatherford2428]

I feel as though the magazine loading could be done much faster

[@TheFarOffStation]

Faster than I did it, or faster overall when compared to the chargers?

[@steveh4962]

I think you were having rimlock issues in the video.

[@jackwardley3626]

you would drop the mag on the ground in combat and pick it up later. The army should have issued say 6-7 mags per soldier if its got a magazine use it just the army not caring about the troops and better yet should had made it semi auto by 1930's. The m-14 could use both and the U.S. ARMY chose mags

[@TheFarOffStation]

If you can’t supply that many magazines then, no, you can’t just drop it.

[@Nattleby]

I dare say this lad caught a bit of rim lock….

[@TheFarOffStation]

Such is the way of a rimmed cartridge.

[@sprPee]

Put empty mag away then take out a fresh one. Why juggle

[@xinyuliu56]

But you need to know that magazines are precious

[@TheFarOffStation]

They are, the rifle will not function without them.

[@alanli2404]

3:10 ha someone's never been yelled at.

[@TheFarOffStation]

?

[@chris.3069]

what

[@MrReded69]

You should hang the magazine bag under your web gear to keep it from moving around. Maybe move the canteen carrier behind you and place the mag bag in its place. For the empty mags, you should have an empty drop bag on your left hip. Simplifies removing the mag with your left and dropping it in the left bag. Or, while wearing Pattern '37 battle dress trousers, keep the left thigh utility pocket empty and open. Just an idea.

[@chris.3069]

Good video and all but audio was kind of whack

[@TheFarOffStation]

Thank you, as for the audio, my apologies, the mic I have doesn't work well with my camera's preamp and gives a loud hiss. I was doing my best to mitigate that, but there is a new mic in the mail that should remedy the situation!

[@justarandommalayboi8231]

0:13 *This and the first few minutes of the Dunkirk opening scene have too much similarity.*

[@TheFarOffStation]

They certainly do! Though in this instance, the nose of the bullet got stuck on the feed ramp due to it being a cast one, and not FMJ. Where as in the the film it was a rim jam. Either way, in a properly functioning magazine, these things aren’t really a problem!

[@DIVeltro]

I should think that simply dropping the magazine to the ground and reloading the fresh mag would be faster

[@TheFarOffStation]

You should think correctly, but it wouldn't quite be within the spirit of the history like I talked about in the video!

[@historyarmyproductions]

I suggest you invest in a camera or lapel microphone. The audio in your non on the range shots was a little quiet.

[@TheFarOffStation]

This topic has been addressed a few times, you can check out my replies there! Long story short, my microphone and camera don't get along!

[@historyarmyproductions]

@@TheFarOffStation I understand. (Great video btw, very professional.)

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@historyarmyproductions the new mic is here, so audio should be improving henceforth! Thank you for the kind words as well!

[@historyarmyproductions]

@@TheFarOffStation Wonderful! You're quite welcome.

[@harryjoe860]

With practice you could probably get it down to 10 seconds give or take

[@TheFarOffStation]

Chargers or magazines?

[@harryjoe860]

@@TheFarOffStation probably both, I just got my hands on an aussie mk4 need a spare mag and some chargers

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@harryjoe860 times could certainly come down, just now sure of how much really. I'll have to do it again! Aussie mk4? Do you mean a No. 1 Mk III? Australia never adopted the No. 4, they decided the rifle they had worked just fine lol

[@harryjoe860]

@@TheFarOffStation yup! just checked its a mkIII* I just assumed it was a mk4 because its WW2 1941 production

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@harryjoe860 I think that's a completely reasonable assumption! The No. 4 has such a global conscience as the Empire's Second World War rifle, even though the SMLE was in widespread service till the end of the war, and was even still used by the Australians in Korea!

