The Last Lee Enfield: the L42A1 Sniper

[@MrTrilbe]

The Lee Enfield No4 was still in use until last year by the Canadian Rangers in .303, ok it's a reserve unit but that's still 129 years of military issue.

[@owainrichards4372]

MrTrilbe if it works then why not just in case

[@john-paulsilke893]

Hmmm, I just made a comment similar to this but wasn’t sure it was currently in use. I know for sure in 2000 it was still in reserve use, but since the Rem 700 in .300 Win Mag isn’t significantly better except at insane ranges why bother changing?

[@dwightehowell8179]

In my opinion that computes given the geography, climate, and wildlife.

[@noobplebdeluxe4426]

@@sarchlalaith8836 I can't tell if you're adding to the joke, or you just didn't get that everyone was joking in the first place and deciding to just projectile vomit bullshit all over the comment section....

[@BandAid350z]

Sarch Lalaith is a troll. No real person of any intelligence refers to the US as Amerikkka. Go away troll.

[@ballagh]

The L42a1 is part of a wtf moment as a kid in the early 80's in Northern Ireland. On a school bus travelling from Lisnaskea towards Newtownbutler we passed a patrol of Royal Marines. The first 4 had a M16a1, a L1a1, and 2 GPMG's, while the second 4 had a Bren, a L42a1 and another 2 GPMG's. Not exactly a normal load out. Often wondered what the hell was going on there.

[@bruceinoz8002]

Just another "day at the office"? If they had been carrying something like the M72 (LAW) / SRAAW), it might have been a "special" day at the office: Ready for anything!

[@williampoynton7323]

Hi Ian, I have a very similar looking rife. It was in fact one of the civilian conversions you mentioned but in this case in Australia. It was my farther’s target competition rife. My dad was a W11 soldier and trained as a sniper. The amount of active service as a sniper was unspoken but his papers show he completed the sniper training with distinction and the notation “This soldier is an exceptional marksman”.

[@ajm2212]

Totally enjoyed firing this weapon during my career. There was also an L39 version with Parker Hale sights that I used for competitions. I was responsible for picking up the first 10 L96A1's from accuracy international in Pompey for the sniper course at CTCRM in 1985.

[@swapniljoshi6302]

A video on it dropped a couple of days ago Sir!!

[@Argyll9846]

I did my British Army training on the SLR back in 1964 in which year the new GPMG (general purpose machine gun) started coming into service - around February/March of that same year. My training, however, was still done on the NATO converted 7.62mm Bren gun. The .303 was long a legend in the British Army and I found your video extremely interesting and I was not surprised to know that the .303 was in (limited) service until the 1990's.

[@chriswarren1618]

Hi Ian. Great episode. I can confirm personally that the SLR (FAL), was not up to the accuracy/ergonomics, of the Lee Enfield. I got to shoot the SLR v Lee Enfield, in its early British introduction (cirrca 1967), as my Father was in charge of a Naval Gunnery range at 'Whale Island/HMS Excellent. Dad also used to compete regularly at Bisley and earned many medals for his competition shooting.

[@matthayward7889]

Chris Warren that’s awesome!

[@hunglikeahorse120]

I wish my dad was that cool. All mine does is drink vodka and watch Big Bang Theory.

[@john-paulsilke893]

We here in Canada still use it for training including DM and actual snipers. It’s been a while and I’m sure I’m getting this wrong but I recall a friend/fellow officer who was part of a team who traveled to several countries including Italy to try out rifles for replacement. Canada isn’t a big enough market I guess for a rifle trial that at best will net a 6,000 unit contract. We may still have some of these guns as front line although I’m sure the scope would be much newer.

[@51WCDodge]

Hey Chris, I was part of the last recruitment at HMS Ganges in 1971, We were trained on the L1A1 SLR, though our Gunnery Instructor told us the Andrew where quite happy with the No4 and didn't intend to change as there was plenty of ammunition. Except, they hadn't accounted for him and his colleagues, which would include your Dad! Throwing a thousnad rounds a month down range for thier own pleasure.

[@wubble666]

One slight change to that was when the Australian Army went through a process of refurbishing their L1A1 SLR. Lithgow did a bang up job and really tightened these rifles down. To the point that it became an informal policy in many battalions to make sure that those rifles were issued to diggers that had achieved their marksman's badge. There were actually pretty easy to pick out from the non refurbished as part of the process ment removing the buttstock and when it was reattached it was done with a brass plug instead of the standard black one.

[@yoitired]

Man the Brits never throw away their weapons, makes me wonder if the Enfields are made from recycled swords and maces

[@EuropeYear1917]

They probably are! P.S. Did you ever make those alien bastards pay for shooting down your ride?

