INFO ONLY. GALLERY PICTURE. NOT FOR SALE
Ishapore Manufacture, Overall VG+, In Cosmoline. Enfield 2A. P1-16
Type: Reserve Weapon
Place of origin: India
Service history
In service: 1963-Present
Used by: India
Wars: Sino-Indian War
Production history
Designer: Ishapore Rifle Factory
Designed: 1963
Produced: 1963-1975
Number built: approx 500,000
Variants: 2A (2000m sights)
Specifications
Weight: 4.7 kg, unloaded
Length: 44.5 in (1130 mm)
Cartridge: 7.62x51mm NATO
Calibre: 7.62x51 NATO
Action: Bolt-action
Rate of fire: 20-30 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity: 2600 ft/s
Effective range: 800m
Maximum range: 2000m
Feed system : 10 or 12- round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips
Sights: Sliding ramp rear sights, Fixed-post front sights
Ishapore 2A/2A1- the last Lee-Enfield
At some point just after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Ishapore Rifle Factory in India began producing a new type of rifle known as the Rifle 7.62 mm 2A, which was based on the SMLE Mk III* and was reworked to use the 7.62mm NATO round. Externally the rifle is very similar to the classic Mk III*, with the exception of the magazine, which is more "square" and usually carries twelve rounds instead of ten, although a number of 2A1s have been noted with 10-round magazines.
Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifles are made with strengthened steel (to handle the increased pressures of the 7.62mm NATO round), and the extractor is redesigned to cope with the rimless round. From 1965-1975 (when production is believed to have been discontinued), the sights were changed from 2000m to 800m, and the rifle re-designated Rifle 7.62 mm 2A1.
There are no other differences between the Ishapore 2A and 2A1 rifles, but they are often incorrectly described as ".308 conversions". The 2A/2A1 rifles are not conversions of .303 calibre SMLE Mk III* rifles - they are newly manufactured, and are not technically chambered for commercial .308 Winchester ammunition. However, many 2A/2A1 owners shoot such ammunition in their rifles with no problems, although it must be stressed .308 Winchester may generate higher pressures than 7.62mm NATO, even though the rounds are otherwise interchangeable.
The Ishapore 2A1 has the distinction of being the last non-sniper military bolt action rifle ever designed and issued to an armed force, and they are becoming increasingly popular with civilian shooters and collectors in the US, UK, and Australia as the supplies of affordable .303 British ammunition fluctuate.
