Pro Tips: Inspecting a Lee-Enfield SMLE Rifle for Purchase

[@mattconnor8677]

One of the world's great bolt action battle rifles. I bought my first one when I was a freshman in college for $60. It was in never-issued condition with all matching serial numbers, 100% bluing, pristine wood and mirror bore. Very accurate with properly made .303 ammo, and low recoil compared to 30.06 or 8mm. I have been in love with these old war horses ever since.

[@Xiox321]

I'll give you $70 for it.

[@johnbeaman9570]

This would have been helpful 4 days ago when I bought 2 enfields

[@dogguy8603]

John Beaman i dont know if a SMLE would be the rifle of choice for you according to your profile pic, might i suggest a AK, it is a real party ;) /)

[@Chilled_Wombat]

Where did you get it?

[@davet1736]

Same here, just brought my new Long Branch home yesterday. ;)

[@loftsatsympaticodotc]

@@davet1736 a "New" Long Branch, Are ye a Canuck, then Davie? and pray tell. what year would that a' been? PS. When I was a kid, my dad drove me by the Long Branch arsenal shortly after WWII; we still have some black walnut LE buttstock blanks he got from there, with the ends coated in black tar.

[@freshfrozen3035]

It the UK?

[@jwatson15]

I have to admit that I love the Aesthetics of the SMLE. From the length, to the snub nose barrel.

[@matthewmoses4222]

To make life easy, get a late Lithgow (Australian) made No1 MkIII* with a Heavy (marked 'H" on the knox form) barrel, bedding issues are far less of an issue.

[@pajamalama2027]

i got one exactly like this, they dont run the spring at the nose cap or the barrel band screw

[@keithplymale2374]

I have a 1941 Lithgow I bought back in the early 1990's at a gun show. I followed along and mine looks right and tight. Been several years since I had it out shooting but always seemed to be strait shooter to me and every body else I let shoot it. Molon Labe! Keep your powder dry and your faith in God.

[@daltondixon7517]

today i bought a no. 1 mk 3* at a gun show for 150 and this video gave me an idea of what i need to replace, thank you!

[@614XJ]

Wtf!??

[@joshhasadeathwish]

you made it nearly 8 mins without a monty python reference, i'm impressed bloke!

[@brnatlas9611]

jorhh he’s not the messiah...

[@seanmanness1351]

Thank you! I've wanted an SMLE since I was a kid. Going to be 50, time to go shopping.

[@sullivanrachael]

I love the point about split groups; mine does this and I have never realised why. Think I’ll be having a look at the bedding tension setup. Thank you !!

[@545x39Rat]

My SMLE is a real Veteran bring back. The story starts in the beginning of the Israeli War of independence where it was used by a guy who was fighting for the independence of Israel. After the war he moved to the U.S.A fast forwards around 15 years ago he sold his rifle at a gun shop in Florida. The day after my uncle came in looking for his first rifle and ended up leaving with the SMLE. A year ago it was given to me for my birthday and now I shoot it whenever I’m out on the range.

[@dogguy8603]

Foxman2248 hatikvah

[@beefcakes27]

It's nice to have the history.

[@cw2gtc]

Foxman2248 That is an incredible historical documentation and even more so if documentation was included. If you are Jewish, or even not, but have an understanding of the overwhelming odds that were overcome to establish the State of Israel make your rifle more than a collectors item. To a Jewish military historian or rabbi your rifle takes on a significance as a sort of holy relic. Its symbolism to some is very rich. Carr for it well.👍🏼

[@chaimafaghet7343]

@@cw2gtc How holy was the bomb used on the King David Hotel? We haven't forgot, you know.

[@aldoraine3364]

I didn’t buy one. My uncle gave me his that he traded with a friend and it’s a No.5 Jungle Carbine made in 1945, all numbers matching

[@alexfritz4311]

You lucky duck. Its my favourite of the bunch.

[@marcuscook5145]

I really like the post war Ishaphore No. 1 Mk. III* as an actual shooter... They're usually in really nice condition and weren't hastily assembled in wartime conditions. Mine is immaculate and is what got me into collecting milsurp bolt guns.