[@yoitired]

I did, and made them buy me a new one too lol

[@EuropeYear1917]

That's what I like to hear, Duke! That's what I like to hear! (** hands Duke a Cuban Cigar **)

[@andmos1001]

It is cheaper to use proven weapons then to research an new one

[@gregedwards1087]

.........swords and maces, Martini-Henry .450 falling block rifles, Mk 1 Tanks, HMS Dreadnought, Pot Belly Stoves, old car chassis' and engine blocks,...............

[@matthayward7889]

Another rifle on my “would love to own” list! Thanks Ian 👍

[@jimbaritone6429]

Matt Hayward. I live in hope....LOL.

[@TechGaming45]

I know one that was going for a few grand.

[@campbellbrand8038]

Used by our sniper section at Goose Green to keep the anti aircraft gunners occupied as they were causing us problems using the Rheinmetal 20mm and Oerlikon 35mm anti aircraft guns in the “ground” role.

[@mrpirate3470]

Outstanding piece of kit. We used to have our platoon sniper hidden off to the side of falling plate shoots and 'help' with 400m+ targets :)

[@walterdenny8143]

Canada just this year replaced the Lee Enfield as the service rifle for the northern troops. Only reason was finding replacement parts was difficult so yeah certain models served a little longer eh lol.

[@herrskeletal3994]

Rangers are members on the CF.

[@tommasosalaorni8851]

what's the new rifle?

[@walterdenny8143]

@@tommasosalaorni8851 the Colt C19 Bolt action Rifle replaced it.

[@Bearsmith23]

Except for the fact that there's over 10-15000 unissued and wrapped Longbranch No4MkII's sitting in storage slowly being destroyed by our current government. There was a batch of 5000 that was just shipped to the smelter by Mr. Goodale from one of the Ranger Depots in Alberta or Saskatchewan

[@Tango4N]

Seriously? That should be enough to string him up. Ugh. Saskatchewan better throw him out next year.

[@slick_slicers]

We had a couple of these in my school armoury in Kent, England in the mid 80’s. We shot mostly No.4s, so these were a step up. We also had No. 8s and Brens and occasionally SLRs on loan from the army.

[@liammeech3702]

What kind of school was this?

[@slick_slicers]

@@liammeech3702 a state Grammar School. Now they just have air rifles 😩

[@jasonteeters9512]

Ian I'm really surprised you didn't bring up the falklands campaign and the use of an L42a1 To hold off a Argentinian destroyer for up to 7 hours and causing extensive damage to the bridge of said ship all done by a single British sniper armed with an L42A1

[@MoonrockLemonadeCowboys]

I know it's been 3 years but what??? one dude with a 7.62 against a destroyer??

[@jasonteeters9512]

@@MoonrockLemonadeCowboys Is 100% true

[@MoonrockLemonadeCowboys]

@@jasonteeters9512 Wow dude was crazy, I couldn't find any videos about it on KZbin but I'm gonna look into it more, sounds like a fun story to hear

[@petersattout3956]

@@MoonrockLemonadeCowboys Mark felton has a video on it on youtube. All of his videos on the falklands are really good also.

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

@@MoonrockLemonadeCowboys go to Mark Felton. Or just about any vid on the conflict. For some reason (40 years) there's a ton of interest.

[@mrjockt]

The competition version of this rifle, fitted with adjustable competition iron sights , was adopted by the British forces as the L39 and was regularly used at Bisley by all three services. The .303 Vickers MG was retained in service by the Royal Marines up until the late ‘60s.

[@workingguy-OU812]

An absolutely stunning example - all the history, all the markings, and the wear really make it interesting.

[@saintmobius5348]

Thank you for finally covering this Ian! My dad used this in Northern Ireland in the early to mid 70’s, it’s interesting to see what he used!

[@turbogerbil2935]

In 1969, Enfield manufactured 10,000 heavy 7.62mm barrels. The design was borrowed from a successful conversion of the P14 into a target rifle. Some of the barrels went to the military L42A1 programme, others into the L39A1 and "7.62 CONV" military target rifles, some into Enfield's own Envoy and Enforcer commercial rifles, and the rest sold into the civilian gun trade. Hence the majority of first-generation UK 7.62mm target rifles have either an Enfield or Parker Hale barrel. The L42A1 does not have an ejector screw, because it is replaced by an ejector tab on the rear left of the 7.62mm magazine. The positioning of this ejector tab is why "factory" 7.62mm conversion were re-milled to ensure tolerance on the underside of the boltway. This also why these Enfield 7.62mm magazines won't necessarily fit all .303" receivers or, if they are forced in, why that ejector tab gets sheared off by the bolt! The rifle in the auction looks like a civilian rebuild, judging by the fit and finish of the woodwork....

