AIA M10

It is precisely because the versatility of this Enfield No. 4 impresses so many people that it has been revived so many years after the original production was discontinued. This is a great compliment to the original design, not ? Largely replicated, partially improved, updated. Yes, the interchangeability of most parts is missing, as authenticity and history – unfortunately for some – but for others this is less important. Or even irrelevant... The mere appearance of such a new edition already arouses curiosity..    

Added to this is another positive test report. One that is probably not so well known outside the German-speaking world. That's what I meant with my first post above. Therefore I try to summarise the essentials here, considering copyright. This test appeared in the VISIER 11/2005, page 27-31. 

By using only a few keywords: 

Appearance: At first glance, the AIA No.4 Mk4 Classic rifle looks like a new British No.4 Mk I Enfield. And the AIA M10 A-1 Jungle carbine looks almost like a legendary No.5 Mk I Jungle carbine. However, there are some differences in the rifles, which are completely remanufactured by AIA in Brisbane. The light grey phosphating of all metal parts, the very quick barrel change thanks to a patented Savage barrel change system. Well-crafted, light teak wood for the stocks. All parts are said to have been milled from solid blocks. In terms of workmanship, the two test rifles deserve a ‘very good’ rating when measured against the standards of a service weapon. Remark: a rare compliment in this magazine.. 

Function, bolt action: The bolt continues to function as a bolt tensioner and, of course, has differently designed bolt heads. He's now even quicker to remove than the original. The extractor and ejector have also been redesigned. There is no longer a loading strip milling on the left receiver-side. The triggers have a clearly noticeable pressure point and a dry trigger pull without any scratches. The open sights with a fixed rear sight and two flaps have pleasantly small diopter holes that are well suited for the UIT target at 100 metres. The new magazine is the one from the M14-Rifle. Clever.

Accessories: I will deliberately leave these aside in favour of the visit to the shooting range. 

Range-Report: The No.4 Mk4-Rifle capable of all .308 Win.-Ammo, obviously, was with totally 5 Reloads and 7 factory-loads tested And with a Leapers-Scope 6x24-50 with Mil-Dot-Reticle. The Handloads had all either a Lapua Scenar 167 gr-HPBT or a Sierra 168 gr-Matchking-projectile. They reached 5-shot-groups at 100 m between 18 and 34 mm resp. 0,708 and 1,338 inches. Their muzzle-velocities varied from 786-809 meters per second or 2578-2654 f/s. Using 5 different powder-types. 

The factory-ammo varied from 123 to 180 grs in bullet-weight. The lightest was the Lapua-Trainer, the 155 gr the Lapua Scenar and the only 168 gr-round here the Sellier-Match. Their groups reached 24-90 mm size, or 0,944 to 3,543 inches. The MV's varied from 2490 to 3044 f/s or 759 to 928 m/s. The rifle worked unproblematic. Testers were impressed by this accuracy. More details via PM, if necessary.    

The two testers described three notable features. The bolt was unusually difficult to operate. The strong magazine-feather pressed the feeder against the bolt. Correctable IMHO. The feeder blocks now after the last shot the bolt, perhaps annoying, depending on discipline, shooting-program. That is a  construction-change. The high trigger on the No.4 Mk4 pull did not necessarily promote accuracy; on the carbine, it was almost 1 kilo lower. Manufacturing tolerances. Also correctable IMHO - today. 

Some would have liked to try out a No. 4 Mk4, also in comparison with a No. 4 Mk I/II. Me and others..

As far as i know there were once offered in Germany. By Waffen Schumacher OHG, Krefeld. The price: a No.4 Mk4 costed then 1070 Euro, the M10-A1-carbine in caliber 7,62 x 39 mm M43 960 Euro.