[@anthonyhayes1267]

Great starting point for collecting. I started with an FN export mauser

[@robertspeicher5047]

I would love to find a Lithgow mk III. I remember early 90s of Lithgows being imported. Missed getting one

[@chrise6441]

😅😅

[@KowOneOhTwo]

I bought a 1912 Shtle from a Cabela's last year. Mistakenly shot Wolf steel case through it the first time I took it out. Only 1 or 2 of the rounds in the box of 20 fired upon trigger pull, some of the hard primers took four or five strikes. The rounds (174gr bt) turned completely sideways at 50yds, every time. Very wide group. PPU 174gr bt fired every time and still keyholed slightly, about a 3-4 inch group at 50yds. I reload with 150gr SP Hornady bullets in the PPU brass with the minimum Varget powder as detailed in a Hornady reloading manual. I use a Lee mallet loading kit, which only resizes the neck. These handloads allow me to put five rounds inside of one inch at 50yds.

[@yeahsteeeve]

This is a great channel. Wish I found it earlier seeing as how youtube is going to crack down big time on gun channels soon.

[@cocinerotravieso]

Very good to watch. I just picked up an SMLE from 1918 on GunBroker...which was a bit of a gamble since I couldn't actually handle it prior to purchasing.

[@will712]

I have been waiting for this video for ever !!!!! YYYYYYYYEEEEEESSSSSSSSS

[@darthvader4hire]

SMLE..my favorite allied rifle:)

[@michaela.ofthenorth4530]

Very Informative! Much more info than I have found in some fairly scholarly articles. Thanks for your efforts. I got my Number III - in the US MAIL, for $15 - in 1963! 1916 BSA overhaul at Ishapore Arsenal in 1942.

[@ggwscottie2]

Very helpful, I am going to an auction that has two for these and hopefully pick up a good one.

[@toxicicecreamtv2132]

Did you get one

[@sevenpointsixtwo9707]

Wish this channel did a little more of this style of content. Very useful.

[@sheriffgoose6259]

thank you for posting this very educational!

[@chris.3711]

I found a Lithgow circa 1945 all matching in immaculate condition. Glorious rifle.

[@rodiculous9464]

This is a relatively dry video but if you're watching it AFTER you bought the rifle it will keep you on the edge of your seat 🤣

[@bigredjeepyj3436]

Fantastic video with great information, as well as the No. 4!! I hope you're going to do more of these. I'd love to see a K98k next.

[@maxie706]

On my way to the orphanage in nepal everyday, a police sniper at the intersection used to always train his SMLE on me as I walked towards him. Scary at first, by the end I didn't really care that the police loved to point loaded weapons at me every day 😂

[@MrBioniclefan1]

Wait what?

[@loftsatsympaticodotc]

What kind of lunatics were those Nepal police then? That was certainly NEVER in any Commonwealth Lee-Enfield training book or book of common sense whatsoever.

[@sunjoythapa2801]

😂😂 I think they were teasing you. Well Nepal is not commonwealth country but it is still used in police of Nepal.

[@maxie706]

@@sunjoythapa2801 there was a lot of carelessness, armed police with fingers on triggers etc but I spoke to a few, always really nice people, just different state of mind.

[@themodernancient6073]

Just bought my first-a 1917 MKIII* that's been restocked beautifully. I'll be taking it out to shoot this spring. Anxious to see what it can do against the 1891, 1916, and 1943 Mausers!

[@williamsimmons152]

I bought a Mklll ( mfg. 1913) for $14.00 from SEARS. It was a few years ago. It was brand new and packed in cosmolene.

[@wolfpack4694]

I just purchased my first one today and felt better about the purchase because of your advice. Mine (1916 Enfield No 1 Mk III*) also has “NS” on the receiver. Does that mean Nickel Steel? Looks like an X lot low serial number as well. Looks great. Can’t wait to see how she shoots! PS love the dry humor. “All for naught. Ho hum”! 🤣

[@marialynngillen6677]

I have a mint 1942 No1 Mk111* HV stamped Lithgow...My favorite shooter, lots of nice comments at the gun range about my gun..Wish I could find more,I'd buy them..