[@dougzack4565]

Thank you for clearing up the ejector question for me.

[@sticks5614]

Those 10,000 heavy barrels were used in the 7.62 LMG (BREN) conversions. That was always the problem with LMG's in that they were too accurate for a machine gun. There was no spread of fire. The GPMG's replaced the Bren as a section weapon for Infantry and the LMG's (Bren) were used in NI and by Armoured and Artillery units as section weapons and air defence.

[@TheSpreckley]

I am lucky enough to have one of the P14 Winchester Parker Hale target rifles in 7.62x51 / 308, the hammered barrel (of the L42A1 is unmistakable). A good accurate rifle, with a lot of history.

[@bruceinoz8002]

@@sticks5614 AAaaargghh! there's that LMG "too accurate" thing again. As a long-time user of such things and being armourer trained.I will happily state that it is IMPOSSIBLE to "improve" hit capability of a "spray and pray" weapon by fine adjustment of traverse and elevation. However, if your MG has a very small dispersion, it is a walk in the park to precisely redirect the beaten zone into a larger piece of scenery. Three to five rounds bursts; observe, adjust, rinse and repeat until the problem goes away. The "single-shot" feature on the Bren / L4 meant that it could be sighted, even "test" fired in "economy" mode. Then, when the "fun" setting was selected, you KNEW that at least the first round of subsequent bursts would go where aimed. Wildly swinging a loosely-mounted MG is the stuff of the Fantasy Factories of Film and TV.

[@jpowys1662]

Thanks Ian; my father was in the army during the transition from the no. 4 to the SLR and would go on to using the L42. He enjoyed this video.

[@EmperorJulesLStirling]

This is a good topic on why the Enfield L42A1 is the last Enfield rifle. Greetings from Belgium and Fiji. There was a Belgian troop who used the Enfield L42A1 during World War II

[@sorenlilienthal1368]

Hardly possible that ANYBODY used a 7.62 NATO rifle in WW2, sorry. TheBelgian troop probably used a .303 No.4T instead...

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

I have one of these in 7.62, for deer stalking and target in the UK. I've shot several other American rifles/calibres looking for something possibly better, none came anywhere near close.

[@MrPh30]

Swedish officer Sverker Ulving personally paid for his own sniper course in UK in early 80s. He reported the L42 was a good rifle, it shot small groups,but it had varied poi. On 300 meters he wrote he had to use the 700 meter setting. Both rifle and scope were showing its age. But i think it was scope. Ulving was one pf the persons that helped develop amd set up the chart for the evolvment of the next Swedish sniper rifle tests and the finalisation of what became the PSG 90.

[@AlanEvans789]

It wouldn't surprise me, in the 7.62×51 TR world in the early days the preference was for P14 or Mauser K98 conversions for shooting at ranges up to 600 yards. It was only once you got to 800 yards that the No4 conversions got really useful. As with the .303 before it, but in some cases it seems even more pronounced with those 7.62 conversions, the flexible action self compensated for ammunition variances. This made the No4 rifle the better gun for the long range stages of competitions. When I was shooting TR as a member of the RAF TRC in the early 90's many were still shooting a P14/K98 conversion at short range, and a No4 at long. I did this myself, with an issue L39 and a Fulton converted K98 that I bought. It was RAF TRC shooter Geoff Cox who was the first shooter to win the Queens Prize with a rifle that wasn't a military conversion, shooting a Swing. I shot that rifle a couple of times and it was vastly better than the conversions, but also about 3 times the price.

[@Thefishyveteran]

An L42A1 was used to disable an Argentine frigate at South Georgia in 82. Might be old but it worked 😬

[@sirderam1]

I owned the civilian target rifle version of this. It was known as the Enfield Envoy. The layout was generally very similar. A No. 4 Mk 1 action. Converted to 7.62 NATO, with a heavy (heavier than the one shown here, from memory) Bofors steel, free floating barrel. It was half stocked in beech wood but without the cheek riser, the stock itself came up higher than the standard Enfield stock and had more of a pistol grip. Sights were Parker Hale quarter minute click, aperture rear and hooded ring fore. It was a lovely rifle and shot every bit as well, in my opinion, as the various Mauser action target rifles that were in vogue in the '70s.

[@binko969]

Big heavy hammer forged barrel, a really sweet piece in .308. Love to have one. The few I’ve seen & handled have original WW2 optics that are clear as a bell as if manufactured yesterday which is remarkable. Love that #3 German reticle also. Not super for target/mark shooting but great for hunting & well sniping. Its all about what your into & comfortable with

[@bigbill74scots]

Having shot one of these in civilian competition don't ever doubt their accuracy. They embarrass a huge amount of modern guns, much to mine and others great amusement. Heavy, but feels like a weapon of war and not a starship troopers movie toy.

