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Posted: 4/1/2013 8:16:33 PM EDT
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Hey folks, I need alittle help with this. I have a shotgun I value at 350-400 I am considering trading for the enfield. From what little research I have been able to find it seems to be in good shape.
But I just want to know if the values line up. I really want one of these rifles but at the same time I don't want to trade down to get it. Here is a few pics, let me know what you guys as far as the condition and the value. I'm sure I could hunt one down that's in rough shape for a couple hundred bucks but I really prefer these old rifles when there in good shape. As far as this rifle it appears to be in good shape, and the owner says all the numbers match. The only thing I know is it doesn't have the * mark on it so that makes it alittle more scarce than some others. Thanks for any and all help! Sn 63630 
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| I got lucky and picked up a matching No. 4 last summer with excellent metal, wood and bore for $160 OTD at a shop about 2 hours away. However, it was missing the plunger and spring for the micrometer sight ($9 shipped from Numrich). Most I have seen lately though having been going in the 300-400 range. So really its up to you. If it is in good shape and you really want one I say go for it or you can wait and see if you come across a deal like I did. My Enfield is probably my favorite surplus rifle I own. |
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If you have the chance to inspect it in person, check the stock to metal fit. The Enfield is one of my favorite rifles to shoot mainly because it's stupid easy to reload .303 and the aperture sights rock but it's stock design is terrible. Given its age, if the stock has dried out, it will shrink and mess up the bedding.
The two-piece stock design uses a single screw to hold the action, slop is taken up by specific bearing surfaces in the stock in front of the chamber and behind the bottom metal. That one screw is suppose to pull the action tight against those surfaces. With the rifle assembled, hold it vertical by the handguard and push the muzzle around. If the whole action moves in the stock, you will have serious stringing when you shoot it. You can fix the problem by liberally reoiling the stock with raw linseed oil inside and out, maybe cut with some solvent to help penetrate the wood. This will swell the stock, possibly returning it back to its original shape and size. If not, you can use bedding compound and rebed the action. Read more here. Very useful pictures. |
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If you don't reload, I would pass. Find another C&R rifle that can fill the gap, but has plenty of ammo for.
I love my Enfield, and I don't reload. So finding ammo and getting good deals is very hard to come by over the years. I take her out and work the action, but she hardly sees the range anymore. Both my Mosin's get lots of action. My Buddy's M1 carbine is fun as hell to shoot and could get steel .30 carbine for it pretty reasonable months back. But the .303 British is just getting more and more expensive to keep up on. Yes deals do come along, and ammo pops up from time to time, but I think the time has passed finding good deals. ETA: if the shotty is not being used, and you were looking for a trade anyway, I think its fair across the board. If its something you still use and hunt/SD with, I would not take the deal and look at saving a little bit. Here in AZ, they pop up on BackPage all the time for sale. And usually within the $250-$600 range with variety of condition. |
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