No.1 MkIII* SMLE - DSAR Overview

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[@steverichards9964]

First rifle i ever bought. Last rifle I'd ever sell.

[@josemoreno3334]

I'm not Australian but American. It was my first rifle I bought back in1997 .. It's a No.1 Mk III* made in your great country in1917. Built tough . Like to say Hello from Buckeye, Arizona USA. I LOVE AUSTRALIA.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Nice job, Rowan! Such a classic rifle.

[@motorsphere356]

Great to see you here

[@ihavenoname4007]

Many Americans appreciate these as well, myself included. A 1916 Enfield produced ShtLE Mk.III* was the first gun I ever bought and got it at a gun shop in California the week I turned 18 (for a long since gone price of $195). Still have it and still love it almost 20 years later.

[@ronaldfagan1889]

Yes we do. It is an amazing rifle, James Lee who was an American designed it, the British took and made it better, and Australia perfected it. Great gun...love its history, love how damn good it works. Heavy, but if you want reliable....well, there you go. The bolt action is second to none...it's so fast.

[@losonsrenoster]

I was lucky to buy my Number 1 mark lll *, made in 1941 by BSA, for the equivalent of 170 USD on 15 October 2019. I waited 17 months for the license though. First shoot will be Wednesday 17 March 2021.

[@beefcakes27]

@@ronaldfagan1889 Lee born in Scotland moved to the US in 1858 and became a US citizen in 1896. He was a marvelous inventor and surely left his mark.

[@althanear4316]

I just bought 1 of these from Halls in Townsville. Still great service from the boys over there.

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Succinct analysis of the SMLE. Well done, never knew about the tension spring in the nose cone. From South Africa.

[@geezerp1982]

this guy would make garand owners pissed off , with the speed he shoots the lee enfield

[@archimagirus_sancti]

I have collected Enfields in the US for 20 years; my favorite is my 1943 Lithgow Mk. III* I picked up a long time ago. Aussie rifles are great

[@moxapunk1]

Love it! I just bought one. Lithgow 1942.

[@kevinblair3331]

Excellent video I’m in the process of buying a Lee Enfield number one Mark three

[@evilscience3164]

Lovely rifle in great shape. I'm in the USA and no. 3's in good shape were scarce to say the least. I purchased a no 4 mk 2 about 30 years ago and it was a steal for 140 usd at the time. That rifle was stored and never used as you probably know. That Enfield has been shot lightly and is a pleasure every time I use it. I also love my 1943 Springfield M1, both iconic rifles that are timeless. Thank You.

[@williamcouture9701]

my first milsurp purchase was a no1 mk3 Lithgow?(sorry if i misspelled that) 1923 production. FTR 1953. still own it. wonderful post war machining. shoots well.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

A truely great rifle with an iconic profile....especially with that bayonet. I got my Lithgow SMLE and when got the bayonet....proudly showed it to my father....then stuck a hole in his ceiling. He took it quite well.

[@dsar9489]

This may..... or may not have occurred during filming.....

[@cocinerotravieso]

I'm late to the party. I just picked up two 1918 BSA SMLEs here in America (my first SMLEs). One in pretty good surplus condition, and one that was sporterized that I'm getting the parts for to return her to her former glory. There's something special about these rifles that I couldn't resist.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Legendary bolt action battle rifle indeed. A rifle for empire and for combat. I have a Lithgow 1943 FTRd in 1956 fine rifle for my road trip expeditions where some states here in the US are Communist and won't let me take my AR. My other one is the Indian version of the SMLE in 7.62 NATO A.K.A. .308 the Ishapore 2A/2A1 built in 1967. This is the rifle I take out the most for personal protection if a semi-auto is out of the question because ammo resupply is easier than finding .303 now. But the SMLE # 1 MK III system is still the best combat bolt action for combat. My M1 Garand is my second choice since 30-06 is behind 7.62 NATO for ammo resupply at any town USA.

[@Sinky-06]

Excellent rifle mate nice one from the uk

[@tylerroehl11]

I fired my 1942 lithgow SMLE this past weekend for the first time. Definitely my new favorite rifle, even over my No.4 Mk1* savage enfield! I shot three types of ammo, 174 gr FMJ BT, 150 gr sp, and handloaded 150gr sp. The best groups were out of my hand loads. Neither enfields liked the FMJ BT's.

[@u.p.woodtick3296]

What is the recipe for your hand loads ? Powder, primer type ?