[@martinsailjocasta9399]

Fond memories of the L42....failed my first sniper carder (1982) albeit scoring MAX on the shooting bit! (in latter 'polite' life I feel I should have written to the producers praising for making such a fine effectal rifle.. if your still kickin Well done!) .. as you are probably aware the shootin bit ain't half of of the six week course!...passed 2nd course...sure was chuffed to have the crossed riffles S on my arm!...along with one other pal in my battalion..NB especially as the British Army does not dish out badges etc willy nilly (just got the one NI med)...MOD kindly supplied us with special 7.62 weighted load..cannot recall was it red spot or green spot?

[@minair99t]

Green spot

[@LorSTApunk07]

I own the other 7.62 Enfield , the Ishapore 2A. It’s fantastic!

[@johnsalt1157]

Interesting stuff, as ever -- I never realised these were converted to 7.62 NATO so late. Many years ago, as a member of Exeter UOTC, I had the privilege of firing one of these at an annual camp. The camp was being run for us by members of the Devon & Dorsets, a battalion just back from a successful tour of Northern Ireland. What counts as a "successful" tour? In their case, no dead friendlies, and they slotted two of the bad guys. As part of our familiarisation with various small-arms -- and I'm going to have to say that the GPMG was my favourite -- we got to fire a few rounds through an L42. This was a very great favour, as the weapon belonged to a member of the sniper section. It was his personal rifle, and he had used it to account for one of the bad guys on the recent tour. He would only allow match ammo to be fired through it, and, such was the absurd state British defence budgeting at the time, match ammo wasn't issued, it was private purchase. So we had to make it up to the man in beer afterwards, but that was no problem for anyone (and he was fun to talk to in the bar). He also, very reasonably, refused to let anyone bugger about with the zero on his rifle. Even without zeroing, though, I found the telescopic sight made the figure 11 targets loom so large (we were on a 300m range) that you would have had to be a very poor shot not to put shots consistently into the black. I'm surprised to learn it was only x3, things seemed to be much bigger, but then three times the linear dimensions is nine times the area. A lovely weapon that I remember fondly from my brief encounter with it. Also, perhaps oddly for a man of my age and weight, the nearest I have ever got to firing a .303 rifle; the only weapon I have ever fired in .303 is a Vickers MMG.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

I think the Brits got their money’s worth on these Enfields lol

[@andljoy]

Just beacuse somthings old does not mean you throw it away, hell you could edn up with an SA80 ..... i would honestly take an SMLE over that :D

[@SamTheManWhoCanTwice]

@@andljoy 'SA80' is one of the best rifles out there are the moment. upgrade, upgrade, upgrade.

[@muhammadnursyahmi9440]

@@SamTheManWhoCanTwice the egronomic are dreadful though

[@jonathandench9102]

@@muhammadnursyahmi9440 have you ever shot one, the ergonomics arnt bad

[@thomaseccles627]

@@jonathandench9102 Mostly, whenever anyone criticises the L85A2, they either have never used it, or have only used the A1 variant (which lets be honest, was trash). I've put thousands of rounds through the A2 in my time and only ever had one issue, and it was my own fault - I didn't let go of the cocking handle and caused a jam... In my mind there is only one reasonable criticism (when we consider that it's a military rifle), and that's its inability to be fired from the shoulder by lefties.

[@christophercripps7639]

Imagine the old "Luddite," old guard officers' reaction to the "L41" and "A1" designations. "What's all this El and Able-one bull? It's a bloody Mark Forty-two Star!"

[@mR_Craigpd]

In this trip down British Sniper Road I'd love to see an L96 if you could ever get your hands onto one :D

[@sqeeye3102]

Jeez, I was remarking on the 11.5 lb No 4 mk I... I bet the 12.5 lb Enfield shoots like a dream though. Thanks for another great video, Ian.

[@willg0opl]

The premise of this post is not correct. The MoD converted the No4 to the L42A1, chambered for 7.62mm (.308 Win). The NRA had nothing to do with the conversion, although they may have assisted with trials. As a life member of the NRA and a former user of this rifle in service I speak from personal experience. It was an MoD job. There were also target shooting variants, known as the L39A1. The design flaw that made the receiver more flexible that was desirable resulted in "positive" compensation for variying muzzle velocity, which meant that the No 4 and all its variants was extremely accurate out to at least 800 yards. The L96A1, by the way, as you say designed and built by Accuracy International, was the brainchild of multiple Olympic shooting medallist Malcolm Cooper.

