Bolt will not close on 1914 .303 Lee Enfield (SMLE)

[HammeringHank]

I have a 1914 SMLE that I bought back in 1972. Fired one round thru it.Cleaned and put away until now. I did not like the looks of the head bolt. I checked head space with field gauge and the bolt closed. Orderd a new "used" head bolt .010 longer. Bolt still closed. I decided to go with it..
When I installed firing pin and extractor, the bolt will not close without slamming the bolt home. The extractor will not go over the rim easley. Needs to be fitted. Does anyone know how to do this. Thanks for the Help. Hank

 

[bigedp51]

British Enfield headspace is .064 minimum and .074 maximum
American SAAMI headspace gages are.
.064 GO
.067 NO-GO
.070 FIELD

If you are using American SAAMI commercial gages you "may" be shorting your self.

Fitting a bolt head is more complicated than it appears, you have bolt head over rotation and bolt head timing or "when the bolt head contacts the collar on the firing pin.

1. Is the bolt head screwed in all the way?
2. Do you have bolt head over rotation?



The longest No.1 bolt heads are marked with the letter "S" for spare, these "S" marked are longer than normal bolt heads and are normally lapped to fit.

 

[HammeringHank]

The bolt head overturn is dead on. Aside from headspace, my problem with the bolt closing is the extractor. It needs to be fitted. How do I fit it. Hank

 

[bigedp51]

Process of elimination, remove the extractor and see if the bolt closes.

 

[HammeringHank]

Allready went thru the process of elimination. Everything works fine without a case in the chamber. When I install a case in the chamber the bolt will not close. The extractor hits the case rim and stops. I have to slam the bolt home. Again, does anyone know how to adjust the extractor (file, stone, ect.) so it will go over the rim smoothly. Thanks, Hank

 

[bigedp51]

HammeringHank100

1. You do NOT adjust the extractor, as the bolt closes the extractor is pushed to the right by the ramp on the barrel. If the extractor is giving you problems then:
a. You have the extractor installed incorrectly.
b. The extractor is damaged.
c. You have the wrong extractor installed.

2. I collect Enfield rifles and 95% of all Enfield books and manuals you see on the internet were donated by me for free downloading.

My real name is Ed Horton and if I can't fix, it it ain't broke.



P.S. My extractor works just fine so if you want help then just listen.

 

[HammeringHank]

Thanks for the info. I found the problem. "I hope". I went to another web site and a member told me "If you install a cartridge in the chamber and try to close the bolt, the extractor will have a problem going over the rim of the case. If you load 2-3 rounds in the mag. and let the bolt strip the cartridge, their will not be a problem closing the bolt. I will try in the A.M.

 

[bigedp51]

HammeringHank100

The Enfield rifle is NOT a control feed Mauser and the Enfield rifle was designed to feed one cartridge at a time. The Enfield No.1 Mk.3 had a magazine "cutoff" for single feed with a full magazine. The Enfield No.1 Mk.3* (star) had the magazine cutoff removed as a war time expedient to speed production.

Bottom line the bolt should easily close when single feeding a cartridge when it is laying on the magazine follower or inserted in the chamber one at a time.

The British troops were taught to load one cartridge at a time and keep 10 rounds in the magazine as reserve. At that time the troops were given commands as to "HOW" and "WHEN" to fire their rifles in mass volley fire.





Question, what website did you ask your Enfield question and get the wrong answer?

 

[HammeringHank]

I went to the Lee Enfield Forum. As it turns out. He was correct. I loaded the mag. and fed 10 rounds with no problem at all. The bolt opened and closed fine. Don't ask me why, it has something to do with the cutout for the extractor? I don't have the magazine cutoff. It's a 1914 SMLE with all matching numbers. It has a armorers date of "35". I don't know if I should get one?
Hank

 

[fguffey]

As Ed should know by know, I do not have the same appreciation for the 303 British Enfield he has, for me life is too short to be stuck with a rack full of ugly rifles, and for sure I am not as opinionated as he is, again, Hatcher moved the shoulder forward on an 03 30/06 .080 thousands knowing when fired the case would separate due to excessive head space, when he ejected the fired case it came out as a fire formed 30/06 Hatcher +.080 modified case, meaning not all 1903 Springfield rifles were identical, point being, A friend built 5 magnificent wildcat rifles using 1903 receivers, 5 of the first 10 cases he attempted to form to his modified/improved chambered had case head separation. anyhow, Hatcher's case neck shortened, my friends attempt in fire forming resulted in case head separation. and I told my friend I could have told him case head separation was going to happen or if he was going enjoy the same the same results as Hatcher when it came to forming cases, and I told him had I could have fixed the problem temporally had I met him at the range, after forming the case the rules would have changed.

The problem and advise are similar to Hatcher/s attempt at case head separation and my friends attempt at fire forming is related to your question, not a problem but Ed has the book out and that leaves out exception to the norm and assumes all 303 Enfield rifles are alike.

