The Best No4 Lee Enfield 

This is perhaps the most Canadian video I have ever seen. Just a pleasant man getting up early in the morning to hike up to a snowy mountain and shoot a 303 all day.

I’m an Australian with a 1950 Longbranch. Beautiful rifle.

How Canadian is this - shooting in the snow and cold with a Lee-Enfield. My Dad had one when I was a kid, shot a few deer with it, so there's warm spot in my heart for these.

The No. 4, Mark 2 was a beautiful weapon and I loved it. Now in my seventies I’d struggle with the weight but like the Webley service revolver I have fund memories.

It is really nice to see no4s in such great condition and well cared for. I have a heavily used 1941 no4 mk1 made at Maltby and it is fun to shoot. However the bore is past the prime so not as accurate anymore, also the bolt sounds like your Savage made rifle but as you said these were made under pressure of wartime manufacturing.

The No.4 series has been and probably always will be my favourite rifles of all time.

Nice video! I’m not basically an Enfield guy but I do have a couple of these that you demonstrate here (1955 Irish contract and the Savage). Your video has inspired me to take them out for “a spin”! Thanks again.

Thank you for the nice informative video, and very clear explanation. Just started my journey with no 4 enfield . I live in Burnaby , BC . Just got my second no4 , Long Branch 1944.

Your videos are highly entertaining and informative. I took my Longbranch 1943 No.4 Mk1* out today. Great rifle. I love it. I will be taking it deer hunting in a couple of weeks.

I've said it before and I'll keep telling anyone who will listen: If you love Enfields, you'll love "Riflechair" Fantastic videos packed with more information than my gray matter can retain. Thanks so much for sharing your passion. BTW, it's now March 2017, any Enfields left with the Canadian Rangers or have they now completed the switch? I do hope that those Rangers will get the first choice if they want to keep their Enfields.

I have a Savage and a Long Branch and I can definitely attest to the Long Branch being a superior build. The Savage works just fine, but the LB's action is buttery smooth. The Savage just isn't so much. It works fine in operation, but if you work them back to back, you can really feel the difference.

G'Day from Astralia, I have a Savage No 4 purchased nearly 40 years ago as a barreled action only. The barrel was an ugly 2 groove that had suffered badly over its life time, so being one to think outside the circle I rebarreled with a .308 bore chambered for the .303 case( I reload for all my rifles and at that time the .311 projectile available were rubbish. AS I said this was 40 years go and it is still my goto hunt gun (PIGS)

Awesome video .... i live just outside Liverpool, UK and just down the road from where the Royal Ordinance Factory in Fazakerley was situated, all gone now sadly.

Great video! Much respect from "south of the boarder." Cheers.

Thanks for your videos here. As a Canuck you just know I was drooling over that Longbranch number. Now in BC but when I was younger I used to get into Mimico/Longbranch a fair bit as a trucker working out of Clarkson. If only I had realized back then the value (not $$$) of one of these rifles I'd have one now. Not to complain though, at least I have one, Fazakerley and definitely in need of a good bedding job. Ya know? The longer I own it, the more I like it. I've owned a couple of M1 Garands, a couple of K98's, an Ag/m 42 Ljungman, Couple of SMLE Mk.3 but after the big clean out a few years back my No.4 Mk.1 was the keeper, poor bedding be damned. Just love the bolt placement, the fit to my hand, sights and flawless feeding. Perhaps some of my love for it is because it's what my Dad took to England in '39 then into Italy in '43. There are a lot of nice rifles in the world but we all have our favs and this is mine. Cheers.

I have a No4 mk2 of the irish contract! Exactly the same as yours. Great gun and very accurate.

Always thought the no4 would be my fave. But the no1 mk3 always seems to be in my hands... I did take a cheap savage sporter with a neutered bayonet lug and put it back in full dress and add an addley precision mount and an old redfield 4x.. wish my range had a gong further than 225. But it sure is fun. Gives you appreciation of guys hitting out to 500+. 225 on a 12 inch gong ain't as simple as you think if the wind is up.

I have one of these Fazakerly MkII's. I'm not gonna pull it out of the safe, but as I recall it was built in 1955, so very late. Bought it in about 1995. Unwrapping it felt like an archeological undertaking. It shoots well and is one of my most accurate milsurps.