[@ruge48]

excellent description, it shows thast bolt action are like Johnny Walker ..."still going strong..." thanks for your work

[@ZFlyingVLover]

I wish they would start making the lee enfield sporter again. What a sweet shooting and fun rifle

[@andljoy]

The lee enfield and the Bs1363 plug , two of the greatest designs in history.

[@cjm12646]

I came across a Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine in Anchorage Alaska in 1988 that had been converted to .308/7.62. I should have bought it because the price was right but at that time the Jungle carbine was famous for its "wandering zero", difficult to sight in I imagine. Tey had a pretty good kick to them as I recall.

[@TheTypeRTheory]

As always, fantastic use of "nomenclature."

[@duncanc2592]

Thank you very much for this video and for the earlier one on the No4 .303 version, but most of all for clarifying the difference between the NRA in the USA and the NRA in the UK, they are VERY different types of organisation and have no connection with or affiliation to the one another. I am in the process of having a mk3 scope fitted to a 7.62 converted No'4 Target Rifle that was originally owned by my father in the late 60's and 70's. One thing that you did not mention is that as a Target Rifle, the 7.62 version was renown for its accuracy, especially at longer distances such as 900 or 1000yds. Although obviously not as good as modern designs, it was considered to be competitive right into the 1980's and beyond, and was his (and my) 1st choice for use in the long distance elements of any competitions. This was despite the less rigid design (structurally) of the original action, certainly when compared to contemporary TR rifles of that era such as those made by Swing and Musgrave. The saddest part is that after the war, my father bought several dozen of the original Sniper versions of the Lee Enfield No4 rifles at army surplus sales, and stripped the scopes and mounting lugs off them for use as "Club Rifles" at a TR club he founded. Consequently he had numerous Mk1, 2 and 3 scopes (complete with their original metal carrying cases) stored in his damp UK garage which as a child, I was able to play with and dismantle for their lenses. All I have left of this collection is a bag of the mounting lugs, one metal case and two scopes... if only I had known their value all those years ago!

[@gregordavey1135]

Excellent- now how about looking at the L39A1 the target version of the L42A1 and the wider family of 7.62 Enfields which includes the police service Enfield Enforcer and the Enfield Envoy made for the civilian market

[@AlanEvans789]

Yes please, I shot an L39 for a number of years when in the RAF.

[@petercar96]

correction the last Enfield rifles were The Enforcer Police sniper rifle similar to the L42Aa and the Envoy target rifle both having a monte carlo rear stock and in 7.52 x51 production for the Enforcer was 750 and about half were destroyed when the were replaced, making it one of the rarest Enfield's. My example was issued to Shefield England in 1975

[@paulquinn1349]

Sniping in the British military gradually went out of favour from the Korean War onwards. However during the 'End of Empire' wars and counter insurgency operations, it was realised that snipers were very useful, especially in urban areas. There is a classic photo of Lance Corporal John Tilley, Royal Marines in the Crater area, Aden, June 1967. Sweat pouring off him as looks over the scope of his No.4 (T).. The Marines along with other British military units went on to convert to the L42 shown in the above video used it into the mid 90's in Northern Ireland, the Falklands War and The Gulf War.

[@Sevensixtytwo]

I think that oldest sniper rifles still used are FDF 7.62 tkiv 85. They use mosin-nagant action with finnish made all-other stuff. And cardrige is old 7.62x53r.

[@Sevensixtytwo]

oh. I was wrong. Scopes are not made in Finland. FDF uses Zeiss or S&B scopes in 7.62tkiv85

[@bleh8789]

Regular mosin is still in use as well

[@rkirschner7175]

Love to own one. Deer rifle is custom Arisaka 7.7. Stock,turned down bolt handle, shortened barrel, Williams peep,gold dot front. Dad had built 50's. Brought home from occupation of Japan. RIP Dad.❤🙏😪

[@badpossum440]

The Brits really like the L1A1 number , they put it on scopes ,rifles ,& i believe some cannon.

[@tomjones1967]

That’s the most awesome Enfield I’ve ever seen; thanks for sharing! If I had the $6400 I’d buy it.

[@alandavis9974]

I used to own both a No4 Lee Enfield made by BSA in 1943 and an Enfield Envoy. The Envoy was the civilian version with target peep sights. I took both to Bisley and got to fire the at 1000 yds. Most satisfying. What got me was the No4 did better than the Envoy, The Envoy had a heavy hammer forged barrel that showed the hammering on the outide of barrel.My friend could not believe it when they saw my score card. I had to sell both guns when I stopped shooting full bore.

[@MegaDaniel720]

Hey Ian have you seen that the NRA UK are doing a WW1 commemorative shoot on Nov 10th, will you be there?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I did not know - but I just emailed them to see if foreigners can participate!

