Sporterized Enfield No4 Mk1 

i always compared sportified rifles as retired soldiers civilian in appearance but still military at its core

Shot like someone who is used to a Mauser system. The Enfield has such a short pull back action that you can retain the sight and reload a round without taking it off you shoulder.

Bought one years ago and always left it as a novelty in the safe. My dad, Vietnam era vet, always took it when we went shooting. The old man always outshot my brother and I with it. Found out today after his passing that he was expert rifle in the Army with M14. Makes the gun that much more valuable to me now. Enjoyed the video.

On most No.4's the stocking up was done in a particular way, the nose-cap provides roughly 4lbs of down pressure on the muzzle, this can be checked with a press of your thumb, reject the ones where the barrel wanders to the side when pressed, lopping the forend off will reduce its accuracy which may be more noticeable as the barrel heats up, it still may be good enough at shorter ranges or if you dont fire a lot of rounds in a single session but unlikely to get the sub 2MOA performance on an un chopped fairly good one, dont forget there was a reason why us Brits were still using .303 No.4T as a sniper rifle in 1970 until it was replaced by the L42 which was just a thicker barrelled 7.62mm version of the no.4 MK1T

I wanted to watch a video specifically of a sporterized Lee Enfield and I was very happy to watch yours. I like the looks of a sporterized Lee Enfield better than with all the wood on it. The only thing that I would put on is a cone shaped flash hider. Thanks for doing the video. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

My Dad owns this same rifle and it's been sporterized in a similar fashion. He brought it in the early 1970's for hunting wild pigs as these rifles were cheap and plentiful as army surplus at the time. We live in New Zealand.

I acquired a 1943 No4 mk1 sporterized rifle from my uncle recently. You’re video was very helpful on identifying it.

I have my Uncles Sporter. It is a sturdy SOB and loves to be used. Love it!

Just got this video in my morning feed again. Your's is quite similar to my experiences. Mine is a LB No4 Mk1*. Back in the mid-80s (obviously pre-9/11 & pre-Justin "Castro"), my uncle from Saskatchewan brought this one "accidentally" across the border. "Conviently," he left it behind in the States, mysteriously returning home with my dad's Marlin M336/.30-30 instead. The only difference between ours is my uncle dispensed with that mischievous barrel band completely and installed a forward sling swivel under the wood, and thankfully, he left an original rear sight in place. I believe that if you replace that Williams rear with (preferably) a No5 Jungle Carbine rear, your groups will be more predictable. I "somewhat" bedded the stock with a short piece of corrugated cardboard soaked in boiled linseed oil, and that most certainly helped tighten my groups. I guess those slightly high groupings are a thing, as Speer 180 grainers over A4064 do the same....but now corrected to hit the sweet spot. Dad and Uncle Don are both gone more than a decade now, but this rifle brings me back to awesome memories of their corny jokes and venison steaks grilled on the homemade 55 gallon 1/2 drum and mom's sweetened sun tea. Thank you for this.

Excellent and informative video. I inherited a sporterized Enfield No 4 Mk1 with the Mk II flip sight just like this from my pops. Very fun and accurate gun to go out into the desert and shoot targets with for this city boy. Btw, I think the streamlined sporterized version looks a lot nicer than the bulkier original version, for what it is, which is a recreational gun not combat weapon.

sir it is a thing of beauty to me, looks great! i love the sporterized rear sight. great video!!

Beautiful rifles I've owned several over the years!

I have had one like yours for over 40 years. The front stock is more tapered. I took off the peep sight and installed a William's rear similar to what you have. I filed off the posts that held the peep sight and reblued the rifle. Shortened the barrel to 22.5 inches. Recently I put a ramped fiber optic front sight on it. Over the years I have taken deer , moose and yotes with it. Love the rifle would never think of ever selling it. Sporterized .303"s are for hunting and full military configuration are for collectors. If there were no sporterized the full military configured ones would not be nearly as valuable because there would be still millions of them around.

I think this has been your best video yet keep up that good work.

I like your video! I have a 1944 Number 4 Mk 2 that also have been Sporterized and I like it. I still have the stock sights on it and shoots well. But you are correct with the different grain bullets and how they shoot

my fav rifles for moose hunting just the classic aspect of it well i actualy use my mk3 for walking in the woods .my mk1 for my tree stand longer range at my block of salt about 150 yards

I just picked up a a Golden State Arms 1941 Supreme rifle. It’s a beautiful conversion of an Lee Enfield.

