The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle, or SMLE is a bolt-action rifle. It was the Medium-Range weapon of Lawrence of Arabia
Specifications
- Weight: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
- Length: 44 in (110 cm)
- Barrel Length: 25 in (63.5 cm)
- Cartridge: .303 Mk VII SAA Ball
- Action: Bolt-action
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,441 ft/s (744 m/s)
- Effective Range: 550 yd (503 m)
- Maximum Range: 3,000 yd (2,743 m)
- Feed System: 10-round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips
- Sights: Sliding ramp rear sights, fixed-post front sights
Uses
The iconic Lee-Enfield rifle, the SMLE Mk III was introduced on January 26, 1907. It saw extensive action in both World Wars, as the standard firearm of British and Commonwealth forces up until the 1950's. It is only starting to be phased out of the Canadian Rangers.
Test
The SMLE was pitted against the 1896 Krag Carbine used by Theodore Roosevelt. The two rifles were first fired into a ballistics block to access recoil and damage capacity; The SMLE was discovered to do more damage but had far more recoil. To better test the two weapons, the two teams were sent through an obstacle course with barbed wire and simulated artillery fire to kill 8 targets: 3 static, 3 moving, and 2 pop-up. The Krag killed all 8 targets in 2 minutes and 26 seconds witth an 80% hit ratio. The SMLE killed 7 targets in 2 minutes and 15 seconds with a 70% hit ratio. The experts were divided as the Krag was lighter, more accurate, and had far less recoil, but the SMLE did more damage and could hold twice as many rounds. As such the two were declared even.