Lee Enfield SMLE Disassembly (Part Two) and reassembly

The second in my two-part video featuring the disassembly and reassembly of a Lee Enfield No1 rifle.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• SMLE
• Lee
• Enfield
• .303
• Rifle
• Disassembly
• Reassembly

[PimpLenin]

I also wanted to add, awsome jacket. 5th USAAF!

[PimpLenin]

Again, thanks for posting this video. I got my 1944 Lithgow today and I took it apart and put it back together again, step by step, as I followed your video. Gave it a good clean while it was apart. If I was back in Australia I'd get you a case of beer as payment.

[ratagris21]

Thanks for pointing out the issue with removing the butt stock without the fore stock removed. I have a sporterized No1 Mark 3, and the stock was loose. I followed your instructions and sure enough I was able to tighten the stock bolt 3/4 turn to tighten and it resolved the problem as well as I cleaned up the underside of the barrel, receiver, and trigger assembly and the forestock. My Mk 3 is now ready for shooting. Any other videos on this or any other fine rifles would be appreciated!

[ratagris21]

Thanks for posting and sharing this valuable information on how to disassemble the SMLE. I really enjoyed it and learned something new. I would like to see the video where you disassemble the butt stock or addressing a loose butt stock issues would be nice as well.

[aabceacba]

@something01992 Very interesting, thanks for the info.

[something01992]

@aabceacba Also, the Mauser 98 is a newer system than the LE, and everyone wants the newest. The Mauser 98 is mechanically more reliable. With the dawn of MGs and mechanized warfare, the rifle plays less of a role. The Mauser takes a bit less time and money (I think) to manufacture. Also, only the British Empire used the LE. And the Brits were recently bloodied in South Africa by the Boers who were armed with Mausers. Also, most other countries had adopted Mausers and were very satisfied.

[something01992]

@aabceacba I don't have an actual time period correct answer for you, but I thought of a few reasons. An external magazine is exposed to damage during the battlefield, 1 more thing to go wrong. Also, why make it detatchable if you load by stripper clip? The LE action is weaker than that of the Mauser, .30-06 is loaded to higher pressures. The Mauser 98 action/bolt is also much safer than a LE. Also the .30-06 cartridge is much longer than the .303 and would require a redesign of the action.

[aabceacba]

We all know that we Americans modeled our Springfield after the Mauser,....with the exeption of the caliber and other details, it was for the most part, a copy (hey, Germany makes great guns). But from my point of view, we probably would've been better off coppying the Lee Enfield rifle (in terms of the bolt design, and ammo capacity) . Don't get me wrong, the Mauser is a fine rifle, but from what I've heard, I would've chosen the Lee Enfield. Just a thought... Which do you think is better?

[aikalim87]

@charliejamespidgeon Take a look at part one - draw the bold all the way to the rear, then turn the bolt head to the left, away from the rail. It should just click off.

[charliejamespidgeon]

how do you take off the bolt on a mark 1 No 3 lee enfield as i need to clean the rifie