[@zondazerda2230]

that's really a cool rifle, thx for the educational video.

[@tommygun6028]

Great review I just purchased one ....SMLe mk3 😎🤝👍

[@LordSoth707]

Thank you. Very informative video.

[@maxvauderk816]

Thank you very much for the education.

[@paulvenn4447]

Love my Smelly, plenty of em here in Straya (y)

[@That_NJ_guy]

Paul Venn send me one then. Lol.

[@jackpahi898]

Where to get one I can’t find them

[@zhukie]

Well it helps that we manufactured tens of thousands lol

[@dunxy]

Tens of thousands,more like hundreds of thousands if not millions! Was 500k made at Lithgow during ww2 alone! Ive tried to find exact numbers for Lithgow produced no1's but nothing that states total numbers, but the 500k figure however is well known so its at least that! Love my '40 Lithgow no1mk3*, not my most accurate or valuable rifle by a long shot, but i think it would be the last one i part with if i had to liquidate my personal arsenal.

[@LuckyJack]

Hi Mike, I've got what appears to be a very late rebuild of a No.1 Mk III*. The seller (a German collector) claimed, it had been built in the 1950's by the original factory (didn't know which one) for some third-party monarchy. However, the deal was never completed, thus all of these rifles (again: number unknown) went into the surplus market after a few decades in storage. Now, the nosecap of mine stands slightly proud ofer the muzzle. It also is a very tight fit over the barrel and seemingly doesn't allow any movement of the muzzle, whatsoever. When I take off the nosecap, hold the upper handguard in place by hand and manually push in the spring against the barrel, the barrel rests firmly against the upper handguard. Is this setup ok or does anything have to be altered? I recently test-fired the rifle with rather poor results. This may be due to a 090 front sight being in place. I had to slide up the elevation quite a bit in order to be able to hit the target. It is entirely possible that the resulting poor cheekweld didn't help matters. Stephen sent me a few front sights, of which I installed the 0-variant. Range is closed due to lockdown, though. Thus, I can't test-fire the rifle, at the moment.Thank you in advance for your advice!

[@hellhound3713]

Sounds like the no4 is a better option and easier for people new to enfields to check out.

[@scottieeasley4907]

I have the infield number 4 but the one I want is the SMLE for World War 1.. It's got the wood iconically goes to the barrel flat face is just really cool looking and it was the 1st detachable Box magazine rifle on the field with the fastest bolt action in the world

[@CharlieJulietSierra]

Man this was good!

[@jackspring7709]

I remember going to purchase one of these years ago - the seller proudly said - "It's a real smelly!" So I decided not to buy it - I can't have something smelly in my house.

[@MyBlackandRedCZ]

I just bought one a couple days ago. I really hope I don’t have any of these issues.

[@winterhorse290]

4 MOA ? If we understand the role of the combat rifle, it is designed to put a volume of fire in an area and hope that somebody on the other side get's in the way. Basically your squad acts like a long range shotgun. When your rifleman are picking out individual targets you are now sniping.

[@spanner999]

I'm not that clued up but I think that savage arm USA made the best smle variants, convert to a aftermarket resin monty carlo stock then you have a very capable rifle,

[@Jayhawkga]

I have a 1941 Lithgow taken apart right now. The numbers match everywhere except the magazine. I look forward to turning it into a good shooter. My gunsmith says it's safe to shoot but I need a longer bolt head like everyone else.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Don't worry about the bolt head... the SAAMI "no go" gauge is too short (0.071" instead of .074"). And in any case, the chambers are deliberately super-generous irrespective of a couple of thou on the rim. Just shoot it!

[@ronaldbertin9455]

I never see anyone post pictures of numbers underneath the bolt handle above the trigger. Sorry I saw your picture after reviewing again.

[@manjitsoni9676]

ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਲੱਗੀ ਇਹ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਵੀਰੇ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ

[@dickdozer6558]

Great video

[@614XJ]

The No.1 MK3s look 100x sexier with that front Cap, no protruding muzzle. It’s what I consider the best looking bolt gun out there. I need help finding a good example I can shoot and hunt with. Any info would be much appreciated where I can find some!

