Lee-EnfieldThis is a featured page

Lee-Enfield. From world.guns.ruModel: Weapon name
The Lee-Enfield is a rifle with one of the longest histories of any weapon. From 1895 to 1957 the Lee-Enfield in some form was used as the British Army's standard service arm and has seen long use in many nations of the Commonwealth. Over 17 million Lee-Enfields have been produced.

This particular article deals with the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield, or SMLE series. The No. 1 SMLE was a shorter, lighter version of the Magazine Lee-Enfield (MLE) and one of the first rifles to be of an intermediate length rather than a carbine and rifle version. The SMLE No. 1 Mk III was the iconic rifle of World War I. The No. 4 Mk I superseded it in time for World War II and was considerably heavier, but cheaper to mass produce. The No. 5 Mk I "Jungle Carbine" was a shorter carbine version of the No. 4 meant for fighting in the jungles of the Pacific; while much handier in the jungle, it wasn't as accurate and more uncomfortable to fire than the No. 4. Even after their replacement on the front lines a variety of Lee-Enfields were rechambered to 7.62mm NATO and used as sniper rifles until the introduction of the L96 in the 1980s.


Specifications:
Weight:
 4kg (8.8lb)
3.2 kg (7 lb) (No. 5)
Length:
 1,130mm (44.5in)
1003 mm (39.5 in) (No. 5)
Barrel Length:
 635mm (25in)
Cartridge:
 .303 British
7.62x51mm NATO
Action:
 Bolt-action
Muzzle Velocity:
 744m/s (2,441 ft/s)
774 m/x (2539 ft/s) (No. 5)
Effective Range:
 550yd (503 m)
500 yd (457 m) (No. 5)
Feed System:
 Non-detachable box magazine. 10
Sights:
 Front post, sliding aperture rear.
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Where to find

The Lee-Enfield's price can often get into the thousands for collector's models, but sporterized rifles and old war surplus can be as low as $125, with some $200 rifles coming with a scope.


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Complexity

The Lee-Enfield is a classic example of an excellent bolt-action rifle, with a very tough and sturdy mechanism and very accurate at sniping ranges at the cost of being bulky to carry around. The No.5 "Jungle Carbine" was known for having a painful recoil and massive muzzle flash due to the shorter barrel and lighter weight and also suffered from a wandering zero; the gun would lose accuracy as it was fired.
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Controls
  • Safety: Located on the left side of the rear of the receiver. Push back for SAFE, forward for FIRE.
  • Bolt handle: Located on the right side of the receiver.
  • Magazine catch: Located in front of the trigger guard. Normally the magazine is only removed for unloading and cleaning the rifle.

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Loading

Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Pull the bolt handle up and pull it back to expose the magazine.
  3. If loading with a stripper clip, place the clip into the clip guide at the rear of the receiver and push the rounds into the magazine with your thumb. Remove the clip and insert another one for the next 5 rounds. If loading single rounds, push them down into the magazine one by one until it is full.
  4. Pushing the rounds in the magazine down with your thumb, take a single round and push it into the chamber.
  5. Push the bolt handle forward and down to close and lock it.
  6. Push the safety back to activate it.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

    Cannot be done.

Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Pull the bolt handle up and pull it back to expose the magazine.
  3. If loading with a stripper clip, place the clip into the clip guide at the rear of the receiver and push the rounds into the magazine with your thumb. Remove the clip and insert another one for the next 5 rounds. If loading single rounds, push them down into the magazine one by one until it is full.
  4. Pushing the rounds in the magazine down with your thumb, push the bolt handle forward until it rides over the top cartridge. Close and lock the bolt handle.
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Unloading

How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Push the magazine catch forward/up (varies with the rifle) and pull the magazine out of the rifle.
  3. Pull the bolt handle up and back and examine the chamber for any ammunition. Close the bolt.
  4. Pull the trigger.

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Field Stripping

How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Unload the weapon as described above.
  3. Turn the rifle over (magazine must be removed) and push the rear of the magazine follower and spring past the chamber. Turn the rifle back right-side-up and pull the magazine follower and spring out through the chamber.
  4. No. 4: Unlock the bolt and slide it back until it is lined up with the cut on the right side of the receiver on the bolt head track. Lift the bolt head straight up and remove the bolt. All other rifles: Unlock the bolt and slide it all the way back. Lift the bolt head straight up and remove the bolt.
Reverse to reassemble.



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Keyword tags: bolt bolt-action britain british enfield firearm gun kingdom lee lee-enfield rifle uk united kingdom weapon
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