[@jacobtimberlake5032]

I want one of these so bad I originally found this to be my favorite weapon in battlefield 1 I used it enough to unlock some facts about it in the menus then decided to look it up myself and after seeing the mad minute and how they used them as “drip rifles” to cover retreats was ingenious I just love the history of the rifle in general

[@sarchlalaith8836]

I live in Ireland... But I want one so bad, with bayonet (and even the volley sights off the earlier models)

[@drunken.editor]

I'm not a gun owner, but I'd make an exception for one of these.
Much respect for what it did for Straya in the hands of the Diggers.

[@beefcakes27]

Buy a Lithgow, the fewest and best made SMLE's.

[@thehodge168]

My first rifle too. Bought that and an SKB under and over. Shame i cant have the SLR these days but hey, the smelly is first one in, last one out for me too.

[@NoGoBu]

I own No.4, starting to look for SML.E.III, can't wait to own one, thanks for the vid 🪖🇺🇸

[@MrConspark]

Another quality video Rowan. Classic rifle, love the Aussie legendary 303. You are dead right in saying every Aussie should have one 😍

[@ronaldfagan1889]

I have one my friend, a 1915, and I love it, hence I looked at your video. I'm really impressed being a yank, (I'm from Washington State in the USA), as you'd call me, just a yank, but, I love this rifle. so much history, too many wars, it's a lovely beast of a gun, and deserves respect, you gave it that, and you gave away your knowledge so generous...thank you for the information I was looking for, your video was perfect. Take care boss, thank you for your video.

[@djwoody1649]

I built my one up from a sporter, the front sight drifted well over to the right (almost comically so). Somehow, the most accurate rifle I own.

[@mikehoare1338]

Despite being in worse condition than all my other rifles, this is the one i like the most.

[@u.p.woodtick3296]

I just inherited a MKIII that has been sporterized, I love it, over engineered and very accurate, I would love to have one like yours, its a beauty 👍

[@Strelnikov10]

Always good to see some blue blooded Australians still exist. Pleases this red blooded American to see it. Keep it alive, mate.

[@paulgdunsford7469]

Joined the SMLE cult as of Thursday this week and have fallen in love with my new best girl doing good for 102

[@Parfashrek]

Great review, spoke with conviction

[@EldarKinSlayer]

It served The Commonwealth Generally and Australia especially well through 2 World Wars and numerous kerfluffles up to Korea. It is good to remember and honor your history. I feel the same about my M1 Garand, manufactured pre war and fitted with a repop M1 1905 Bayonet with a spear point 16" blade bayonet almost as fearsome as your 1907 ;)

[@dsar9489]

We kept the No.1 No III going right through Korea and almost into the Malayan conflict.

[@dsar9489]

18 inches of freedom

[@TheWirksworthGunroom]

Smashing stuff!

[@reddevilparatrooper]

I have installed the Model 1907 adjustable back sights on both my Lithgow and Ishapore. They both shoot fantastic because I can adjust for windage and fine elevation using the Vernier elevation adjustment as originally designed on the SMLE before 1916.

[@dsar9489]

Many a service rifle competition shooter has made the same swap.... Practical application in the field however, going to fixed windage really was the smarter call.

[@LogainLbue]

Great rifle, great video...hoping to get my hands on an Italian navy N'4 this year

[@garysimpson3900]

Thank you for posting this article. I have a 1916 Mk111* on my UK Firearms Certificate which is almost the same as yours save for the provision for the magazine cut off & mine has windage adjustable rear site.

[@dsar9489]

The sight.... one feature I wish mine had

[@SanitysVoid]

My Fav great war rifle.

[@ruthpinder1333]

Those rifles have taken more moose than any other in Canada for sure!!!

[@darrenadams1691]

Picking my Lithgow up next week

[@marcusnichols5595]

Thanks for the walk-through.
I have just re-watched the BBC / IWM / Peter Jackson documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old", and heard something new - at 1:07:45, veterans are describing a mad minute action from a shell-hole in no-mans-land.
One Tommy describes the event: "We kept up rapid fire there, as long as our rifles would work.", "They got too hot to fire any more.", "Crap?? was pouring out the woodwork of the rifles, the muzzles were beginning to extend."
I've never read or heard of SMLE's overheating, or becoming inoperable from rapid fire. Is this a thing you've seen when practicing your rapid-fire technique?
I asked Othias about this the other day, and posted on Quora, but think you might know about this from first-hand experience if it's possible to overheat an SMLE.