I have just bought a Lee Enfield 1955, Mk4 #2, from Liverpool. It was rebarrelled with 5 groves and I have a PHC5 target sight set at 600. Great video.

I always love watching your video's...The Long Branch you're shooting in this vid, I presume it's a two groove barrel?I have one of the post war Italian re-arm #4 mk1* 1943 LB rifles, Italian export proof marked CM (2014 if I remember correctly). Keep up the good work!

Nice shooting, textbook stable position! Fired the no4mk2 with the Irish Reserves till 1989/90 when we changed over to the FN FAL, while it was nice to finally get to use a modern(ish) rifle, the ramp rear sights couldnt compare to the fine sights on the Enfield. The elder disciples of rifle marksmanship never warmed to it :-) We fired some fine beechwood ones from storage just before they were withdrawn and exported to Canada. Best wishes, enjoy

Good practical demo in kneeling position. Quick action a very efficient use of rifle. Good description well made.

I am really enjoying your channel. Thanks for the work.

Enjoyed this post, thank you, Greetings to our Canadian cousins from the UK. :-)

I have a spotless and very accurate no4 mk2 (f). Love it!

I am a .303 fan from Connecticut. I have a no. 4 mk. 2 identical to your and love it. My favorite of the 4 Enfields I own.

Great Enfield video , Regards from the uk and my 53 fazakerly no4 mk2.

I appreciate your video, but the powers that be at the time deemed my savage worthy going through Holland & Holland for sniper configuration. Next time if time and weather allows you should do some groupings between the three. Excellent video and beautiful guns

that Irish contract SMLE is beautiful, I own and have owned a few Long Branch models and I was never disappointed.

I got a hold of a sporterised savage that I built back up with some original wood (barrel wasn't cut), This one had been refurbished by the Brits, they changed the barrel so it no longer has its 2 groove, and tried to buff out the savage markings. Only issue is I changed the back sight out like you did, but I didn't have a longer front sight so she shoots a bit high. Still shoots nice though.

I saw a local cop in Assam, India in 2013 with a MKI. Still going strong! Excellent video. Thanks.

Great video!! I got my cross rifles and crown with an LB No.4

I appreciate sentimentality over science , being habitually guilty of it myself! :) Patriotism is also splendid stuff, especially the gentle and friendly Canadian version. That said, and respectfully, the well- worn Long Branch is not a better rifle than a brand new No 4 Mk2. Nor was it when it was new. The final incarnation of the L-E family was its best, with improvements for accuracy that were the culmination of all the experience the previous Mks had imparted. As a LE collector myself, who was fortunate enough to be buying many of my LE s when you could pick them up in great nick ( in the US) for a close either side of $100, I want to thank and compliment you for your excellent videos. I am reinspired- Think I have to head to the range now!... (Going to take the old 1913 BSA I have had for thirty two years- not because its the most accurate one I have, but because I love it best!)

Riflechair, really enjoy your videos, very informative. Looking for a Long Branch No 4 Mk1/3 or England built No 4 Mk2, were both of these made with 5 groove barrels? Thanks for the info.

Really enjoyed your video and your appreciation for the Enfield. I love my Mauser's but if I was walking into battle with a bolt action rifle, give me an Enfield, ten rounds, faster rate of fire, shorter smoother bolt, and detachable magazine, even though it was not often used that way. I have three Enfields. 1954 No.4 Faz Irish Contract that was issued but is very very good condition. 1945 BSA No.5 Descent shape 1914 No.1 Lithgow a rearseneled beuty. How do you feel Lithgow quality was? I know that apparently never switched to the No.4. Just wondered.

Thanks for the great video. I bought a "irish" No4 Mk 2 from a co worker not knowing anything about Lee Enfield rifles. What a treat. Thank you for sharing the background and history of the blond No4. I learned much. Would it be possible to scope the weapon without drill/tap modification?

Thanks to your beautiful videos I am recently buying an Enfield n4 Mk I * canadian long branch (1942). I am also buying a N.32 Mk III scope to assemble and wooden cheek rest.

I've always heard the same regarding the rugged function and speed. I have a question regarding the bedding; I have also heard the bedding system to be problematic and detrimental to accuracy, and some of this was attributed to the separate butstock. Is there any difference between SMLE models and bedding? I have wanted one, but was somewhere deterred by the caliber. The Ishipore, lower quality version is in a more desirable caliber...therefore I never bought one. What do you say?

