In the market for an Enfield

[bullpup44]

I'm in the market for an Enfied Mk 4 rifle. I've always liked the rifle and now I've got a little money to purchase one with. I'm curious as to where the best place to purchase one would be. Also, would I need to shoot surplus ammo through it? I know that some companies like S&B make ammo for it. I just didn't know if it would be able to handle newer ammunition.
Thanks.

[kf4zra]

aim surplus has #4mkI's for $89 right now.

dont worry about shooting the new ammo thru it, shoot the surplus stuff, its much cheaper. if you do decide to shoot the new stuff, that rifle will have no problem with it.

its one of the smoothest surplus bolt actions out there. also, for some reason, the micrometer sights seem to be more desirable.

ive got a #4mk1/2, and a #1mkIII(with a grenade launcher), both are fine rifles.

[bullpup44]

Thanks for the info. Have you ever dealt with Southern Ohio Guns? I only ask because my freind is set up with them and it would be much easier to order one from them. Also, will I need to have the rifle headspaced before I shoot it?

[kf4zra]

i havent dealt with sog personally. two shops i deal with refuse to do business with them due to various experiences with them. however, i have heard from people on lots of gun boards that have had good experiences with them.

if the serial numbers on the bolt match the receiver most likely you wont have any probs. if you are nervous bout shootin it, you can take it to a shop to have them headspace it, or it would probably cost the same to buy a go and no-go gauge online from midway, than it would cost to have a shop check it for ya.

[jonathon]

Who sells milsurp .303?

[Decguns]

I would avoid SOG (Southern Ohio Guns) and Century Arms. They typically over-state the condition of their surplus rifles. Also be careful, places like AIM sell Century Arms imported guns, so you'll do no better. Inter-Ordnance does a fairly good job of rating their mil-surps, but they seldom have Enfields. Of course, I've found spending the extra money for Excellent condition or hand-picked from Century is worth it.

As far as surplus ammo goes, there's no good surplus on the market. All you'll find is crappy Pakistani P.O.F. fodder loaded with cordite and some 50+ year old British scrounge ammo loose packed. There's a lot of new 303 ammo on the market from Sellier & Bellot, PMP, Prvi Partizan and Wolf(Prvi Partizan in different packaging).

[kf4zra]

the shop i work PT at sells milsurp 303 brit. Its stuff that was made in the UK in the 50's-60's. i believe its $30 for 100rds. it comes in 32 rd boxes, but we bag it in 100rd bags cause it sells better that way. if you want it in the boxes, you can it that way too.

http://www.floridaammotraders.com/

the site is a little out of date tho, but the contact info is still correcy.

[CaptMuttonChops]

I just received a US made Enfield from SOG today. It is in great condition, deep bluing, stock not dinged up, and came with the spike bayonet. They had them on sale for $155, so I went for the hand select. I'd buy another from them if I had the money.

[Rigormootis]

Hey Bullpup,

Over the last few months, I have picked up four No. 4 Enfields from SOG and one from AIM (as well as quite a few other things... ;) ). I paid for the "handpick" on all of them and then cleaned & refinished each one. Lately, I have been thinking of selling of one or two of my herd. I already sold off a really nice K-31 (still have 2 others I plan to keep) and I was about to put together an ad for one or two of my Enfields. Most likely it would be for one of my US Property Savage No.4 Mk1* Enfields. I have 3 in total (2 of the earlier ones and one later one) and I tend to like the stampings and wood on the earlier ones better. However, since I have 2 earlier ones, I was planning on selling one of them. If you take a look at the posted pictures of my K-31 (see ad here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=158929)) you can get a preview on how my refinishing turns out. I will probably find some time to take & post some pics of the Savage this week and I can send you them if you like before I post a for sale ad. FYI, most likely I would ask $200 shipped...which is a steal in my opinon since you would KNOW the exact condition of the rifle you're getting and I have already done all the work of cleeaning out the cosmoline, stripping the stock, refinishing it and touching up the metal. I see that SOG is running a "sale" on these right now...but I have to wonder why. If not for the post above mine, I would assume that the "nice ones" might be drying up... perhaps not. FWIW, When I got mine from them, they on sale for $169 + $10 handpick fee + about $10 shipping ($190 or so...see why I think $200 is more than fair? ;) ). Anyway, let me know if interested.

;c

[bbauman]

Got 2 of the AIM $89 shooters special No4Mk1's with micrometer sights a couple weeks ago. Still haven't cleaned them up but here is what they looked like out of the box.

http://bgszbauman.myip.org/bbauman/toys/enfield/no4mk1_a-right.jpg
http://bgszbauman.myip.org/bbauman/toys/enfield/No4Mk1_a-leftclose.jpg
http://bgszbauman.myip.org/bbauman/toys/enfield/No4Mk1_import.jpg
http://bgszbauman.myip.org/bbauman/toys/enfield/No4Mk1-b-right.jpg
http://bgszbauman.myip.org/bbauman/toys/enfield/No4Mk1_b-leftclose.jpg
http://bgszbauman.myip.org/bbauman/toys/enfield/No4Mk1_b-receiver.jpg

[Rigormootis]

Looks nice. I'd be interested in seeing how the bores are. I have heard mixed things about those...well, truthfully mostly bad things about the throat/muzzle erosion & pitting. I hope yours are an exception.

[bullpup44]

Rigormootis,
I need to talk to my wife and see what are funds are like. I'm a teacher so I don't make a whole lot. ;g That's kinda why I was looking at AIM or SOG. However I would really like one in good shape and it looks like you do some good work. If you could send me a pic that would be great. And you were thinking $200 shipped, right? It definately sounds resonable to me.
Thanks.

[Rigormootis]

Thanks bullpup44.
My wife is an elementary teacher, so I know how that goes. :) this past Wednesday I talked to a local guy about this rifle as well - he is supposed to be getting back with me soon about buying it. I'll still try to get some pictures up for you this weekend and I'll let you know what happens on this end. For this particular Enfield, I haven't even touched the metal as it's original finish was so noice. I did refinish the stock with BLO and it turned out great (and it even has one of the harder-to-find (unbroken that is) grooved handguards. If you can send me a PM w/ an email address that can eceept some moderatly large picture attachments (like a hotmail acct), I will send them directly to you.
Take care.
- C

[bullpup44]

My address is weers44@hotmail.com. My wife is also a teacher, so I guess we both have good taste.;)
Even if you do get it sold I would definately still like to see the pics.
Thanks again.

[Rigormootis]

Yep, sounds good. I'll keep you posted this weekend.
;c

[Rigormootis]

I sent you some pics last night - let me know what you think of them.
Take care.
- C

[p01ic3m4n]

use caution with the older mil-surp stuff. i was shooting some surplus ammo and it was like a flint lock. i'd pull the trigger, hear the click, and wait up to two seconds before the round would go off. some didn't go off until i recocked and shot again, but you just never knew when the round was going to go off.

[bullpup44]

Rigormootis,
Did you get my e-mail last night. Just checking?
Thanks

[Rigormootis]

Yes Sir. I replied last night as soon as I read it. I'll send you a PM with the email content.
- C

[Mnukedude]

What is the major difference between the MK2 and MK4 models? I know little about Enfields, but have been playing with the idea of buying one.