[@dsar9489]

Ive seen smoke... melted chamber flags . timber getting too hot to touch... but never an action lock up

[@Kysushanz]

Mate, bought one in NZ almost 55 years ago - a 1905 BSA for Five Pounds! It was so shot out that I used to feel the hot gases when I fired! Long since got rid of that old girl but have a good selection of Range Rifles, Parker Hale conversions, No4's and a No.4 (T). I much prefer the No4 over the SMLE. Also have a couple of very nice conversions .25/303 SMLE and a .270/303 P14 [270/303 is a great performer]. Got a real soft spot for the .303 - greatly under-estimated by the general shooting public.

[@Tydirium]

Love my 1942 lithgow, got her for 400 bucks in the nsw gun amnesty with a perfect bore and early cocking piece

[@dsar9489]

Gun amnesties are actually great times for us collectors provided people hand them into dealers and not for destruction

[@jsma9999]

Thank for look at this great weapon

[@alanjs1]

I've got a SMLE No1 mk III* but in original form with volley sights and the mag cut off. It's battle scared and beautiful. Each scar could tell it's own story. It's my first milsurp rifle and I plan on getting lots more!! Nice informative video. Wish I was as slick with mine as you are with yours!! Lol.

[@dsar9489]

Practise is your friend

[@alanjs1]

@Lilac Tortoise My bad. It's actually a ShtLE No1 ***. Not a MK3 at all. I stand corrected.

[@alanjs1]

@@dsar9489 Thanks for the reply. I'm from the UK and it's very hard to practice the types of shooting you enjoy there in Australia.

[@dsar9489]

Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire.. repeat.

[@davidwalker6887]

I brought mine the day I turned 18. I still have it and shoot it often.
PS. You have broken the cardinal rule, they are called "Chargers" Only yanks call them that other name. lol.

[@frankus54]

Every Aussie male "that's 'pack'in the gear" should own one of these (Lithgow) and be able to hit something at 300 yds. For aspirant new Australians, it should be part of immigration Citizenship ceremony.

[@alexvillegas6671]

Glorious

[@strayblackcatsmeow]

The SMLE was the first non sporterized rifle I bought for $98 US over 30 years ago. The wood looks like drift wood as if the rifle was under water for some time but the metal was not pitted or rusty. The gun has mixed parts plus a later bolt but the 1916 barrel had decent rifling. Fired about 10 rounds through it and it seemed very accurate. Problem was when I cleaned it, I found copper gauling midway down the barrel. Could not get it out so I red flagged it and tucked it away. Sold almost all my rifles since but would not sell the SMLE because of the unsafe obstruction. Recently, thanks to an Australian shooting club online, I found out about Sweets 7.62 solvent. Took about a week of stinky cleaning and soaking. The patches started green, then blue, and finally clean and white. Rifling looks clean and sharp now, almost new. All my surplus bandoliered 303 are now duds but I found some commercial rounds that will hopefully work next time at the range.

[@AlfJDale]

Great video! Would really like a full review of the accessories to the Smle the sight adjusting tool in particular! I'm using cast bullets from my c.b.e mold. Greetings from Norway

[@dsar9489]

Not a bad idea.... Will see what we can come up with

[@spudgunn8695]

Looks nicer than my 7.62 mm Ishapore No1. Mind you, that is just a £250 beater. Thing is it's a damn site cheaper shooting .308 than .303 in Britain!
But on special occasions the No4T comes out to play!

[@averageaussieshooter9696]

Great video mate👍

[@jjjferreira259]

My first and favourite also, 1941 BSA Number 1 mark lll*. These days the only rifle I can shoot with open sights, because the rear sight that is mounted way forward towards the centre of the rifle suits my far-sighted eyes much better. I cannot get any sight picture anymore if the rear sight is mounted right up close to my eye, it becomes a blurr. Is.303 ammo getting much more scarce and expensive suddenly, or is it just the result of the American shortage of 2020?

[@alexvillegas6671]

As an American I wonder if I should get one of these or the Ishapores you used to such good effect

[@frenchfan3368]

If you're looking for a World War I or World War II rifle, the Ishapore was manufactured after both world wars; hence, why I personally don't desire one. I imagine Ishapores are fine rifles, but again they are a post war rifle.

[@mattrich7998]

@@frenchfan3368 I think 1905 was when Ishapore made mk1 IP models. They started making mk3s from 1908 onwards but changed the designation in 1947 to the GRI on the wrists if the rifle.

[@mattluszczak6567]

dude that slouch hat!!