[@mattbiek]

Bloke!!! I wondered what happened to you, cheers!

[@TeamRetroWorld]

as someone who has rebuilt one of these. don't--just buy a nicer example.

[@BlokeontheRange]

The knowledge to set them up from scratch has pretty much gone. I second your motion there.

[@anthonyhayes1267]

There's a TLC lee Enfield in my local gun store and I really want to fix up the poor thing

[@capcadetNH]

How would one restore an smle to it's original configuration if all you can find is the sporterized

[@Dja05]

Great, I was looking to get one :3

[@hughhughp68]

It’s a nice Rifle,

[@danpos1971]

Great video. Enough said :)

[@ronaldbertin9455]

Mine has identical marks but stamped 1919 , 111x ,,, I believe smle

[@chzzyg2698]

Much better than the Pokiston guy.

[@Nicolidas]

Great ! Can you make the same video about m1903 please ?

[@hugoalbertocardenasvazquez3876]

awesome!

[@vercingetorixavernian8978]

SO cool!!!! I want this gun as my first gun...... Who wants to fuck around with plastic and carbon bullshit.... Wood Metal and British..... DONE!!!

[@Lisztomaniac1022]

Is the gun in this video an SMLE No. 1 MK III or No. 1 MK III*

[@bcabmac]

I'd love to see what the rules should be on buying a properly sporterized Lee Enfield, as far as stock configuration and modification flaws that would cause accuracy issues. Also, there are endless opinions on chamber tolerances. Some say a bullet must stick out a sixteenth to quarter inch as it engages the rifling. Others say the bullet can drop flush as long as there is no slop side to side in the chamber. And that extra tolerances were provided for during manufacturing to allow chambering of ammo in battlefield conditions, dirt, mud, water, extreme cold temperature. I know a chamber cast is the best method to check for blown out chamber and contact point of rifling. But anyone's thoughts on what is acceptable for a good shooter on these?? My buddies Enfield drops a bullet flush in the chamber, and you can't feel the bullet tip engagement of the rifling. But the rifling looks crisp all the way to the chamber. But when you measure the bore where it meets the chamber, it is slightly larger, again but it shows no wear of the rifling that you would expect. The gun shoots tight groups. So I no longer know what to believe with these guns. It seems the rules on these, are not as always the rules that apply. Any input and insight from experience appreciated. Thanks

[@theradbassman9030]

Not sure if my 1917 is original or not but all serial numbers match on the bolt, the rear sights, the nose cap, and the magazine.

[@DeimosPC]

then it's likely original.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

My dads smle was very accurat bought from sears in the late 50s already sporterized

[@williamsimmons152]

I did the same...cost $14.00. I sporterized it...Haven’t shot it for 50 years,, but it was dead nuts accurate at 100 yds back then.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@williamsimmons152 i have an number 1mark 4 but wish i had my dads gun

[@williamsimmons152]

@@wilmamcdermott3065 well ....if you were my daughter...but my son has it in a safe.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@williamsimmons152 u probably should know i use my wifes tablet lol my name is Dennis.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@williamsimmons152 my dad is 89 years old he did give me his 2nd rifle 300 win mag built by P O Ackley

[@kosieS]

Hi I just watched your episode. I have an old 303 Lee-metford like in your episode but it looks like the Lee-Enfield MK3. Do you know why that is? It was my great grandfather's rifle and he was in the boer war as I am south-african, ps I am from the line of general Joubert that started the Boer war. The rifle is registered as a Lee-metford. Could you shed light on this subject as it looks different to the ones in your show.

[@cjdangles]

More like this.

[@martincorbitt1979]

Yes , I would like to buy both of them?

[@davidfriesen9512]

Are you telling us that it all of the fore end wood is off of the rifle that the rifle won't be as accurate as it would be?