[@hoosierhell7456]

An incredibly nonchalant reload

[@TheFarOffStation]

I suppose so

[@Momo_Kawashima]

sure, you can dump the mag and shove a new one in, but it's cursed

[@kinggeorgeiii7515]

Here from Brandon. Hello Brandon

[@TheFarOffStation]

Happy to see you found yourself over here from my mate! Hope you enjoy the content here!

[@kinggeorgeiii7515]

The Far Off Station I quite enjoy your content. I should really watch more of your videos. -Napoleon

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@kinggeorgeiii7515 glad to hear you enjoy my content! With this being a new channel and all, there isn't much content yet, fret not though, more is on the way!

[@kinggeorgeiii7515]

The Far Off Station every channel on this topic is interesting. You’ll get there! Remember me when you hit 1k subs, 100k subs, and 1 Million subs! -Napoleon

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@kinggeorgeiii7515 sorry for missing your comment. Thank you for your kind words! Let's not get ahead of ourselves in subscriber count, those are all very far of...if ever 😂Should the sky open up and it does, I shall remember 😂

[@magoid]

Since you are starting a YT channel, please allow me a few constructive advice: - Try to level the mic volume throughout the video, on the software you use to edit it. That is a big difference between the outside footage and the inside. Also, try to level the sound of the shot with the one of your voice. I had to make constant volume changes to watch your video. Up to hear what you were saying, down to not blow my speakers during the shots. - Before you do these speed tests, try to gain some experience with the weapon you are making a video about. No offense, but your reloads were kind of painful to watch, like you had chosen to do your first SMLE magazine changes in front of the camera. Try to find what the best method is and practice it (dry firing it, to not waste ammunition) until you find yourself doing it with confidence. Them make the video. Best regards and good luck with the channel.

[@TheFarOffStation]

I've already addressed the audio component numerous times in the comments section here, please check the responses out there! Audio adjustment was done in Premiere through headphones at set just above -24dB, lower than what's the usual of -12dB, through my phones I had no issues with the blowing, your mileage may vary on your device though. As for the weapon, it's not my first time, you've just found just seen what and everyone else has seen, it's a finicky beast, and points the advantages of charger loading. I've discussed with others in the comments sections here about possibly improving it for the future, with other historical gear, if interested, check the comments out! Thanks for your comment!

[@stephensmith5115]

Now set your pouch on your non shooting side

[@TheFarOffStation]

I've already addressed this issue in multiple comments, please check out my responses there!

[@kazansky22]

It is just me or is he really hard to hear when sitting at his desk?

[@TheFarOffStation]

This has been addressed a few times before, please see my responses below.

[@MFaek]

Mag reloading would be faster if stupid concrete minders from Army would think about that

[@williamjames5664]

The most uncomfortable magazine changes jve ever seen

[@TheFarOffStation]

Probably

[@nolancruzsmith]

Bro wtf are those mag reloads?!

[@TheFarOffStation]

You tell me bro

[@George_M55729]

When the lees were issued with two magazines, one was bound to the rifle with a chain so it couldn't be lost. This would shorten the magazine reload time significantly as soldiers didn't need to worry about stowing the empty magazine. Just release it and let it hang.

[@TheFarOffStation]

They were indeed and I imagine this process would have been quick. I wonder how it would have played out on the battlefield, had it really been utilized. In my test though, I ran it as how detachable magazines were used in the mid twentieth century.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Sfop making up rubbish.

[@georgewashington132]

Why aren't you wearing ear protection

[@mashbury]

Sorry ... what did you say ?

[@TheFarOffStation]

George, I've addressed this in multiple comments already, look for the responses there, cheers! 🙂

[@Barbac62]

15 seconds rim-jam. at 16 seconds you are dead

[@TheFarOffStation]

That’s how the ball rolls, isn’t it.

[@Harry.said.so.]

I want to subscribe but the channel has 420 subscribers and its causing me a mental dilemma

[@TheFarOffStation]

It's okay Harry, others have done the the dirty deed for you, you're safe now 😂

[@Harry.said.so.]

@@TheFarOffStation excellent