[@dsar9489]

Yes..... it exists...

[@jimmy2060]

that a peddled scheme, SSA on left of bolt on the back, not broken removed

[@abdulmananaburayyan1414]

V good which scope is the best for this rifle and what is effective range of this rifle

[@pcb8639]

My first real rifle was and is my No.4 MK2. I liked it over the No. 1 because of the sights. It was built in Feb 1954. I only shoot it offhand because of the brass butt plate, shooting off a bench is a killer for me. It's a great rifle. Good models are getting hard to find in the US, most have been sporterized.

[@TheOz91]

One of the things in my bucket list is to own an SMLE; or if I can't do that, at least handle it, fire it, and run it in a practical/competitive environment.
I'm actually curious about handling it as somebody who is 5'3" tall, which is about the average height for a Malayan soldier during the war and after. I wonder about what adjustments I have to make in order to develop a good shooting style. I strongly hope I can find out in the future.

[@dsar9489]

Well the 2nd AIF wasn't exactly all 6 footers like me either.... I think you'll be surprised how broad the ergonomic range is on the SMLE

[@TheOz91]

@@dsar9489 Little wonder why the SMLE was THE rifle of the Commonwealth

[@pajamalama2027]

first rifle I bought here, unfortunately the foreend just shit itself so its getting replaced :(

[@boarzwid1002]

Does anybody make replacement reproduction heavy barrels for 1mk3

[@philfossil3960]

Can anyone tell me what "GR" means please

[@BigLisaFan]

King George’s cypher. Georgius Rex or something along those lines in Latin.

[@samuel88andrews]

Someone needs to start 3d printing vintage stripper clips, those things are getting expensive

[@dsar9489]

I agree $2 a throw is rediculus..... 3D printing however I doubt would be durable enough.
They are only pressed sheet steel.... reproductions would still be just as cheap.

[@paulgrimmond6296]

I have an idea DSAR, for a build based on a LA102. Don't know if it is your thing, but iron sights are key to it. Interested?

[@dsar9489]

Would you be suggesting trying to create a Tikka Arctic style rifle but based on the Lithgow LA102? Iron sights, mag fed, wood stock etc etc?

[@paulgrimmond6296]

@@dsar9489 I don't know how to have this convo privately but I am open to ideas. I have an email from lithgow that may butter your butt a little bit.

[@dsar9489]

Take a screenshot and message it to our Facebook page, we’ll be glad to have a look

[@paulgrimmond6296]

I said nothing about tikka, but yes close to the lines of a t3x Arctic, but in a 102 semi wood. From the feedback full wood could possibly be easier and cheaper.

[@paulgrimmond6296]

I have nothing to go on yet, it is purely an idea. I will buy the gun and get it all done, point is I think it is a concept that can work. Post virus BS, I think it can.
However virus stuff, and Victorian I may be limited for a while.
That said I don't know about you, but a semi or full wood stock 102 would be a serious show piece.

[@intermediatenoodler6408]

Got weird sights with alot of moving parts

[@intermediatenoodler6408]

I got one with bayonet

[@reddogsaws]

They are a gem of a rifle to shoot
my full wood 1943 BSA no1 mk3 with handloads will get 1to2 moa at 200y but it can reach out to 600y easily

[@dsar9489]

Most people's pleasant to shoot hand loads drop off between 600-900 yards. My own included.
If your going to shoot .303 over distance, you really need to stoke your loads back up to Millitary spec. Effectively if your charge weight needs to start with a 4. won't m

[@reddogsaws]

@@dsar9489 most people shoot low pressure loads but my are loaded the same as mk7 ball (fun fact mk7 ball is not fun when you shoot 50 out of a no5 mk1 doing snapshooting hear in Victoria

[@steverichards9964]

People load soft loads? But why? Give me MKVII (equivalent) or nothing!

[@burville100]

Great review mate... This rifle is on my wish list for this year.I already have a number 4 mk2 which is in lovely condition.The SMLE's are steadily going up in value in the UK now. Anything from £500 up to many thousands for a genuine sniper set up.

[@dsar9489]

Default is $1000AUD for any SMLE now days. You can still get the odd No.4 for $850-1000.
Jungle carbines though..... Huge money.
T series rifles - Home Equity loan.

[@burville100]

@@dsar9489 Looks like they are increasing in value every year. Good to know that you probably won't lose money on one of these rifles if you should ever come to sell. Happy and safe shooting mate. looking forward to your next video.