[@litoneup]

If you get a swedish or Argentine mauser no need for a inspection. The limeys were neurotic as far as the firearms went. The lee medford or mark 3 was just fine. The fake news on a so called wandering zero of the jungle carbine just takes the cake. A two piece stock came from to much old tea. Get a model 94 swedish Mauser and be content.

[@adamparris8353]

Are there any technical reasons why rounds like .303 british or 7.62x54mmR never updated to rimless, other than production change-related reasons?

[@DNchap1417]

Bloke, why is it that the No.4 mags are incompatible with its predecessors?

[@JetblackSn1per]

Great vid. Was deciding between a MKIII and a MKIV before I realized it was a loaded decision since I ended up getting both :D. Looking down the barrel (even through a screen) and the trigger fiddling at 12:55 definitely gave me anxiety though,

[@Lawgamer411]

I’m gonna guess that this video will disappear soon due to KZbins restrictions in videos detailing on buying guns. It doesn’t help that the title says Purchase and Rifle in the same sentence.

[@m1911legend]

Ratio

[@Lawgamer411]

@@m1911legend bro this aint twitter

[@m1911legend]

@@Lawgamer411 my brother in Christ Twitter isn't twitter anymore

[@robertspeicher5047]

I own one of each. The Mk III has a 1916 date. The number 4 has a 1943 date.

[@mokahless]

Been watching Bloke on the Range videos on his channel for a while. Became interested in purchasing an SMLE because the No. 4 is too expensive where I am. Googled what to look for when purchasing an SMLE First result is an article by a website I don't know. Starts playing a video produced by TFB whatever that is. It's the Bloke on the Range guy. Choked on my water. I therefore must conclude that this man *is* an SMLE.

[@coryschober8999]

Smle both number 3 mk1 and number 4 make

[@dungspreader]

I ought to point out that the use of aught in 30-06 is quite correct in that it is used, in this contex,t to refer to the first 9 years in a century . aught 3 [ 03] , aught 6 [ 06 ] for example . Aught is an old English word and not something that the Americans dreamed up all by themselves . This counts for naught in the great scheme of things of course , absolutely nought in fact , zero , zilch nada . Especially when confronting engrained British recalcitrance by Jove ! Oh dear , poor 06 !

[@zhukie]

But the three-oh will always be the three-oh :)

[@BlokeontheRange]

On the contrary. The Oxford English Dictionary says that "aught" for "zero" is American, with its origin probably in the early 19th century. Not Old English. Not English-English at all: en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/aught

[@ctripps1224]

Can you talk about the DP stamping

[@Zulutime44]

In America, we say "we ought to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and blank gunfire". Meanwhile we say "the 2nd war in Iraq started in Two Thousand Aught Three".

[@paullashmar6377]

Is it legal to buy a magazine for this rifle in the UK?

[@danielfreedom3504]

I'm looking for a Lee MK111 for long range killing.

[@danm7298]

I tested my 1915 LSA smle i just bought and i noticed my bolt head does "jump the track" in 1 spot right in the middle. Is this bad? I didnt pay alot for it and its all matching just in poor condition. i dont see it being that bad as the bolt only travels manually unlike a semi automatic rifle that operates itself. please let mw know what the jumping of the track could mean? maybe it makes it less accurate or possibly makes it unsafe to shoot. i dont care too much about accuracy as its 103 years old and i dont have the funds for museum quality pieces. or care to even shoot it that much or use it for sporting.

[@dp-sr1fd]

I think it should be spelt "Aught" six instead of "Ought" six. That would make more sense.

[@RipperYou]

You can't mount a pattern 1907 bayonet on the No. 4 so why even bother getting that?...

[@zhukie]

The no.4 is more strongly built and intrinsically a bit more accurate. But I take your point...you can't beat a sword bayonet can you lol

[@DeimosPC]

You're not wrong lmao

[@losonsrenoster]

Right, that bayonet somehow feels right in the hand as well. I had the bayonet long before I got the rifle to match. Too bad you cannot get all of that rifle plus bayonet in a decent photo.

[@nailbomb3006]

Didn’t have a SMLE!?! Just not proper for someone calling himself “bloke”...😉

[@scottbuckley6578]

What's the gun laws like in UK?

