Enfield no4 Bolt

[EastBound&Down]

I have read on angelfire that you need a special tool to fully take apart the lee's bolt, ( a t-shaped thing)
Is it really necessary to fully take the bolt apart, or is just taking off the breech bolt head and spraying action cleaner down there good enough?

 

[Robert]

Unless you are replacing parts there is no need to tear down the bolt.

 

[Hummer70]

Those tools are expensive and break easily. I am with Robert, spray clean it or soak in solvent.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have read on angelfire that you need a special tool to fully take apart the lee's bolt, ( a t-shaped thing)

This tool is easily fabricated. Basically you take a piece of brass or steel tubing that will fit inside the bolt from the front (after removing the bolt head), and file two prongs on the end, that will engage the notches on the striker. You can drill two holes in the other end of the tube, for a transverse rod that will give you more leverage (although this may or may not be necessary).

Using this tool, disassembly of the bolt is easy. You first unscrew the locking screw from the back of the cocking piece, and then unscrew the striker from the cocking piece (using the tool). While doing this, you stand the bolt on end and press down in order to relieve the pressure of the mainspring. Reassemble in reverse order.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Yes, you need the tool to take it down. However, it's highly unlikely you need to do so unless you need to replace a part. Just remove the bolt head and flush it out with a good solvent if needed.

 

[Steve in PA]

I bought the tool several years ago when I got my Enfield. I had a C&R License and was buying several surplus rifles. When I got the rifle, I tore it down and gave everything a thorough cleaning. The tool is quite handy, but as the other poster said, it can be made.

 

[Sunray]

Taking a bolt apart was a weapons tech thing. Not ever done by a troopie. Just take off the bolt head and clean the inside of the bolt like you would a handgun barrel. (Without the brush.) Just spraying will not clean out any accumulated gunk.
A firing pin disassembly tool(it's also a front sight adjusting tool though.) runs $11.85 at Gunparts(Product #: 281780) if you really want one. For who knows why, Gunparts lumps all Lee-Enfield models under SMLE. It's just a tube with a 'T' handle and a slot cut on one end.

 

[EastBound&Down]

Thanks , I hope to get that bolt cleaned!
Right now its in pieces on my dresser
I'm going to have to put it together and shoot it someday.....

 

[boom boom]

The price is not high-GPC (aka Numrich) has them at 11.95 https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/281780 Sarco did have them even cheaper but is now out of stock.

I'm going to dissent on the just use solvent approach. If you have access to a parts washer or an ultrasonic cleaner, then you might be able to avoid it. I did that approach on several bolts until I had problems with a Savage No. 4 Bolt/Barrel combination firing. The problem was the cocking piece--so the bolt had to be totally disassembled to replace the defective cocking piece. I found enough gunk--hardened old cosmolene and oil mixed with dirt trapped in the bolt firing pin channel which are often quite rough due to wartime machining. I had bought the firing pin removal tool years ago as cheap insurance to replace firing pins. So, I now disassemble all Lee Enfield bolts, scrub and polish the bolt channel, polish the firing pin, etc. and then reassemble because these rifles for the most part led a hard life. One thing that you do need to watch for is firing pin protrusion when you put it all back together--you can also temporarily correct a too short firing pin protrusion problem with the wrench (but really need to buy a new firing pin at that point as the long run fix). Occasionally firing pins will also chip, tips will fracture, etc. necessitating replacement--good to have the tool on hand.