Posted on 12/12/2010 8:12:54 PM PST by Pan_Yan
I am given to understand that the Afghans hand-built many different kinds of rifle, back to the Tonkin-Jazail. (CF Rudyard Kipling)
DG
Lyudmila Pavlichenko: Not guilty at all.
There are many places in Afghanistan and Pakistan where few of the people have ever been so far as the next village. These people are more cut off from the outside world than those on the most remote Pacific island.
SVT-40?
I have never been able to get past the idea that the Lee-Enfield just looks plane ugly to me. I have got maybe one or two places left in the safe, so will probably pass. I realize this is not a rational decision.
Boating accident?
Oh, I never for a moment disputed the fact that the Lee-Enfield does not have the graceful looks of the Mauser family. Even the “sporterized” Lee-Enfields of the early twentieth-century have an awkward quality. I just love those rugged, ergonomic qualities and that rock-steady, glass-smooth action.
And like I said earlier, the aperture sight of the final variant is one of the best darn iron sights on any rifle anywhere.
The Afghan jezail was infamous for outranging the British musket in the First Afghan War.
Like I said, it is not rational. I have not even handled one.
I understand that rechambering the Martini-Henry was popular early in the century. I recall reading that the .450-577 cartridge had been considered and dropped by the Ordnance Dept. in favor of the .45-70 as the Martini-Henry round was judged to be an overpowered shoulder-beater.
Aesthetic considerations never are.
I used to think so too. But their real beauty is their functionality. For instance, name another bolt rifle whose headspace problems can be cured by screwing on a replacement bolt head. Not the Mauser or Springfield.
The slickest bolt action I ever found is the Krag. Slick as oiled ice.
I am getting a lot of info to reconsider my bias about the Lee-Enfield.
If you were to only buy one Enfield, I would suggest a No. 4 Mk 2. They are the culmination of many years of refinement and are very rugged and accurate. Their peep sights are greatly superior to open sights.
Thank you.
WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, sir! You have educated me. I hadn't picked up on that, obviously.
Well done.
K.
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