[@MegaDaniel720]

When I was filling in the online form there was a option for foreign participants.

[@MegaDaniel720]

That's why i'll be there

[@nicholaspietrzak9992]

Hopefully someone posts a video of it. Wish I could go

[@51WCDodge]

They do let forigners in, the Welsh and Scots will be there! :-)

[@ludo9234]

The history in the stamped numbers really make this rifle interesting.

[@jaysorensen3912]

over 2000 No.4's were converted to 7.62 by the DCRA (Dominion of Canada Rifle Association) starting in early 1960's and were used in their marksmanship programs including i believe the 1967 Palma Match at Connaught ranges, Ottawa in which the Canadian Team won over the USA. Civilians who owned a No. 4 and were part of a provincial marksmanship association (ie BCRA, APRA, SPRA, MPRA, etc) could pay a small cost to have their rifles converted as well. Unfortunately with the introduction of handloads in the early 1970's allowed in competition shooters switched to more modern rifles in order to raise their scores and be competitive and the No 4 became obsolete fairly quickly.

[@Cutter_Number_30]

Hey Ian one interesting thing to note about these rifles: Some 50 were ordered around 2005 to be used in the middle east where sand caused problems in the L96. (Ian Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield", pg 264) Pretty cool.

[@bodge6886]

That’s the one I learned my skills on at the sniper school in Scotland.

[@YuTbCensorship]

I had the Rare Privilege of owning a L42A1 for several years. Ironically I was looking for a #4T when I came across the L42A1

[@samareaye]

One of the things that will always impress me is the scope mounting system. Mostly because of how engineers can make a rifle not designed with scopes in mind work with one. If you find an L8 rifle, a genuine one, I would love to see a video on that. Especially since there are many fakes out there that just slap a barrel on and forget the nuance of the rimless .308.

[@gruberstein]

I have a real jungle carbine I got 40 years ago with a well worn barrel that I put a scope on, a cheap $20 Russian scope with one click equals 2 inches at 100 yards. It also has headspace problems and stretches cases like crazy. Luckily I had a spare bolt that has better headspacing that I use with it. I reloaded super light loads that would hit almost a foot low at 100 yards compared to factory ammo, that would do 2 inch groups all day long. It was crazy accurate but just barely lobbed em in. Also even with those light loads it still bruised my shoulder after about 5 shots.

[@fastmongrel]

The Police marksman version of the L42 the Enfield enforcer was still in use until the early 2000s. Still see quite a few of the civilian version the Envoy and the occasional L39 which was the Army competion version.

[@petermacpherson7146]

U used to hunt with an Enfield, great rifle, 10 box mag and the nicest bolt I've ever worked.

[@MrBioniclefan1]

The ejector screw on the lee enfield was for live rounds not fired rounds.

[@abitofeverything2254]

Great review

[@rockywr]

Yes the Brens were replaced/converted to fire 7.62mm it was never called the Bren after that only the "L.M.G." non-infantry units would have these rather than the G.P.M.G. the LMG was still magazine fed and they still had the marking of "Bren" on the stock and other metallic areas --- this was from the early 1970's. The Magazine was changed to accomodate the 7.62mm cartridge rounds. I was amazed that as a cadet I trained on non-firing brens in the 60's and then joined the "modern Army" in 1971 to be given the same bloody weapon, however, that was pretty good for me as I could strip and assemble it in the dark hehe...

[@frankbs6436]

The LMG was still standard issue in TA infantry units in the early 80s. The concept returned with the LSW version of the SA80... a poor (if lighter) replacement.

[@BLACKWATCHRHC]

Sold for how much?! Oh you don't know how happy you just made me because I have one! Thanks!!!

[@keithdaniels5918]

I purchased one of those from Navy Arms back in the mid to late 80's for my shop. Came in a wooden box with a few extra's. Nice rifle. I think I paid $595 for it if memory serves. As a class 3 dealer it didn't hold my interest very long back then. Looking back I wish I would have kept it.

[@filmfreak988]

Well... uh... apparently the episode that was supposed to be "coming soon" already came. Fine by me!

[@chuckselvage3157]

The first rifle I ever fired was my grandfathers Lee Enfield Mark 3 made by Lithgow small arms in 1944 I was about 16.

[@gazbradster]

Another fine rifle, nice video pal

[@tsunamix0147]

Interestingly, the Brits and their allies still use this firearm despite the many advancements in rifles made over the last few decades. I’m from Bermuda, which is a self-governing overseas territory administered by the crown, and the island’s official military force, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, has the L42A1 in their arsenal. Even though it’s mostly used for target practice and military parades and performances, the RBR will absolutely use it if Bermuda is ever put in a dangerous situation, though probably as a last resort since their primary weapons of choice are the Mini-14 and a couple assault rifles.

