Relative the slick handling of the enfield to mausre configuration, is this your first hand person impression? Some turkish ammo is loaded up to higher pressures than is the US GI 30-06 loads. I guess it depends on the quality of steel that was used. These were guns IIRC that the turks captured during WWI and probably during some of things that happened in the Balkans and Armenia afterwards.
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Opinions on best surplus rifle?
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indy1919a4
Marksman
I would not swear that all Turk guns are 100% good steel.. But you do not see alot of issues with the quality of Turkish Surplus arms.. Per Turk 8mm, yeah its a bit hotter.. But you do not have to use it, you can dial things back to PPU or if you are a cheap skate and want to shoot surplus ammo.. Romanian 8mm is perhaps some of the best surplus... and heck Romanian is now being sold commercial with all the modern non corrosive qualities..
Thanks, The major question was how slick was the Turkish modified enfield when you handled it. the question of strength and steel was relative to an enfield firing a much hotter 8 x57 that is loaded way hotter than the .303 is loaded. Later enfields were chambered for the 7.62 nato and there was some question about the ishapore arsenal Enfield being up to that conversion to 7.62 nato.
I have been discussing steel quality of the enfield rifle and high pressure cartridges. The ishapore arsenal Enfield were purpose built to handle the 7.62 Nato loads with last ones coming off the production line in the late 1960's. The guns the Turks converted to 8x57 were not intended to handle those kind of pressures, but they apparently did it well enough. Most military actions will handle more pressure than they were rated for. What often happens if you fire just a few rounds there is no problem. It is when it is used for 1,000 rounds that the issue of action stretching and loose headspace becomes an issue.
Video on the Ishaspore enfield and I would really like to own one lol.
Video on the Ishaspore enfield and I would really like to own one lol.
TackleberryMCS
Master
To me, the best U.S. surplus rifles are as follows:
M1903
M1903A3
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
Of the foreign rifles, here is my list:
K98K
Swiss K31
M39
Enfields
M1903
M1903A3
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
Of the foreign rifles, here is my list:
K98K
Swiss K31
M39
Enfields
the M1 Garand is in the top 5 I would say..
When my house burnt I lost all milsurp rifles except my M1903A1 NM and M1922MII which were in the safe. They were in the safe as they were too scarce and precious to me to not be in the safe except when being shot. Although I suppose a real 1929 National Match Rifle might not be considered a milsurp.
Oh wow! That really sucks! I keep all of my long and short firearms, if they are not being fired at the time, regardless if valuable or not, in my safe if I can fit them in it. Even got a $50 22 rifle in it. The reason I bought/invested in a fire proof safe.
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I have a concrete vault that is detached from the house. It is connected via a wall to the house. The wall of the house are Concrete blocks filled with rebar and poured concrete. For the vault there is steel in each block vertically and every other course horizontally and welded them together and then poured it. If we ever got an F4-5 tornado i would go inside it for shelter. for the house with a steel roof and also steel-concrete in every cell a hurricane is not much of a threat to the house. It will render hell in my orchards for sure knocking down my trees.
sounds like you are good to go on your vault! Sounds like a splendid idea to me!
A year or so ago I had a chance to pick one up for about $450 and passed on it. Still kicking my rear end for doing so til this day!
my last carbine was $150 and i though that was a lot for an inland. Pricing has change for sure and i still think $450 is a lot. I paid $20 for my winchester from the old former DCM. But everything today is more expensive. For child or a small statue person a carbine is the best gun one can issue.
I may be wrong but I think the one for sale at that price was a US Postal Meter. Yep, the prices of them have gone up tremendously over the years. I think even the Universal ones are commanding some astonishing prices as well these days.
indy1919a4
Marksman
I think I see where some of the Confusion might be from.. In the Forgotten Weapons Video he referenced the Enfield being made in India by Ishapore.. But that is a rifle made in the early 1910s, those shot 303 rounds. Those guns made in India at the time were made under British control and were made up to British standards. Even the ones made after India took over were made to high standards.. And yes 8mm mauser is hotter then 303 its is still in the range. And you are right to want a Ishapore 7.62 Enfield.. They where made in the 1960s and truly a fantastic bolt action firearm..
indy1919a4
Marksman
I have never been upset with myself buying something... I seem to always get upset with myself with the things I did not buy..
I agree. Could have, should have, but didnt. Changed my mind at the last minute to go after something else that caught my eye at the time.
