Wait for M1903 or buy this Enfield?

[BabaBlueJay]

I am a history teacher and the WW1 guy in our history department. Most people find WW2 more interesting, but I'm one of the oddballs who always found WW1 to be more captivating. The gun I've always wanted is a Springfield M1903 that actually saw the field in WW1. While my LGS had one months ago I'm told they don't come through as frequently anymore. Well, today I stopped in and was shooting the breeze when I noticed an Enfield from 1916 for 600$ and the bolt was as smooth as the day it was made. While I am an American and thus value the American rifle of WW1 more it was hard to not be impressed with the Enfield in my hands. I turned it down today but I am tempted to go grab it sometime this week if it's still there due to the condition and year. The only thing is I worry about finding 303 British ammo and it was never my dream gun from the period.

Essentially the question is should I hold out to get what I want in an M1903 Springfield or should I jump at the opportunity to get this Enfield that was produced during the Great War and is in great shape?

 

[rockquarry]

I think most find the '03 more desirable, but they're both good rifles.

 

[flintsghost]

Wait for a '03. They are a very good rifle. If you must consider an Enfield, look for an American made 1917 Enfield in 30-06. The various member countries of the commonwealth used the Enfield SMLE versions for many many years and they are always around.

 

[6string]

Personally, I have always felt the P 14/17 action was superior to the Springfield. The latter was derived from the Mauser 98 action, with a number of changes intended to circumvent the Mauser patent. Not only did this idea not work, but every change Springfield made was for the worse. It doesn't handle escaping gas all that well, and the two piece firing pin has caused a few freak, out of battery discharges. (Read Jack O'Connor's rifle book!)
Meanwhile, the Enfield action has been used for numerous custom rifles chambered for the largest dangerous game. As late as the 1990s A-Square built their "Hannibal" dangerous game rifle on the Enfield P14 action.

I'm guessing the one you saw is in 303 British?

 

[StrawHat]

Someone said, the Americans fielded the best target rifle, the Germans fielded the best hunting rifle and the English supplied their troops with the best battle rifle.

But you said, “…should I hold out to get what I want in an M1903 Springfield…”. Wait for your Springfield.

Kevin

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Personally, I have always felt the P 14/17 action was superior to the Springfield. The latter was derived from the Mauser 98 actuon, with a number of changes intended to circumvent the Mauser patent. Not only did this idea not work, but every change Springfield made was for the worse. It doesn't handle escaping gas all that well, and the two piece firing pin has caused a few freak, out of battery discharges. (Read Jack O'Connor's rifle book!)
Meanwhile, the Enfield action has been used for numerous custom rifles chambered for the largest dangerous game. As late as the 1990s A-Square built their "Hannibal" dangerous game rifle on the Enfield P14 action.

I'm guessing the one you saw is in 303 British?

It was 303 British which was one of my concerns but I found some ammo sources for it. I have to say the bolt action on this gun was the smoothest I've ever felt. I was instantly in love with that aspect of the Enfield.

 

[Abbynormal]

Get the Enfield and enjoy it until you can afford/find/get a WW1 03'.
Then you can sell the Enfield or try to find a 1897 Winchester trenchgun and or a real Colt 1911.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Get the Enfield and enjoy it until you can afford/find/get a WW1 03'.
Then you can sell the Enfield or try to find a 1897 Winchester trenchgun and or a real Colt 1911.

This is sort of what I was leaning towards. Who knows I may just end up loving the Enfield. First impressions were incredible and it's in amazing shape for a gun made in 1916.

 

[noonster]

You probably will end up enjoying the Enfield. AND… after you enjoy it for a good while, there’s a good chance you’ll scrape up enough $$$ to get the ‘03. There are plenty of both out there. Put a “looking for” ad out there. All this being said, I lean towards the No4mk1, but that’s just me. You can find 303 ammo out there, too. Reload as needed - it isn’t nuclear-brain-surgery, after all.

 

[deadin]

The .303 you are looking at is American made for the British and is a Model P1914. The one you should get is a P1917 in 30/06 and was more common in WW1 than the Springfield M1903, (Also considered a better battle rifle than the 1903.)

 

[Ματθιας]

Don't settle. Have patience and get what you really want. You'll be happier at the end of the day.

What ever rifle you get, you have to get the appropriate bayonet to go with it!

 

[GypsmJim]

My first was a Mauser 98. Then, while waiting for a Springfield I found an Enfield. Finally, I found an 03.

I'm glad I have all 3. Would never sell any of them. After buying a couple boxes of ammo for each one, I now have sufficient brass. With molds for all 3 flavors I NEVER have to worry about boolits. $9.99 Lee Loaders and I'm set for life.

Mosins are klunky, Mausers are smooth, Springfields are on par, but Enfields are nothing to sneeze at.

 

[GypsmJim]

Don't settle. Have patience and get what you really want. You'll be happier at the end of the day.

What ever rifle you get, you have to get the appropriate bayonet to go with it!

I disagree. No collection id worthwhile unless you have them all. I agree about the bayonet.

 

[StrawHat]

The .303 you are looking at is American made for the British and is a Model P1914. The one you should get is a P1917 in 30/06 and was more common in WW1 than the Springfield M1903, (Also considered a better battle rifle than the 1903.)

I do not see where the OP has given any indication which Enfield he has seen. Did I miss something?

Kevin

 

[Greyman50]

Doughboys training with the Brits used English Enfields so you would be ok. Any WWI rifle is good condition is worth picking up under $1K. I also collected WWI and still have quite a bit of good paper goods. Gave weapons, gear and equipment to my son. We were serious collectors, very serious

 

[Ματθιας]

I disagree. No collection id worthwhile unless you have them all. I agree about the bayonet.

This is what the OP said:

The gun I've always wanted is a Springfield M1903 that actually saw the field in WW1.

I'm saying if he always wanted an M1903, don't settle for the Enfield just because it's available. Wait until he finds what he really wants.

He didn't say anything about a collection.

 

[target tech]

I thought I was getting myself a nice WWI Winchester 1917 a few years back. After a little research, I found out it is most possibly a gun that was assembled from leftover new parts and freshly manufactured stocks and bolts at the very beginning of WWII. The bolt is marked USMC……. Not what you think. United Shoe Manufacturing Company, or something like that. They normally made equipment to make shoes. They got a contract to make Enfield bolts. Live and learn. I wanted something to go with my 1918 Colt. Contrary to what people think, there were way more 1917s than Springfield 03s in WWI

 

[ruger 22]

I would get the Enfield now and then later the 1903. If you are a WW1 buff you really need both of these and also a 1917.

 

[6string]

It was 303 British which was one of my concerns but I found some ammo sources for it. I have to say the bolt action on this gun was the smoothest I've ever felt. I was instantly in love with that aspect of the Enfield.

303 British has one of the greatest legacies of all cartridges. It has its roots in the old Martini action single shots, seeing use in many 19th century colonial wars. In WWI and WWII it served admirably in not only infantry but in specially built sniper rifles. It even adapted well to machine gun use. In WWI, most if not all of the single and double seat biplanes were equipped with Lewis guns chambered for 303 British.
If you’re a history buff, you owe it to yourself to get the Enfield! The 303 is a plus!!

 

[6string]

I do not see where the OP has given any indication which Enfield he has seen. Did I miss something?

Kevin

He said it was made in 1916. If correct, that rules out the 1917.