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New aftermarket Aussie Enfields |
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John Coleman 
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Joined: September 21 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 113 |
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 Posted: March 21 2009 at 11:41am |
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I have seen original Lee-Enfields converted from 303 to 7.62x39 using cut down original 303 barrels and I think AK-47 magazines. I think the first ones I saw were done outside the US and later I saw US conversions. They seemed to feed and work fine. That's surprising the new production rifles for those prices have feeding problems.
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maxwell smart
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Joined: January 23 2009 Status: Offline Points: 236 |
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Posted: March 23 2009 at 9:22pm |
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I have two of the AIA M10 rifles; 1 in 7.62 x 51 and the other in 7.62 x 39.
Very happy with the finish on both rifles, both shoot well.
The 7.62 x 39 uses 10 round SKK type magazines, feeds flawlessly - even the round nose Highland softpoints don't trouble it. Rifle does not like the milsurp enamelled cases though.
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ArcherSix
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Joined: March 05 2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 317 |
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Posted: April 06 2009 at 3:50am |
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Finally went to the new Gander Mountain here in Springfield, Illinois.
They had one of the AIA Enfields. Looked like a kinda #5. In 7.62x29.
This one...
 It's priced at $699 US. Does seem a little pricey. I think it should be a $500 rifle. Fit and finish seemed on par with a lot of mil spec stuff. The staff didn't seem to know a lot about it. I'm waiting to see one of these puppies in .308
 although I shudder to think what it'll be priced at......
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VAnimrod
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Joined: December 21 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 291 |
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Posted: April 06 2009 at 7:52am |
When/if those show up in the Gander's around here, I'll likely own both. |
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Richard/SIA
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Posted: April 06 2009 at 8:45am |
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I was under the impression that these were no longer importable to the U.S. as they are actually made in Viet-Nam?
I know a few came in several years ago, I saw them at the SHOT show in LV that year. Wood was great (Special select for the show?), gun was a little clunky looking as they took some short cuts to speed production. A lot of the radius cuts were omitted, making the gun heavier and a bit blocky.
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At over $3.00 a gallon for gas, I want it leaded, 100 octane, and my windshield washed!
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ArcherSix
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Posted: April 06 2009 at 10:48pm |
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Maybe these are leftovers from when they were imported?
If that's the case, I'll pass. No parts, and etc. Also, there seems to be NO info on the internet as to an American importer, and very little info at all. There are a few that obviously exist here, so maybe they'll be a coveted collectible in a few years? If you have a Gander Mountain (the only retailer that I have even seen a reference as to having any)in your neck of the woods, go check one out. Gander Mountain is a Cabelas type store based in the midwest, if you don't know.....
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Richard/SIA
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Posted: April 07 2009 at 3:56am |
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I think Marstar in Canada might still be selling them.
Not handy for U.S. consumers, but a possible source of parts.
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At over $3.00 a gallon for gas, I want it leaded, 100 octane, and my windshield washed!
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airforcediver
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Joined: November 12 2008 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 519 |
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Posted: April 07 2009 at 8:20am |
You are correct Richard, Marstar still has the ability to import them. They usually have a few of them in stock
AFD
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If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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Smokey
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Posted: April 10 2009 at 6:22am |
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Went to the Marstar website:
While it's lost the ability to use CHARGER clips, it does have some nice refinements, such as a chromed bore, front sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation, and a stronger, more massive action. Details: http://www.storm.ca/~aiarms/M10-intro.shtm
I wonder if someone could do the cuts for CHARGER clip guides in the reciever bridge? The barrel join to the reciever has adjustable headspacing which is a nice touch.
The reciever will accept surplus Lee Enfield No.4 'ladder' type micrometer sights if you want to replace the dual aperature sight.
I'm starting to think of getting one myself!
At first glance, they did look a little "clunky" to me, but after a closer look, I'm starting to like what I see. The .308 Win is a pretty versatile round, and .308 bullets are readily available with a wide selection. Thinking about it some more, those who want to could rebarrel to something like the 260 Remington. Maintaining the same outer profile gives a thicker, stiffer (but heavier) barrel for competetive shooting. Another re-chamber option is the 30-284 Winchester, or the 7.5x55mm Swiss. You get all this with the fast-cycling Lee-Enfield bolt action.
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303carbine
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Posted: April 19 2009 at 7:08am |
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I had one of the M10 B1 Sporters, it was very nicely finished and accuracy was astonishingly good.
The teakwood for the stocks makes them VERY heavy and I wouldn't pack it around hunting anyways. I bought it to try out for myself before offering up any opinions on the accuracy or finish. Someone who wanted it more than me eventually met my price and it got sold, I used that money to buy a nice No4mk1 in original condition. The No4 will get used in the field as where the M10 would have stayed in the safe and something lighter would have been used for hunting purposes.
The AIA rifles are very well built and should do very well in any shooting matches were they are allowed. When it comes down to it, I like the original Enfield in .303 better. The originals have more nostalgia and I have taken more game with it and they seem more like a trusted friend than a rifle to me. My uncle packed a No4mk1 in Korea, he said it was the only rifle he trusted his life with when the bullets and mud started flying. I have taken moose with a few No5mk1's, No1Mk111's and a couple .303 sporter versions, they all performed well without fuss or failure.
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VAnimrod
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Posted: May 17 2009 at 7:24am |
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Well, the Gander here just got one of the 7.62x39 versions in. DAMN, is that thing heavy. Overall, a nice set-up, but for $699............ I gotta think a bit harder on that one. However, something tells me I'll likely end up with it. Just 'cause.
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Smokey
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Posted: May 25 2009 at 9:03am |
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Found some more postings on these rifles:
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No4Enfield
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Posted: January 24 2011 at 10:24am |
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Id be interested as virtually all american bolt rifles have NO irons, irks me to no end. I prefer irons on any serious rifle
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ArcherSix
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Posted: January 24 2011 at 12:03pm |
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Savage Scout in .308
Ruger Hawkeyes are available with irons
Remington 700 BDL
Those are all American and current production.
The Savage even has really good sights on it.
BTW, I agree that more should have them. Support your local gunsmith!
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A square 10
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Posted: January 24 2011 at 12:06pm |
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im on a limb here - i know that , but mimicry is a high form of flattery , so i think the sellers look at those of us that love enfields and believe we will buy anything enfield - even an almost enfield , now history says that we will - the gibbs rifles , the sante fe rifles , its been prove they will make sales ,
these latter rifles have become collectible - they are revisions of actual surplus enfields , i think we are witnessing the end of these revisions to real enfields [except by a very few who do not see them as historic] and i think they are few today , so thats good for collectors , i also think that we are witnessing an increase of interest by the youth that will but a shiny new one that almost looks the same , but has a nifty tactical look to it and they want to sell to them , these young folks may start here and evolve - maybe not , but its not a bad start - just a really expensive start , i guess where i was going with this was that i think it might create new collectors of those that seek out more information and want to discover the roots , it might hook one of us that just want something to shoot for fun , |
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Richard/SIA
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Posted: January 24 2011 at 1:23pm |
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I saw these at S.H.O.T. several years ago.
A small number were imported to the U.S. before further imports were banned due to too much Vietcong, er, Vietnamese content. The ones I saw looked a bit clunky. The manufacturers eliminated most of the lightning cuts and curved profiles from the action, probably to cut cost by reducing machine time. Unless there has been a major change in U.S. import regulations, these will not be available here. The few early imports may show up occasionally.
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At over $3.00 a gallon for gas, I want it leaded, 100 octane, and my windshield washed!
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ArcherSix wrote: