Ishapore 2A

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	Weapon: Ishapore 2A Type: Infantry Rifle Country of Origin: India Year Adopted: 1963 Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO Action: Bolt-Action Overall Length (mm): 1130.0 Weight (kg): 4.00 Effective Range (m): 500

The Ishapore 2A rifle was developed in India during the early 1960s as a modernized variant of the Lee-Enfield series, specifically designed to chamber the 7.62x51mm NATO round. Unlike traditional Lee-Enfields, the 2A featured stronger steel to withstand higher pressures from the new caliber and was equipped with a redesigned magazine holding 12 rounds instead of the standard 10. The Ishapore 2A retained the familiar bolt-action mechanism, rugged construction, and external design of the SMLE Mk III, aiming to provide a reliable, low-cost solution for the Indian military's growing need for NATO-standard firearms.

Production of the Ishapore 2A began in 1963 at the Rifle Factory Ishapore, located in West Bengal, India, and continued until approximately 1975. During this time, several hundred thousand units were manufactured, primarily to meet the needs of Indian Reserve and paramilitary forces. While it never saw extensive front-line service due to the rise of semi-automatic and automatic rifles, the 2A and the slightly modified 2A1 variant served reliably in various supporting roles and training capacities within the Indian Armed Forces throughout the Cold War era.

The Ishapore 2A has garnered a reputation as one of the last bolt-action rifles adopted by a national military for general issue, as well as one of the few Lee-Enfield variants chambered in 7.62 NATO. Although its production numbers and historical significance are modest compared to other Lee-Enfield models, it has become a valued collectible for military history enthusiasts, particularly due to its unique caliber and the enduring legacy of the Lee-Enfield design. Additionally, the rifle has been widely exported as a surplus firearm, where it enjoys a following among civilian shooters and collectors worldwide for its durability and historical appeal.