I love nicely done sporter military rifles. Excellent rifle that you can be proud to pass down to your children

I have one I love it better than a very expensive mark 5 .it doesn't live in my gun safe it for shooting😊

Hi buddy Very nice video If you pause your video at the first markings and reverse it, you’ll see that the letters mark « England » which is where the gun was manufactured The following numbers 1942 is the year it was made, she 10731 is the serial numbers. Not sure about the stamps above the year though Thanks for your videos!

I sporterized mine and scoped it, its a 1917 mark 4 shoots great

The rear sight has moved forward. The wood that stabilizes the barrel has been removed. So the barrel might twist and your shots drift when then the barrel gets hot.

I realise this is an old video but I found it because I am currently searching for sporterised Lee enfeild info. I already have a 1942 lithgow smle no1 mk3* with matching numbers. The only modifications I can see with it that a previous owner polished the barrel band and applied a shiny finish to the timber. This isn't the reason I'm looking for sporter info though. Several years ago, I acquired a 1942 lithgow no1 mk3* (in very used condition) that had the original forend cut down, cheek piece and pistol grip added and a .25 cal barrel fitted. As I'm australian, I came up with the idea of building an Aussie version of the custom rifles built from Springfield actions after the war. My rifle was already fitted with scope mounts so I have removed the original sights as well as sanded and refinished the stock. I am currently working on stripping and reblueing the barrel and action as well as sourcing parts before reassembling it. I am still chasing European style sling swivels and options for grip caps. I'm actually thinking of manufacturing my own grip cap with a 1942 australian florin inletted into it. Love the video.

Like you my first Mil Spec, is an Enfield LongBranch sporterized, Over the years I have looked to 1) restoring to do that, it would cost me more than the rifle`s end value the original stock or even aftermarket oem specs, to much cost for my liking, 2) Thoughts of completing sporterization with Monte Carlo style stock, optics still in the hundreds of dollar range, I figure if I can hit and know where to hold for optimum placement of shots Well they still be going up against a nightmare, hey thats me.....I like it for what it can do, I brought it because I could afford it.

My best buddy came down with brain cancer and asked me to get my gun license to own it so i did that right away it is a P14 sporter in 303 and its a great rifle and hold it dear to me

Growing up in Canada basically every hunter had a chopped Enfield for deer hunting. It's all about weight

Smooth bolt and great ergonomics. Try shooting while keeping it on your shoulder👍🏻

I do think that sighting that old girl would be easier if you reinstall a peep sight and ditch that William's aluminum sight.

Fortunately, your rifle could be restored to its issue condition. The Williams open sight can be removed and its mounting holes would not be visible under the issue handguard. The original battle sights are available. The proof marks on the muzzle are from pressure testing firing. ENGLAND is a common pre-1968 import marking. 1942 is the date it was made. 10731 is the serial number. Even if you want to leave it as is, I'd recommend picking up the correct missing items when possible.

I have two #3 Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield (SMLE or smelly) rifles in original (used) condition and one of the #5 1/2 rifles. They are not the most elegant of rifles, but beauty is as beauty does and the basic Lee-Enfield rifle is gorgeous. They work. One has to try to keep them from working. The .303 British cartridge is suitable for all North American game save some of the large, dangerous bears. And I understand, it has served for such ursines at need. The #5 I have is already 'molested' so I'm working on making it a suitable 'sporterized' example. I agree. They are far more useful than their appearance might suggest. And being the pedant I am, since the article in question is of British origin, the device you called a 'stripper' clip is properly a 'charger' clip. One does not 'load' the magazine, one 'charges' the magazine. (sniff, sniff) Your target: Top dead center was a double. In all modesty, I've been there, done that, have the shirt and the commemorative mug. By the way, properly operating the SMLE requires not moving the rifle from the shoulder when operating the bolt. Taught for combat, but what the heck. The rifle is NOT a 1000 yard bench rest contender, but will obviously hit the 'target' area of a game animal IF the shooter does his or her part. No need for a .25 inch group is that is not required. (Deer have an eight inch aiming place.) Range: I'm going to be pedantic again. For targets, get large squares of paper or a roll of 'butcher' paper. Cut off large (like three or four feet) pieces and mark them with a large aiming point. Six inch diameter bulls rather than two inches. Aim at center of aiming point (as best as able). Do this for 50, 100 yards and continue as far as possible. Always aim for center. Look at all targets at once and that will show the bullet rise and drop (trajectory). Then you can decide where to sight in the rifle AND ammunition combination.