I live them all about equally. There is indeed something special about a Long Branch. However my favorite one is the No.4 Mk. 2. Mine is a 1954 ROF (F) and is early in the Irish Contract series. Like yours it's just brand new. And it's real tack driver. I have had several 1 MOA groups with it though the average is probably closer to 1.5. Just an amazing rifle. And so pretty too!

Glad to find your site. Great video I have a mk2.

Great video, easily one of your best!!

Next time I am I Western, MA, I will have a little talk with the folks at Savage about quality control. I have a #4 from Fazerkly ww!2 vintage. Loved the video. Fantastic rifle. 303 in FMJ bit pricy here

Great video (and shooting technique) but I was surprised to hear your comments on the Savage. I have several Mk4's and the Savage is by far the best made, has the smoothest action and is the most accurate of the bunch. it also has the least throat erosion of all. I guess it just comes down to how much the guy on the shop floor cared about doing a good job, eh? Cheers and good shooting!

Good job. Always liked the .303. I am lucky enough to own and Irish contract No. 4

I recently picked up a savage no4, prior owner won local service rifle championships with this particular rifle so obviously capable despite savage quality and 2 groove.I have only put a few dozen rounds through her in the dark and howling wind and had no dramas ringing 8" gong at 100m, will be interesting when i get her to the range for some proper groups, already got a heap of rounds loaded for stage one of load development.

I have a Savage 1 mark IV and it shoots 2 inch groups at 200 yards. The trigger pull is smooth and light. It is my go to at vintage gun match. I know that not all guns get built with the same quality. Maybe your Savage was built next to a holiday or a weekend when workers minds where some where else. The Enfield's are great weapons platforms of which I am a proud owner of two styles. Keep up the great videos and never let them take your guns. Thanks

Royal Ordance No4s were made in two places I think. ROF Fazackerly in Liverpool, England and ROF Maltby in Yorkshire, England.

Thanks for the video. I am looking to buy a No4 Lee Enfield this year. Now it will be a LongBranch for certain with the Canadian Walnut stock. I have a BSA Dispersal and a 1942 No MKIII and a 1918 BSA MKIII. Both with great barrels. Soon to have a 1917 MKIII from Corwin Arms! Woohoo!!! :)

Makes me happy to own a Long Branch No.4 !! Mine is a 1943 and not nearly as pretty, but it is sound and all Enfield !! It has seen a lot of service somewhere. Wish it could talk !!

In your long branch that you have put so many rounds through have you ever had to change the bolt heads for head space? I have 1942 * with a beautiful bore but the bolt head is stamped 3 and I’ve heard that means the headspace is about worn out , but it shoots fine for now no case separating. Great video!

Howdy Riflechair. Found enough brass to reload for a trip to the range, finally. Hope you are keeping well.

My Long Branch Number 4 Mark 1* (1942) has the same serial number stamped on the receiver, bolt, magazine, and stock.

Mid 70s, I was stationed at Fti Hood, TX. There was a chain of discount stores, Gibson's, in every town aroound. Each one had cardboard barrels of milsurp rifles at unbelieveable prices. I bought a Nr 4 Mk1, that looked like it had been used for a fence post, but bore looked almost new, and buttery smooth action. I also bought a Ruger handgun at the same time, and the dept manager for firearms happened to be then one who checked me out. Since I bought the new handgun, and the rifle looked horrible, he only charged me $5 for the rifle. Most of their milsurps were about $25. First time I took it out to shoot, went with a buddyd from my unit, and he had a fancy scoped Model 70 Win, and my L-E with peep sight was more accurate than his .270 with scope. Sold it to him when I was sent to Germany. Wish I still had it