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

Good video, good description.

[@tonyjones80]

Years ago at a state service rifle championship I met a bloke who had one - marked exp1!

[@jarink1]

That's a lot of serial numbers, equipment nomenclature, dates, and proof marks!

[@oc4074]

The orizzontale groove on the upper part of the handguard looks pretty crude and not always parallel. Are they sure that part is original?

[@ArtyTheta]

Maledetto T9!

[@AlanEvans789]

The L39 TR conversion used the same barrel and front end as part of the conversion, and the one I shot, and pretty much every other one I saw while I was serving in the RAF was of that standard of finish. The differences for the L39 was that they did not replace the magazine, since it only needed to be single shot. It was fitted with a set of Alfred J Parker, or Parker Hale, aperture target sights, of the type fitted to No4 rifles used for SRb competition prior to 1967. It also had a replacement foresight tube and ring to go with the aperture sight. Oh and of course no cheek riser. So shooting at 900 yards was very uncomfortable, the cheek weld was on the teeth line. Quite unpleasant at 1000 yards, you just made contact with the bottom of the jaw. Shooting at 1100 yards was a complete lottery, no head contact with the stock at all really.

[@gabrielroydes3218]

Did the accuracy standard for the L42A1 stay the same as that of the No.4 Mk.1 (T), or was the L42A1 held to a higher standard? I would assume with the heavy, free floating barrel and more modern cartridge that it would be more accurate, but I’m not sure.

[@andrewhowton1961]

Have you ever done a review of a DCRA (Dominion Of Canada Rifle Association) 7.62x51 Lee Enfield #4?

[@tingley428]

Look up Canadian Rangers. Kinda like reservists in Northern areas, they until very recently still used 303 Enfields

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

I NEEED IT! Enfield in 7.62 NATO! A Enfield in a modern caliber that is available without having to buy surplus or shady new ammo

[@timcollins1131]

My last Lee Enfield .303 was manufactured by BSA Lithgow NSW

[@TreacherousFennec]

It was funny to see this rifle in medal of honor allied assault, which was a ww2 game.

[@BloodDraco122]

I do believe there was a civilian model of the L42A1, the L39A1 which from what I understand last time I saw one on sale was for around £2000-2100 in mint condition, lovely rifle to shoot but expensive to run (Rifles in anything about .20 caliber are usually pretty expensive to shoot in the UK). An uncle of mine had it once but sold it in early 2000's because of lack of available Target ranges in the south of UK.

[@stevep5408]

How did Ian rack the bolt and not have it cock the firing pin? I have an ishphahore 2a1 in .308 and I can't figure out how he did that. Mine cocks on opening and can pull the trigger and manually drop firing pin but I didn't see him do that? Also why would you care how accurate the existing rifle was if you changed the barrel?

[@phillipdavies6548]

I don't know where he got his info but there were 7.62mm Enfields in use in the mid sixties

[@philballphotography]

I thought I saw where you or someone said these were used in the Falklands? is that right?

[@stamfordly6463]

The are pictures in at least one book on the Falklands (Max Hastings' I think) showing a Guards sniper equipped with an L42 tabbing up Mt.Tumbledown. If you google "British sniper Falklands" you'll also come up with a couple of interesting pics including one of Guards and Para snipers carrying a couple of poached geese and one of an Argentinian soldier carrying what looks very much like an L42.

[@AB-zz2yl]

That is correct they were used in the Falkands

[@horsebattery9243]

Also used by SAS in Oman in 1970s. A classic photo shows a sniper armed with one, with an M79 grenade launcher as his back up.

[@derekmcmanus1423]

Used in the Falklands but as casualties mounted snipers found themselves pushed into platoons to make up numbers a bolt action was inferior to an auto loader so they had a tendency to be thrown away. Also used in Northern Ireland

[@johnsalt1157]

What's your source for that? I strongly tend to doubt it. In the first place, the only battalion to foght more than one action in the Falklands was 2 Para. In the second place, I don't think Paras are daft enough to put snipers into ordinary rifleman slots.

[@manoftheroad55]

T stamp 9.47 mins does not appear genuine .. The T would have been stamped by Holland & Holland after conversion and quality control.. its font was unique and would have been applied with same diligence as the conversion to sniper rifle .. it Point size I believe would also have been greater... the "T" was \\\i think a design copyright font with legal control over its use .. perhaps this accounts why lower half is missing

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

No sniper/marksman version of the FAL? That is something the G3 actually managed to do with the PSG-1. Still both are good rifles for their intended purpose. And interesting that the .303 was so good. Not everything needs a big round, if the round is good. And nothing bad about things being WWII era design if it works. Mauser (as a subsidiary of Rheinmetall) still makes G98 to this day.

