| Loyalist17 |
| (.224 member) |
| 25/03/17 05:03 AM |
SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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Hi all,
Stopped by a local gunshop when I was home from school and spied this rifle on the rack. Pictures aren't that great, but it has a decent bore and a caramel-coloured walnut stock (much darker in the photos) refinished into a sporter between the wars with period-style sling swivel studs and a slim foreend that balances perfectly at the shoulder, good dark bluing on everything. I suspect that with no maker's mark except the arsenal marks this was a home project of a hunter with interest in Enfields since this is the default cheap moose and bear gun in Canada.
I'm very happy with how it handles now, but I'd like to replace the military sights with a 3-leaf express and ramp front sight, if only so its easier to pick up against a black bear in low light. In addition, it is drilled and tapped for what looks to be a weaver mount accepting the .22 tip-off rings, would there be a period scope that wouldn't look completely out of whack with this gun, an old Leupold 3x or a Weaver K4 steel tube or the like?
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 25/03/17 06:40 AM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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Here ya go.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/sights/rear-sights/classic-express-sight-prod9644.aspx
Standing + 3 leaves
661-103-830WB
P3-XL Classic Express Sight
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 25/03/17 04:45 PM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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this looks very good
| Claydog |
| (.375 member) |
| 25/03/17 05:27 PM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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I think those reshaped ex mil stocks make awesome looking sporters. Set of express sights and will be a sweet as set up. I prefer these with open sights but I would imagine any of the old style European scopes would match up well.
| Bidgee |
| (.375 member) |
| 26/03/17 08:17 AM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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That's a lively sporter that you picked up. Easy to carry and points like a stick. What's not to like!
Have you considered a rear aperture sight?
| Roy |
| (.300 member) |
| 26/03/17 09:47 AM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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A very nice little rifle indeed, well done and thanks for sharing.
There seems to be a lot of these 'sporterized' Enfields floating around. Although not for me personally they are terrific value for money.
This one though looks especially nice.
Cheerio,
Roy
| Loyalist17 |
| (.224 member) |
| 26/03/17 03:49 PM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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Quote:
That's a lively sporter that you picked up. Easy to carry and points like a stick. What's not to like!
Have you considered a rear aperture sight?
I have, but digging around for one that's halfway period (it's a 1918 manufacture so I'd prefer something pre-1939) is a bear unless it's one of the large Parker Hale jobs that look rather unsightly or a boxy Willams or aluminum Lyman. Ideally a Rigby cocking-piece setup would be added, but those are on the shelf with hens teeth.
That, and without the rifle on hand I'm having a bit of trouble finding the barrel diameter to order the NECG rear sight that Daryl put me on the scent of.
| BigEyeBob |
| (.275 member) |
| 06/06/17 09:06 PM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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my spare barrel measures .7oo" at the cross pin that holds the military sight base . This barrel is a standard profile ,not the H heavy barrel.
| Vladymere |
| (.300 member) |
| 07/06/17 05:18 AM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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Have you considered an express sight that does not have a screw or screws to retain it to the barrel? They, IMO, are much better looking. Go to the New England Custom Guns web site to look at express sight selection. You may also want to look at the Recknagle and AKAH catalogs online. NECGs can import any of the Recknagle and AKAH items for you.
Vlad
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 07/06/17 05:57 AM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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This sporter is the standard rifle used by probably quite well over 70% of "the boomer generation" as their first moose rifle, here in B.C.
Many still have and use that rifle.
Around here, in central BC, many use 180gr. WW PowerPoints since the 215gr. Imperials nor their 180gr. Klingcore SP's are no longer available.
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 07/06/17 08:12 AM |
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Re: SMLE for Quasi-Speed build
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Nothing wrong with the good old .303!
As long as you have good eyes then the military sights will be more than sufficient, but time doesn't discriminate & hence either groups suffer (unless your Daryl!) or you have to have some help optically - peep or scope.
I do however believe that there was a scope mount that used the military rear sight base on the .303 & then a pistol scope was used to achieve visual aid.
Its your little gem, to do so with whatever you wish; doing plenty of hunting with we all hope!