I bought a 1944 No. 4 Mk 1 Long Branch at a pawn shop about 4 years ago, paying $250 (U.S.) for it. Someone had sporterized it by cutting two inches off the butt and putting a thick recoil pad there. They also cut off the forearm just above where the barrel bank went and disposed of the bands and both upper hand guards. It still shot beautifully, but I wanted to restore it to original condition. I just finished mounting the replacement maple stock, forearm and hand guards and will finish it up when my butt swivel assembly arrives from S. Africa next week. I will have about $300 (U.S.) invested in the restoration of that $250 rifle when I am done. I still cannot find brass butt plate screws on the proper provenance, so I have steel screws in my brass butt plate, and the hand guard retaining band (just in front of the receiver) is stamped with an S denoting Savage made it, but it is sure looking better than the “bubba-fied” rifle I picked up for a song. My wood parts came from a single rifle, and I got them and the brass butt plate from a vendor at a gun show in Florida. I paid asking price for the wood but they had no cracks and the metal caps were already installed and finished properly. APEX Gun Parts proved a great source for most of the hardware I needed, and their service was exemplary. Numrich Gun Parts lists most of the things you might need, including some unissued wood, but some of their listed items (including some substitute parts) were out of stock or no longer available. I filled in the gaps by shopping on e-Bay; that is how I found my butt sling swivel assembly at ‘itemofafrica’, whose service has been superb. By the way, #14 x 1-1/2 brass slotted wood screws have made a nice substitute for keeping all the pieces attached until I find originals. My point is that it is still possible to restore a vintage Lee Enfield with contemporary parts at reasonable cost provided you can invest a little Internet time in your labor of love. Good luck.

That was a great video. I am very new to Lee Enfields but have been around guns all my life. I just purchased a Lee Enfield No4 Mk2 on line and believe it to be from the UK. After your video I am certain it is. Here is a picture of the serial number. What do you think? Thanks for the video. Keep em coming.

Great review 👍 thank you

An ongoing love affair with my No4 Mk2...Irish contract...a more accurate WWII era bolt action rifle does not exist. Thanks for your keen observations and you passion.

Beautiful weapon. I have a Savage No4 MK1/1942 . Love enfields. I need to acquire a Long Branch example

Thanks & great info.

You can get steel gongs from garage sales. People selling their weight sets. I found some in the dumpster at work. Nice and thick steel. Someone just threw out a half a dozen varying weights. Great for shooting at🐿

I agree- I've owned all the versions in time gone by, and the only one I still own is a long branch. The best.

I just bought a No4 mk1 1942 british. I haven't received it yet so hopefully it shoots well. The bolt and receiver serial numbers don't match. The ad said that it headspaces properly and that the bore is still clean. How much would this affect accuracy and value?

JUST A QUICK QUESTION ON THE NUMBER 4. HOW DOES SHORTENING THE BARREL AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF THE RIFLE. I AM LOOKING AT A NUMBER4 THAT HAS ABOUT 3 INCHES CUT OFF IN A SPORTERIZED VERSION AND I'M WONDERING HOW IT EFFECTS THE RIFLE. IT HAS NO MARKINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE BAND UNDER THE BOLT LEVER. YOUR THOUGHTS?

I got a stupid question, you state the Irish Contract rifles were put into War stocks in (Grease/ Greece) Are you saying Greece the country like some shipments lately? or are you saying Grease like cosmoline?

Hey Riflechair, What can you tell me about the 1950 Longbranch rifles? Were these made for the Korean War or were they made for export to other nations? I own a 1950 Lonbranch, the metal is pristine but has a few stock dings One is a gouge near the bolt handle where something struck the stock. I love this rifle and shoot the Lyman 314299 cast bullet sized .314".

I just picked up a 1944 Lee Enfield No4 Mk1* Long Branch. Wanted one for years because I live very close to where the Long Branch factory used to be.

Very informative, thank you.

Any where in canada to get the full wooden stock for a no4mk2

I have a Long Branch but looks like a new ish 5 groove barrel was put on in the FTR process. Shoots great

I have a Fazakerley No4 of 1943 manufacture that im about finished converting to a T wartime variant. Most of the parts are NOS, all serials match after being FTRed in 55. I don’t think it was ever reissued as all the blueing is intact and the finish is still factory fresh. Got 3 bayonets for it two pigstickers, and one bowie style South African one. Im looking into getting the No7 bayonet with the switchable pommel but those fetch a premium apparently. I have repro scope, Bren gun mount though im not machining my rear sight I just removed it for practicality. It’s going in to the gunsmith to have the scope mounting pads machined in then it’s off to get zeroed.

