Enfield Problem

[Silent-Snail]

For a reason I have yet to identify about every third shell fails to eject in my No.4 Mk1 Enfield. I pull the bolt back and the empty pops off and sits on top of the next round. I am getting rather tired of this. Also my B-Square scope mount makes a minor trial to remove them by hand, and just tipping it on its side does not always work :banghead: ( once had to turn it upside down ).

The ammo I have been using is PMC and I think Winchester( cant remember off the top of my head, but the box is grey and has a large red X ),both brands are SPs.

 

[Vic303]

Try removing the scope mount. I bet the case is hitting the scope mount & failing to eject. It may be intermittent due to the way you cycle the bolt (hard vs gentle). If removing the mount clears up the problem 100%, then you need to lose the scope mount. I never did find one that would work on my Enfields reliably. IIRC, the actual issue mount for sniper -T rifles was laterally displaced somewhat. I do remember that it bolted to the side of the receiver.

 

[critter]

To piggyback on something Vic said, remember that the gun is a MILITARY firearm. They were ment to withstand tough conditions and tough men treating them badly. SO-don't baby the action. SNATCH that sucker open like you are about to get shot if you don't reload quickly and it may work as intended.

 

[Silent-Snail]

My mount cant be it. I actualy haven't had time or money to even get a scope yet. All feeding issues with live ammo are pre-mount. Post mount, using empty cases same problem one out of three fails to pop out.

 

[Silent-Snail]

Hey man I jack the bolt back hard as I can. This gun was built for war and she shows it.

 

[Silent-Snail]

Vic, its good to know the mount is supposed to be off to the side. I couldn't get confermation one way or the other.

 

[rbernie]

I've noted that all of my Enfield's are sensitive to bolt speed - yank the bolt back vigorously and the spent casing will eject well, but baby the bolt and the cases want to dribble out or hang up in the action.

 

[robert garner]

Do as these boys state,you should be able to fire 10 rounds aimed in 20 seconds,don't try to remove bolt from reciever,
just move it FAST,
This was scary 'couse I'd never known of a malf in a Enfield!

 

[Vic303]

Snail, the mount I was speaking of as being a side mount, was the original military issued mount. Alas I do not know how the one you have, mounts.

Here's a look at the mount side--

 

[Mk VII]

the extractor spring should be so strong that you can barely move the claw. If otherwise, replace the spring.
Missing or deformed ejector screw also comes to mind.

 

[Dienekes]

The ejector screw may be short or worn by now. I replaced mine.

 

[Silent-Snail]

After I got home I did some tests. Same issues as before plus a couple of cases stuck in the extractor and I had a double feed .
I thought about the ejector screw but even with it to the point that the bolt will barely close, same old same old.

Also I have noticed that on infrequent occasions the magazine will fail to feed the next round.

On second thought it might be the extractor spring after all. This morning it actualy left a case in the chamber :banghead: . If this gun were a car I'd send it back to the dealer.

Assuming that it is the extractor spring, and considering my complete lack of mechanical aptitude does anyone know where I can get a new bolt?

 

[cracked butt]

Assuming that it is the extractor spring, and considering my complete lack of mechanical aptitude does anyone know where I can get a new bolt?

Replacing the bolt can give you a whole new set of problems with regards to headspace.

 

[Malamute]

I had this same problem with one of my Lee Enfields. I went through the gamut of obvious things, but to no avail. I then disassebled the bolt head and meticulously cleaned the bolt head, extractor, spring, and extractor recess in the head. It worked perfectly after that, INCLUDING when worked slowly.

 

[robert garner]

go with Malamutes advice also check out
WWW.Britishguns.net they also have a link to another
Enfield Rifle site where the weapon is detailed out for
nomenclature and disasembly both sites link to a Canadian
site 303enfield that has Books on re-loading accurizing etc.
I recommend his books, have both.
Should parts actually be needed Numrich Gun Parts Corporation www.e-gunparts.com will probly do ya.
The magazines often need"tweeking" to get to feed properly
a small needle nose plier and not whether the rounds are feedindin high,low left or right will soon straiten that out
no problems.
It was the 303 that finally proved to me that "paper" ballistics had little value in evaluating effectivness of a round
compare the 303 with 30.06 on paper the go shoot something,
less noise less recoil extremely well mannered,the Brits knew a thing or two! hope this .02 helps!

 

[Silent-Snail]

After some bolt disassembly this morning I have discovered that the culprit is indeed the extractor spring. The thing was so weak the extraction actualy improved after I lost the spring. How does that figure, a lost part and it makes the problem less bad? :banghead:

 

[Vic303]

Now you've just got to find an extractor spring...
Shouldn't be too awful to hunt down...good luck!

Edited to add:
Here, see? It wasn't hard!
http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=486800

 

[rbernie]

Wolff.

 

[Silent-Snail]

maybe its the lack of sleep talking here, but Vic that has got to be the funniest thing I've read in a while.

 

[Vic303]

Rotfl...Snail, go have another cuppa coffee! You need it!

 

[ScottsGT]

makes sense. If the extractor isn't pushing the shell over, it wont hit the ejector screw.
On the .308's it is usually the Magazine that is the problem.

 

[Mk VII]

that spring is the part I am most frequently called upon to replace.