From the Vault: Lee-Enfield Sniper Rifle

This video focuses on the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 2 rifle, a post-WWII refinement of the No. 4 rifle. The description details key improvements such as the trigger mechanism, beech wood stocks with a tie screw and nut (replacing reinforcing straps on earlier models), and brass buttplates (contrasting with the zinc alloy and blued steel versions used during and after the war by British, American, and Canadian forces). It also notes that the No. 4 Mk 2 standard was used to refurbish many existing No. 4 rifles.

This video provides a detailed comparison between the Lee-Enfield SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield) Mark III* and the No. 4 Mark I rifles. Key differences highlighted include the sighting systems (tangent U-notch vs. aperture), action manufacturing design (complex curves vs. angular machining), bolt rail placement, stock and nose cap construction, internal disassembly complexity, barrel weight, and accuracy standards. The No. 4 generally features a heavier barrel and a simpler, more modern manufacturing approach compared to the SMLE.

This video parodies a classic infomercial to introduce the Howell Automatic Rifle, a semi-automatic conversion of the Lee-Enfield SMLE. It highlights the rifle's gas piston system, stabilizing bipod, and extended 20-round trench magazine as solutions to manual action difficulties. The presentation humorously adopts a 'Billy Mays' persona, contrasting the struggle of bolt-action rifles with the supposed ease of the Howell.

This video details the installation of a Geissele MK8 Super Modular Rail on an AR-15. Key steps include using a Geissele Reaction Rod for upper receiver stability, proper torquing of the proprietary barrel nut, and secure installation of the gas block and tube. The rail is then slid on and secured with two cross-bolts using a T-handle hex wrench. Final steps involve muzzle device installation and a thorough inspection.

Proper ammunition storage is crucial for maintaining reliability and safety. Avoid storing ammo in cardboard boxes in damp environments, as this leads to moisture absorption and corrosion. Utilize airtight containers like ammo cans and control humidity with desiccants like silica gel packs. Heat accelerates gunpowder and primer degradation, so store ammo at stable room temperatures. Reloading primers are particularly vulnerable to moisture and require strict airtight storage.

This video demonstrates how to upgrade an AR-15's A2 furniture to Magpul components. It details the removal of the A2 grip using a Bondhus hex set and the installation of a Magpul MIAD grip with interchangeable backstraps for improved ergonomics. The process also covers preparing and installing the Magpul PRS stock, highlighting its adjustable features for cheek weld and length of pull.

This video explores the custom Remington 11-87 shotgun used as a prop in 'No Country for Old Men.' The film required a semi-automatic shotgun with a suppressor, a combination not readily available at the time. Prop master Larry Zanoff details how a non-functional, 'homemade' looking suppressor was custom-built for the 11-87, with the iconic silenced sound effect achieved entirely in post-production.