I just found and bought a Savage No.4 MkI* and like it a lot. I used to have a Fazakerly and it was nicer IMHO. I haven't inspected a Longbranch so can't comment on those. I wanted to get a SMLE again bc I have brass, bullets and a mold to cast with as well as a sizing die set up that's .314" - which has proven to be the best size for all of the SMLE's that I tried them in... Your comments on the Savage.... apparently, you don't realize that these were churned out as fast as possible as they were in dire need.... and that's the reason the finish is not as fine. If you want to see typical American work, look at a Garand. Had to add... I got this Savage for $500 at a gun show which made my day! It's all matching too.

I've lost count of how many Lee Enfields I've owned and/or shot over the years. It is now 60 years since I first learned to shoot a rifle. I was taught on a No.2 .22 Rimfire training rifle with the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association and I presently own 7 LE rifles. I can vouch for Riflechair's appraisal of the Long Branch No.4 MkI* rifle. It is the most accurate of all my military surplus rifles and regularly shoots M.O.A. groups with handloads. It even surpasses the Fulton and Son regulated No.1 MkIII I own, and that's saying a lot!

Any way you could be talked into a disassembly video on that Irish Contract. I have recently purchased one myself and would like to get it out of the grease and put it to use. I understand they a bit different to take down with more care required. It would be nice to have some instruction from someone who's done it before.

I have a 1943 No 4 Mk1* Long Branch that has a very unique barrel, it appears to have a factory muzzle brake. It still has a bayonet lug and is a 2 groove barrel. The muzzle brake is one piece with the barrel, two inches long, 1/8 in. bigger in dia. with 6 rear angled slots on each side. I haven't been able to find any others with this barrel! Does anyone have any information on this rifle?

Hello Mr Riflechair. I am wondering how many savage no4 mk1's you have shot or handled? I have a very late production (pretty sure) of the lee enfield savage and the action seems smooth to me (very different from your rifle) accuracy seems ok to me. My guess there was some of variation in quality in the US made rifles?

Nice thing about the Enfields the front sights were easier to adjust for windage versus most other European designs where you would have to drict the front sight. The Enfields only required a tool to turn the adjusting knob to move the front sight..

Also, does your 1950 LB have the Canadian Arsenals Stamps on the wood?

If I may as a U.S. citizen, offer an opinion as to why the savage is on the rough side. The U.S. firearms manufacturers during the war were extremely inwardly focused. Although, it is true that the U.S. helped it's allies out quite a lot. Firearms manufacturing was a bit different, I believe. They were entirely focused on producing U.S. firearms, and thought of building British rifles, to be a bit taxing, or beneath them. It was a bit of an afterthought, if you will. Which wasn't fair to the Lee Enfield, as it is, in my opinion tied for the title of the best bolt gun ever made.

would you know how or where do I get the specification for, or an actual for site adjustment tool ?

The nose cap isn’t supposed to be “loose” in a sense on these? I always had thought there was supposed to be play at the front on these to accommodate barrel harmonics.

I have a 1943 longbranch. I live in Oregon and absolutely love the rifle

Hey! I just recently acquired a 1944 Maltby Lee Enfield No.4 mk1, and was wondering how to properly use the sites. I look through the hole, and I can see the front site perfectly fine, but the issue is I see a lot more than just the front site, the protectors are there, there is no real center marker on the hole to tell where the front site should go in alignment to the rear one, any tips?

I have one of these and i need it rebarreled can i get a new barrel.

Longbranch started parkerizing No4's in 1950. If a pre-1950 Longbranch No4 is parkerized then it has been refinished or re-done at the arsenal.

great video! do you reload your .303 brass?

Great video! I'd love to have one of those Royal Ordinance No.4's if they didn't seem to cost $2,000 in 2023..

Where is the best place to find enfields in canada

Hi im about to buy a no 4 mk1. 1942. Looks to be in very good shape with a bayonet. Guy wants 1200cad maybe 100 or 200 less maybe. Anychance it cld be worth that?

Sights - I have a Long Branch with peep sights. Any warnings before changing to vernier sights? I would like to use it to complete.

