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Posted: 10/28/2013 5:46:41 PM EDT
| I found an SMLE in 308 at a pawn shop. It is in rough shape but I can get it for $175. The stock is rough and there is a lot of wear on the metal hard ware. I would like to restore it with a new stock and redo the hard ware on the stock. Is $175 a decent price for a rough example of this gun. I am going back to look at it again and verify some of the markings. I know they made these in the 60's in 308. Any input is welcomed. |
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$175 is a very good deal for a Ishapore 2A1. I have owned a few and I would recommend doing a quick bore sight before U buy, Some shoot WAAAAAAY High.... 3-4 feet at 100yds high !. Take the bolt out and rest the rifle on something steady and look down bore and line up on something about 100 yds away than look at ( compare ) where the iron sights are at. |
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You will be told the following myths:
1. These are reworked #1 Mk3s. No, they were build from the beginning to use NATO 7.62. 2. The metal is inferior. No, they are made of very high quality steel. 3. They were never used in combat. No, the Indians and the Pakis have shot at each other many times in the past 50 years often using 2As and 2A1s. The following are true: 1. Your rifle is the high water mark for the Lee Enfield. Doing away with the rimmed .303 in favor of the 7.62 turned what was arguably the best bolt action MBR of all time into a supremely superior bolt action rifle. 2. You can safely shoot any NATO 7.62. 3. You might be able to squeeze 12 rounds into the 10 round mag, but that might not be a good idea. Wipe her down and shoot away. |
| Thanks guys,, I went back to the shop where I found it and tried to get him down a bit to 140 but he would not budge. I looked it over the markings are VERY hard to read. I saw a 1906 on the side of the receiver. It was hard to read and I BELIEVE it was 1906. What do you guys think?? I did not see any other markings on it other than the caliber which was also hard to read. I may go back and pick it up for 175. It looks pretty rough, but it has a lot of character. |
Yes, it has the squared off magazine and protective front sight wings. When I questioned the shop owner, he assured me it was a 308 then proceeded to chamber a 308 round into the gun. He then tried to chamber a 303 round which would not feed. I want to pick up this rifle tomorrow, but I don't want to get ripped off on something bogus. 
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Quoted:
You will be told the following myths: 1. These are reworked #1 Mk3s. No, they were build from the beginning to use NATO 7.62. 2. The metal is inferior. No, they are made of very high quality steel. 3. They were never used in combat. No, the Indians and the Pakis have shot at each other many times in the past 50 years often using 2As and 2A1s. The following are true: 1. Your rifle is the high water mark for the Lee Enfield. Doing away with the rimmed .303 in favor of the 7.62 turned what was arguably the best bolt action MBR of all time into a supremely superior bolt action rifle. 2. You can safely shoot any NATO 7.62. 3. You might be able to squeeze 12 rounds into the 10 round mag, but that might not be a good idea. Wipe her down and shoot away. Some of the early 2As are. Peter Laidler has asked the Indian Liason about this and they confirmed it. It's likely that all of the 2A1s are new-made receivers, but there are some 2As that are on recycled .303 receivers. |
| OK, I picked her up today for 175 out the door. If I can ever figure how to post pics I will do so. The rifle needs to be cleaned up badly. The number dates are very hard to read, but may read 1966 and NOT 1906. I will try to get good pics up with additional info when I can. Thanks for all of your responses. |
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