And he wants to know what Forum gave you the feed from the box advise.

http://www.huntnetwork.net/modules/wfsection/html/Ahit'S All in the Claw.pdf

F. Guffey

 

[HammeringHank]

Need Bolt Head for 1914 Lee Enfield SMLE

I am looking for a parts supplier in Canada or anywhere that can make a head bolt to my spec. I came across a parts supplier in Canada that makes head bolts to my specs. I did not save the site. When I tried to get back to the site and order a bolt head, I could not find it... DUMB. I've fallen in love with my SMLE. "I DONT WANT ANOTHER ONE, THIS ONE IS MINE". I bought this rifle 1971-72. for 10.00. Something about this rifle, I don't know what it is, I will never let this rifle go. I know theirs a lot of people that think the British Enfields are nothing but junk. I dont. It got the job done. It is a hell of a work horse. I have only fired it once in 72. I bought some ammo, went to the woods, set it on a rock, tired some string around the trigger, went behind a tree and pulled the trigger. The rifle was O.K. No damage that I could see. Cleaned and put away until today. I want to shoot my SMLE, but I want to be safe. The bolt is out of spec. using a field gauge .074? Their is no movement in the bolt. Locks up fine.
Can you help me and find the supplier that makes head bolts to spec.
Thanking you in advance. Hank

 

[bigedp51]

HammeringHank100

I feed single rounds all the time when shooting at the bench and the answer you got at the other forum is incorrect. AGAIN one more time, the Enfield rifle is NOT a control feed and single rounds can be loaded anytime.

They don't make bolt heads to spec, an armourer fitted a replacement bolt head and as long as the bolt head was within .064 to .074 it passed headspace testing. No1 Enfields do not come with numbered bolt heads and require knowledge of the Enfield to fit properly. (Bolt head timing and over rotation)

If you don't want to believe what I tell you then your on your own.

 

[bigedp51]

fguffey

The Lee Enfield rifle has nothing to do with Hatcher or the 03 Springfield.

Why don't you try and stay on topic.

 

[HammeringHank]

Bigedp51

If there is something wrong with the extractor it was wrong when I bought the rifle in 1971. The bolt closed fine with a round in the chamber. The bolt head was out of spec. by .010 plus. I replaced the bolt head with one that is .010 longer and using the same extractor and spring. That is the only change. What the other person said makes sense.
However, I don't dispute your knowledge. I don't want to spend a bunch of money to find out. It works great for me using the mag. Thanks, Hank

 

[dprice3844444]

hank try marstar

 

[RE Cadet 63]

This question is aimed at BigEdP51. You seem to know what you are talking about!
A guy in the company I work for found out I shoot (target) the 303. He said he had bought one years ago from Big 5, fired it a couple of times and gave up on it because the extractor ripped the rim off the brass when ejecting. He gave it to me rather than junk It. It's a BSA co 1940 Mark 111. The serial # on the breach, rear sight and front sight protector is L83442. The problem is the bolt, different serial # 78051. It's been well used and is covered in the usuall hieroglyphics. It has some Arabic script stamped into the stock. The disc is missing. What do you think. Is it ready for the junk pile?

 

[bigedp51]

RE Cadet 63

Could you post photos of the cases "the extractor ripped the rim off the brass when ejecting" it sound like case head separations.

 

[RE Cadet 63]

I haven't fired the thing myself. Next time I go to the range I'll try a few rounds and let you know.
So you dont think it's ready for the junk pile?

 

[bigedp51]

Below is a Enfield rifle with a reloaded cartridge case in the chamber that is ready to have a case head separation, the action has been wrapped with paper to show how well the Enfield rifle handles a case head separation and vents the escaping gasses.



Below is after firing and the powder marks on the paper, please note the paper is not ripped or torn from the venting gasses from the case-head separation.



My point being even if your Enfield rifle has excess headspace or headspace beyond maximum the venting gasses will vent harmlessly as the rifle was designed to do. The cure will be to get a longer bolt head that will bring the rifle back into normal head space limits.

Below is a stuck case remover carried by Armourers and many solders in the field to remove ruptured cases.

 

[Jeff F]

If there is something wrong with the extractor it was wrong when I bought the rifle in 1971. The bolt closed fine with a round in the chamber. The bolt head was out of spec. by .010 plus. I replaced the bolt head with one that is .010 longer and using the same extractor and spring. That is the only change. What the other person said makes sense.
However, I don't dispute your knowledge. I don't want to spend a bunch of money to find out. It works great for me using the mag. Thanks, Hank

Worn extractor or weak extractor spring or both. They are cheap and easy to replace and where I would start. Biged is correct, the Enfield can be single loaded and the bolt should close and lock on the cartridge.

 

[FROGO207]

Both of my #4 MK I's will single feed with no problem and I have no cutoff plate.