Excellent video.

where can i find a full un sportrised lee enfeild .303

Good video on the differences between the manufacturers. I'm looking to add an Enfield to my collection before they become difficult to find and too expensive. I'm checking out a couple this weekend. Both are No 4 Mk 1s. There is a jungle carbine for sale also, but I want a full rifle. The two No 4's saw still had cosmoline on them and were around $400 U.S. $300-500 seems to be the going rate for decent shooters unless they are rusted, pitted and beat to hell. Update-It's a Long Branch 1942. Everything looks good except the bore is full of cosmoline. I'll return tomorrow with some stuff to clean it before I decide to buy or not.

i am doing some research on these, my dad bought one that looks to be a markIII by the safety, stripper clip and bolt configuration... i believe someone sporterized it because it does not have the full length hand guard or a bayonet lug and the protection ears on the front sights are absent. there are some faint cartushes on the stock one looks like 1942, and the other is definitely marked Australia... gotta look for the 2 groove and 5 groove barrel... it does look like a quality rifle safe for deer hunting, but i believe it is no collector gun anymore because i think it has been molested...ever seen one of these??

New subscriber here. Thanks for the most comprehensive video to be found on these. It is much appreciated! Am happy to report that I am the new owner of a 1943 Long Branch and so far everything is excellent (checks). A great find for $290 and in Georgia (the state) of all places. I did have one question for you concerning Headspace gauges: What type would you recommend and where would you recommend obtaining them? The reason I ask is some say the Forrester gauges are sufficient while others say that the SAAMI spec'd gauges are not to be utilized. While I can locate the "go" and "no-go" gauges I cannot for the life of me locate a field gauge.....and yes, I'm running into the same problem / question with my Ishapore 2A1. Thanks in advance!

I just recently bought my first bolt action rifle, and it's a No.4 Mk1* made by Long Branch in 1943. It was unfortunately sporterized, with the stock's fore end shortened by about half with the top hand guards deleted, iron sights removed entirely, drilled and tapped for the Enfield's side mounting scope mount. Of course, the previous owner didn't sell it with the scope, mount, or even the iron sights, which is how I managed to buy it for a mere $200. However, $100 later, and I now have a new old stock milled rear sight, a set screw version of the front sight, and I'm wondering if I should just leave the stock alone, or buy a set of matching walnut stock, fore end, hand guards, and the various bits to mount it all. I'm thinking I'll just leave the stock alone, maybe sand it smoother as the person who made the sporterized stock seems to have carved it with a knife or something, because the woodwork sucks compared to what I can do (and have done). Anyone who says that'll destroy the resale value, well, the rifle was already $200, and I don't have any intention of selling my first bolt action rifle ever. The good news is the action is buttery-smooth and lightning fast, feeling closer to the bolt on a modern $3,000 rifle than you'd expect from a bargain find. Also, the rifling looks factory-new, and after a good cleaning, it looks like a mirror in there, not a scratch or single pit. Carbon ring around the spent case comes back less than 1mm, so the breach is in superb condition. The rail is also mirror-like, and the rotational play in the bolt when closed is no more than about 10 degrees at the most. All in all, I think I found myself a real gem for an amazingly affordable price! Now, if only cartridges weren't $2/round... Better learn how to hand load .303 British! It's funny, as an American, I like getting things that were made in America, but as a collector and history buff as well, I crave things from all over the world and throughout time. While I'd love to be able to afford an original M1 Garande, sadly their price has become unobtainable for someone of limited income such as myself, and it warms my heart I can get a hold of this British designed, Canadian made piece of WWII history. Maybe some day I can fill out my collection, but for now, this is a good first step, and not only is this rifle my first bolt action, but it's my first WWII era and milsurp firearm. Every collection needs to start somewhere!

had to come back again! lol, love carrying my 1950 deer hunting in Central NC!

This looks very much like my place, in Oregon this time of year. No. 4 Mk 1/2 too.

I've always wanted a proper Lee Enfield Mk4 No 1 it was what I originally trained with 14 years when the C7,C6,C8,C9, were being sent off to Afghanistan .... however I later I found a 1956 Mk 4 No 2 I've given up my Mauser K98 and my other sporterized Enfield for a beautiful rifle with a great bore and smooth action

I have a " S No.4 MK1* " rifle I am looking for a clip for it. I noticed their's also a top feed? Idk. If you know where I can find one please feel free to leave me a link. Thanks for your time.

I have a sporterized 303 British Lee Enfield the bolt head is missing I bought a bolt head but the threads are different. Can I buy a whole bolt are they all compatible?