Anyone know where i can get a magazine for this puppy, recently just bought this off of a family member and they never had a mag with it

I have a complete version of this that is sporterized with the original 303 British rounds in the magazine

A nice interesting rifle. Loads of fun. It would be better to see you close that bolt with the rifle horizontal, NOT with the barrel pointed towards the sky! It cocks on close and if for any reason that bolt system failed and the pin flew forward......😕

I love it

The sporterization looks to have been done correctly. Yet, I just could never sporterize any of these vintage bolt-action military rifles.

Never knew where my uncles 303 came from just that it was a short wood grip and was chambered for .303 now I know lol

I was just wondering is that would be a good moose gun or not strong enuf and great video

Mine is my Grandfathers 1912. Iron sights it still putting meat in the freezer.

Beatiful 👍🏼💯💯

Mine still has the original sites on it

Mine is a 1917 still has the wood on top by sites

Nice very nice is Rifle gun

Hi there, just noticed that your magazine is from no1 rifle not no4. Do you have any trouble feeding with this magazine?

I was able to get this exact rifle from a family friend for $100 today. Do you happen to know about how much these run for now a days? Ive tried looking online and cant seem to get anything up to date. Thanks for your help!

Hey..! Ya gotta shoot 10 shots. Its san Enfield, after all. Mad minute , and all that.

These rifles have dropped more big game from long distance here in Canada than any other firearm PERIOD.

My dad just gave me his Sporterized enfield. A guy rebuilt it, and crome plated all the metal on it. Haven’t shot it yet. But I’ve heard good things.

I have 1919 mark 3 sport it been to africa.england Australia

Does anyone know if a Santa Fe Mountianeer is a number 4 mark 1? Similar to the one in video...

Hi, Just bought one off GB for under $300. Same as yours looks. Can you manually push each round into the magazine without a clip?

I watched an Assie shoot 38 rounds in one minute at 800 yards and hit each time.

What did you do to my boy!?

I have shot a 410 ,20,16,12 gauge shotguns and still remember how much recoil kick they had .out of all of these which one would you compare recoil as the same as the 303 ? Would appreciate an answer I also subscribe to you and I have put a sportered model 4 mk1 on layaway at the pawn shop near me after watching this video .does $195 sound fair for this gun that's what they asked for it . And also does anyone still have surplus ammo available in a can for these? Love your stuff you and hickcock 45 have the best channels. I can't wait to pay mine off and try it out I was wondering about how's it kick .thank you .😇

I looking at one with a scope on it,

Smokers like it. After a few shots, they can light a cigarette with the barrel. Yeah.

I’m trying to figure out how to revert mine back I wanted it for the look not for use

What would the cost be to get one of these cut down (Sporterized)

I have a sportified 303 Enfield I picked it up in 1983 I absolutely love it. I live in South Dakota and hunted with it for years. Mine is nicer than this one and is complete with the adjustable sight.

Gives me Rust vibes

I feel the need to scoop out my eyeballs with a hot spoon. Vandalism of military history. I still hope it serves you well but it does make me sad.

Yeah I have a sporter no4 I have thought of restoring to original. For the money I could just buy one. I’ll probably just keep the ugly ol girl the way I bought it. Bluing is all ugly and beat up, stock is ok but not fantastic, but damn it is a better shot than I am. It’s like a laser.

Some of the marks look like serial numbers and year made 1942 the rest looks almost hebrew or some similar written language, was probably used by used by british colonial soldiers

Aaaaa! Oh what a bubba job! At least the barrel is not cut and still has the bayonet lugs. Get that awful Williams sight off of there and get yourself a Mk1 milled sight. That will be your first step in restoring that British No4 back to the way it's supposed to be. Have you checked the headspace? What bolt head number does it have?

Found one in a storage locker I bought, last owner removed wood stocks and replaced them with more modern look, I have a million questions someone with more knowledge pls get back to me

At the very least, when one of these is destroyed like this, all of mine go up in value. Bubba is making me a rich man.

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Seriously.... What is the purpose of "sporterizing" a rifle....

Men were stronger back in those days not weak like today.= It's heavy my arm hurts- it's hot I need a break.

Fudd no, stop, please, I beg of you

I made a better one