[@satyriasismaverick4475]

Mike reminds me of gavin

[@dogguy8603]

Just wondering if i buy one will i be contractually obligated to go cruch some roudy colonists, i dont mind i just want to know when i should take time off work

[@zhukie]

If by colonists you meant colonials, sorry but we made our own lol

[@madcowrebel4216]

Is that you bloke on the range?

[@ashleyhill5824]

I have a all matching numbers 1916 bsa no1 mark 3 it has a T.R stamped on the receiver under all the usual information any one know what this means ?

[@mikajlod25]

What if the stock on a milsurp is warped or twisted, does that mean that the rifle will always be a poor shooter? Is that the case on mausers, on Yugo m48?

[@fdsdh1]

yes Mausers touch the barrel towards the muzzle end, so warping lower down can cause problems. I think the only real way of testing it is to shoot it and see if it is consistent. However if the stock is warped I wouldn't buy it, unless you can shoot it first. Try before you buy is usually a good idea for anything if it is an option available to you.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Many Mausers have contact along the whole barrel, so even the slightest warp anywhere will likely affect it. During WW2 they relieved Kar98k stocks at the most critical points, but didn't go beyond that and didn't put any pre-tension in them (which is why, contrary to popular belief, they don't actually shoot that well on average. Source: the Germans' own accuracy figures). In any case, sometimes you come across rifles that by rights shouldn't shoot straight but do (and vice-versa). Always test before you fiddle!

[@lefr33man]

Bloke on the Range true, the most accurate bolt action rifle that I have is an ugly Ichevzk mosin from 1943. I'm still amazed at how well that thing shoots at 200 meters. Don't judge a book by its cover!

[@zhukie]

Very much so. Same goes for barrels; my no.4 has some pitting but is more accurate than other milsurps with clean shiny bores.

[@CK-ve2di]

@@lefr33man ⁵⁵/

[@everettknight8201]

My great grandfather had one it is complty striped to bolt barrel and butt stock where can i get parts

[@DeimosPC]

There's loads of places online that sell parts if you're in the US. Numerich, Liberty Tree Collectors, APEX, just look around. Even people on eBay sell parts

[@josephbuyck7127]

I a 303 that I used for hunting for 30 years or more I've had 270 3006 700 m but I all ways want back to my 303 I hunted moose with the 303 this is what is on the different parts of the rifle 63425 crown GR 1918 Sht L.E 3 star on metal band above the trigger on the barrel is W 303 2-22" 18-5 tons nitroproved 63425 on the part where the barrel screws on is w 63425 and what looks like a crown with a p underneath it there are some other marking on it I can't make out it could be writing in a different language can someone let me know what that all means

[@beefcakes27]

700+ likes for each dislike... Well done..!

[@martincorbitt1979]

Or trade you out of them?

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Iam thinking i wish i had it back

[@davy1458]

Are brits allowed to own these?

[@bigtrev9043]

Yes

[@willsullivan1507]

How much is ammo for an smle?

[@austingx8295]

Will sullivan just search up prices for 303. British

[@lunarpking]

Cheaper than 7.62x54r anymore actually.

[@joshburke4083]

Depends where you live. You can still find them but they cost more than .308 win in my country

[@zhukie]

Reload and its not only cheap but far more accurate than any factory round

[@johnwallace1729]

@@zhukie Sierra 174 match kings are the cats meow for enfields

[@retro5954]

Does anyone know where I could purchase an SMLE

[@wamidaljurani231]

How much it cost pls

[@alanw-g5050]

30 Zero6?

[@scottieeasley4907]

The SMLE was a STUD SON. STUD. FASTEST BOLT ACTION IN THE WORLD WITH THE 1st in class detachable box MAGAZINE

[@johnt.6044]

is this the same for ishapore 2a1 rifles

[@MinhVu-in9iz]

John T. The 2a1 is made to shoot 7.62 nato and they were made after 1950-1970 and ishapore used stronger metal to handle the higher pressure of 7.62 nato and diff mag. Otherwise they are about the same.