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Lee Enfield or the K98?

Discussion in 'Small Arms and Edged Weapons' started by Niles23, Aug 27, 2009.

  1. Niles23

    Niles23 Member

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    which is a better gun the Lee Enfield MK1 or the bulvarian k98? im lookin at buying one or the other. i need info on which is the better rifle.
     
  2. formerjughead

    formerjughead The Cooler King

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    Do you mean Bavarian or Bulgarian?
     
  3. Niles23

    Niles23 Member

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    Bavarian
     
  4. formerjughead

    formerjughead The Cooler King

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    here is some info on the Bavarian K98:

    ( Amberg Arsenal (Bavaria) rifle - Gunboard's Forums )

    From what I have read the Bavarian models were lighter and more like a hunting rifle. I personally don't think they are anything special. However if the serial numbers match and there are waffenampts I certainkly wouldn't turn it down if the price were right.

    Enfields are always a good bet though.

    Brad
     
  5. Niles23

    Niles23 Member

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    it has all the serial numbers and its priced at 150
     
  6. formerjughead

    formerjughead The Cooler King

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  7. Niles23

    Niles23 Member

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    idk ill have 2 go check tomorrow
     
  8. sniper1946

    sniper1946 Expert

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    lee enfield mk1..
     
  9. Stefan

    Stefan Cavalry Rupert

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    Depends what you want it for really doesn't it. If you want a hunting rifle I'd probably go with the Mauser, I reckon there must be a reason hunting rifles tend to use the mauser action as opposed to the Enfield. That said, the Enfield seems more sturdy and you can reload and fire a second shot without disturbing the position more quickly and easily (which if you are hunting something like a deer is handy during that pause between missing and the beast deciding to run away).
     
  10. Cpt. Tong

    Cpt. Tong recruit

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    i think both are very good rifles, both rifles, bolt-action, and accurate, you should buy both!:D
     
  11. STURMTRUPPEN

    STURMTRUPPEN Member

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    the k98
     
  12. marc780

    marc780 Member

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    Cant go wrong with the mauser, alot of modern bolt rifle designs are based on it. A pre-war rifle would be better in either enfield or mauser if you have a choice, since the first thing to go when war broke out was the old-world craftsmanship and the fine finishing methods at the rifle factory. If you dont have a choice of year of manufacture, get whichever one seems in better condition.

    Before you buy either one carefully examine the inside of the rifle barrel. If either rifle was actually used in the ww1 or ww2 time frame, it probably shot corrosive primer ammo.
     
  13. brndirt1

    brndirt1 Saddle Tramp

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    For hunting, I too would go with the "Mauser" action, since it is the basis for most hunting rifles of today. With improvements and alterations of course. There is another little difference between the Lee-Enfield and the other bolt action rifles of the time (Mauser, Springfield, Arisaka, Mosin-Nagant, etc.), and I believe in all bolt action rifles yet today.

    The bolt action rear locking lug type, an invention of the American James Paris Lee (along with magazine), is unique in that the rotating bolt has two lugs that lock into the receiver walls at the rear part of the bolt, thus saving some part of the bolt length and bolt pull, when comparing to the forward lugs doing the locking as in a Mauser, Springfield, Arisaka, etc.. In the Lee-Enfield the bolt's distance of travel was identical with the length of the cartridge, not slightly longer as in the Mauser-style actions to make up for the forward
    locking lugs, and its (Lee) rotation was only 60 degrees compared to the conventional 90 degree rotation of Mauser-style actions.

    This design creates a much shorter, quicker bolt pull, and the SMLE was a striker fired gun, with its two-stage trigger cocking on the bolt closing action, thus the bolt handle ends up slightly behind the trigger itself. The Mauser and other Mauser-like rifles set their trigger cocking mechanism differently, and the bolt handle ends up slightly ahead of the trigger.

    Coupled with a shorter bolt pull/rotation for reloading the chamber, position of the bolt in relation to the trigger, the SMLE could be fired quite rapidly and accurately for a bolt-action rifle of the period.

    But, as mentioned by others make sure the corrosive primers haven't damaged the receiver or barrel in any fashion before purchase. Even if the weapon was produced post-war, a great number of "war produced" rounds were sold and used after the war.

    If in good condition, either action and/or either rifle is a fine one.
     
    Jaeger likes this.
  14. Niles23

    Niles23 Member

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    well i ended up buyin 3 a K98, lee enfield, and a mosin nagant i spent roughly 600 for all 3.
     
  15. Smithson

    Smithson Member

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    certainly after firing a lee enfield rifle i would recommend you buy one and also i noticed the price was 150? what website is that?
     
  16. Niles23

    Niles23 Member

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    they were all three at a pawn shopin in gadsden, alabama
     
  17. surfersami

    surfersami Member

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    My Grandfather told me of a saying dating back to WWI. The Germans had the best hunting rifle(Mauser), the British had the best battle rifle(Lee-Enfield), and the Americans had the best target rifle(Springfield). People can argue about all the differences, but they all can be fun to shoot.
     
  18. pegasus

    pegasus Member

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    A wise move if in dout buy them all and then make up your mind which one is your faviort :)
    I have got an No4 T snipers rifle 1944 and a K98 with a ZF41 all matching numbers 1942, by far the best items in my collection
     

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