[@dezeekat]

Thank you GunJesus, very cool

[@mazkact]

Very special rifle. Check the civilian L39A1 and Envoy rifles . Somewhere floating around the interwebs is a photo of Princess Anne shooting Her L39A1. Now it seems that a certain Dutchess has ordered her Prince to give up hunting :(

[@duncandunn1930]

Had one in my gun club loverly weapon bought it Because I carried the weapon when was in army but changed for a tikka 65A

[@bofoenss8393]

Great video. How accurate were they? You talked about the accuracy requirements for the scoped No.4 rifles but what were these rifles capable of/required to do? By the way, the only other bolt action rifle I can think of with such a long service is the Enfield 1917 which the Danish arctic patrol (Sirius dog sled patrol) still uses as service weapon with no upgrades of any significance since their production during WW1.

[@bofoenss8393]

Thank you

[@paulagill6059]

that is a beautiful gun design

[@Volunteer-per-order_OSullivan]

Lee rifle family 1888 (Magazine Lee-Metford) - 1990 (L42A1).

[@rediius]

2015 if you count Canadian Rangers and the 1917 Enfield in 30-06 is still standard issue for the Danish Slædepatruljen Sirius (Dog Sled Patrol).

[@Volunteer-per-order_OSullivan]

rediius. eh no. The M1917 Enfield uses the Mauser system not the Lee system. The the Canadian rangers did uses the Lee-Enfield.

[@noahway13]

I have one. Mine looks like older version with the wood going up to front sight. In 308. Different mag look. No scope.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@farmerbrown84]

What happened to the L42A1 page on forgottenweapons.com? Although maybe I'm a bit early...

[@ForgottenWeapons]

It doesn't publish until tomorrow.

[@expio4257]

Considering the brits love of converting old weapons, I wonder if there was a rilfe that survived the entire evolutionary process from Lee-Metford all the way to L42. I know the odds of that are next to zero, but if it does exist it would be absolutely amazing.

[@shellcracker18]

I love my Mausers.Yet there is something special about a lee-enfield

[@ThZuao]

Did Ian ever covered a L96? I'd like to know more about the tacticoolest rifle of them all. Especially the why of a goddamn thumbhole stock.

[@herrskeletal3994]

It would certainly make the folding action stronger as you have two points instead of one.

[@craiglawrence5211]

Does anyone know where these /snipers were held within organisations when it was introduced?

[@Paleoman]

Do you know of a scope mount that is a bolt on, no tapping done, for the No 4 Mk2 Lee Enfield? I have heard there are modern reproduction scope mounts for these guns. My eyes are going south so iron sights are no longer usable. Awesome posts, keep up the great work.

[@eamonmcdermott4032]

Looks like a nice couple of Schofields in the glass cabinet behind you.

[@troy9477]

Nice. Ah, the good old days, when our cousins still had a gun culture. Did they use the 1945 optics all the way ro 1992, or did some (hopefully) get replaced? I ha e a standard No 4 Mk1, and it's a great rifle. I can see where it is accurate, although i haven't really shot groups on paper with it. As far as the L42, it looms well thought out. Free floating is obviously the way to go. However, i am surprised they didn't make the barrel about 4-6" shorter. 20-22" is long enough to full burn the powder in a 7.62. A shorter barrel tends to be more rigid, probably especially so with a heavy barrel (i assume they knew that back then, but maybe not). Sight radius is not an issue, since a scope is being used. And finally, 4-6" less of that heavy barrel would probably save 8-10 oz of weight, plus make the rifle shorter and more portable. But anyway, a good rifle. I have heard a lot of good things about the Ishapore and Lithgow rifles in 7.62 as well. Guess i better start tracking some down. Great video as always. Thank you

[@roberthardy3090]

Perhaps it something to do with barrel harmonics?

[@troy9477]

@@roberthardy3090 Maybe. That is as good a theory as any. I'm sure they tested several barrel lengths and settled on that one. On the other hand, it could be as simple as using the barrel blanks they had on hand, for economy of production. You never know. Generally speaking, a shorter thicker barrel is more rigid, especially with hammer forging. My Glop 30 shows evidence of that, with very good accuracy (3.8" barrel).

[@butcherpiper4698]

Wooooo what happend, a bug in the matrix man

[@trainsbangsandautomobiles824]

What you mean?

[@butcherpiper4698]

I Watched this video 2 days before it was published

[@missidominici]

Me in September 1st says you commented 3 days ago

[@liquidocelot5976]

Cadet forces were still using the No8 until recently