Need some help

[grayfox]

I picked up an Enfield 308 today. Under the handle is a crown, Then Stamped "Rifle"
7.62mm 2 A1
RFI 1965
No other markings that I can find. Bore is mint.



Got it for 109.00 out the door.
Any help?

[normsutton]

grayfox





Manufactured in the 1960's by the rifle factory in Ishapore, and issued to India's Interior Security Force,1-12Rd. Magazine. These are .308 NATO (7.62x51) caliber!
don't shoot standard 308 ammo in it

what would you like to know
here's mine



NORM

[papabear]

+1 with Norm,

Your rifle is a Ishapore, India 2A1, the 2A and 2A1 are relatively new manufacture, the only difference between the 2A and 2A1 is a change in the range scale of its rear sight with no other alterations. I can't remember for sure but I think in the late 50's and 60's, they are basically a Enfield No.1 but they used high strength steel, specifically engineered by the Indian government for the 7.62 x 51mm round.

The S^ A on the right side of the stock in your pic is a acceptance mark for South Australia, so I am assuming that the stock was originally a Lithgow from Australia, which is not uncommon to find a Aussie stock on a India Ishapore rifle they all shared and shared alike with the Enfields.

The RFI stands for "Rifle Factory Ishapore"


papabear

[grayfox]

Thanks Guys!
I,m thinking of refinishing the stock. What is the correct method?

[normsutton]

grayfox

does yours have the typical black paint on it that most Ishy's have on them, if it does take apart, paint striper, wash off with hot soapy water, do not sand on wood , steel wool it , leenseed oil would be the original finish .on the metal you can cold blue it or paint it black

Ishy shoot better with the heaver bullets like 165 to 168 grn bullets,

as on all Enfield's before you fire the rifle check the bolt and see if the # match the receiver , if they don't have the head space checked

NORM

[grayfox]

Thanks Norm,
Mine has the oil finish, not paint. I may just clean it up as I don't want to lose the S^A mark,
BTW,
There is an 8 in yellow on the stock (small), do you know what that means?
Thank again Norm.
Sam

[normsutton]

grayfox

what i been told its a rack # , i had a big white one painted on mine too i took it off


NORM

[grayfox]

grayfox

what i been told its a rack # , i had a big white one painted on mine too i took it off


NORM

OK, so its not important. Can I just use steelwool and re-oil the stock? All the metal is good bluing except near the muzzle.

[normsutton]

grayfox

try the steelwool , i don't know if iy will take off or not , i have always used paint stripper


NORM

[carguy]

Nice project gray...can't wait to see it with a refinished stock. I've been tempted for a while to pick up one of those "cracked stock" ones from JGSales like Norm has done a couple of times.

What is the difference between standard 308 and 308 NATO (7.62x51) ammo?

[grayfox]

Not sure. Norn? or papabear?

[barnett3006]

NATO 308 brass is longer then civilian 308 Win. I had to look up the difference in length...Mil cases are .013" longer then the civilian cases. Civilian 308 brass is also thinner than Nato brass...the resulting combination could mean a case head separation and catastrophic failure of your rifle.

here is a pretty good link about it. http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/7_62vs308.htm

[normsutton]

other info on 7.62 x 51 and 308 win

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=945


NORM

[garry]

this may be helpful in answering some "other" questions about the Enfields. http://www.milsurpafterhours.com/bb/vie ... e6cc7b22a0
The more different guns that get posted on here makes this a good opportunity to have a complete gun forum of all types ! Keep adding new guns Guys !!!!!
G