Lee enfield bolt hard to close
- Thread starter Lash3006
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cdb1
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Lee Enfields cock on closing. There are a few older rifle models that do the same, mostly military. The vast majority of bolt action rifles cock on opening.
With your Lee Enfield when you chamber a round and start to feel resistance it's because the force of you pushing the bolt foreword is cocking the rifle. On the other type of bolt action after you fire a round and start to lift the bolt to eject and chamber, you feel resistance. The lifting of the bolt is cocking the rifle.
Someone will come along soon and explain it better than I can. The thing to remember is the Lee Enfield cocks on closing as opposed to cocking on opening.
Postscript: there are current Rimfires that cock on closing.
With your Lee Enfield when you chamber a round and start to feel resistance it's because the force of you pushing the bolt foreword is cocking the rifle. On the other type of bolt action after you fire a round and start to lift the bolt to eject and chamber, you feel resistance. The lifting of the bolt is cocking the rifle.
Someone will come along soon and explain it better than I can. The thing to remember is the Lee Enfield cocks on closing as opposed to cocking on opening.
Postscript: there are current Rimfires that cock on closing.
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Lash3006
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Thanks! I realize it cocks on closing but it still seems pretty tough to close it, it seems faster to use the cock on open action instead of the cock on close. Maybe I'm just a whimp lol but i can operate a bolt faster on the cock on open.
Sebastian the Ibis
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Make sure the bolt face is screwed all the way down. If it is one turn short when you reinsert the bolt, it will be [almost] impossible to close.
NIGHTLORD40K
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Is it the original (matching #s) bolt? If so look for any dings or burrs on the locking lugs- at the back of the bolt on an Enfield- also a good cleaning wouldn't hurt. Enfield's cock on closing too, unlike most newer bolt guns, it is normal for it to require a bit of effort to push forward, though the downward motion should be smooth and easy.
If it is a replacement bolt already, then the headspace could be too tight....recommend you have a qualified smith check it out rather than simply throwing another bolt at it.
If it is a replacement bolt already, then the headspace could be too tight....recommend you have a qualified smith check it out rather than simply throwing another bolt at it.
cdb1
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Could be something wrong. Take it to a gunsmith if you are worried. The Enfield I grew up shooting seemed pretty hard to close compared to the other rifle we had, a 1903A3.
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Lash3006
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Ok I'll definitely have a gunsmith look at it. Not sure if it's the matching bolt. Not at my house right now so can't check. Yeah it's definitely not a smooth motion. Thank you!
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Lash3006
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I would love a 1903! Ok will do thank you!
NIGHTLORD40K
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Let us know how it goes! Good luck, the Ishapore Enfield's are fine shooters and well worth a couple hundred bux to get sorted out.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Incidentallly, though I love my Springfield's, the Enfield action (when running properly) is far smoother, shorter, and faster. German troops in WW1 would sometimes report taking machine gun fire when, in fact, it was just concentrated Enfield's facing them!
cdb1
Member
We had a military surplus Lee Enfield and Springfield for hunting when I was growing up. No modifications to either. Bought a 700 ADL in 1972 with calf money, I was 13. It was a revelation. The other two rifles were stolen from my parents house in 1980. I was away at college with my Model 700. To be blunt I didn't miss those two rifles for many years, I do now.
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Lash3006
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Very sorry those got stolen, I would miss them too!
Col. Harrumph
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Lash3006 said
They were likely experiencing the effect of the "mad minute." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_minute
They were likely experiencing the effect of the "mad minute." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_minute
Nightlord and Sebastian gave great advice above. My question is how long have you had the rifle and did something change?
If you have always had this problem, then one possible problem is the bolt head has been replaced but never properly timed to your bolt. Another could be burrs/grooves/humps on the locking lug recesses of the receiver which are easy to check on a lee enfield. Also check the bolt raceway for bent rails or a "pinched" receiver (the receiver was warped usually during barrel installation).
If the advice here does not pan out then try the enfield experts at the milsurps.com in the lee enfield knowledge library. Lots of stickies giving useful info like how to install a new bolt head, replace the extractor, and so forth.
If you have always had this problem, then one possible problem is the bolt head has been replaced but never properly timed to your bolt. Another could be burrs/grooves/humps on the locking lug recesses of the receiver which are easy to check on a lee enfield. Also check the bolt raceway for bent rails or a "pinched" receiver (the receiver was warped usually during barrel installation).
If the advice here does not pan out then try the enfield experts at the milsurps.com in the lee enfield knowledge library. Lots of stickies giving useful info like how to install a new bolt head, replace the extractor, and so forth.
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351 WINCHESTER
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Enfields cock on closing. You are feeling resistance from the firing pin spring being compressed when you push the bolt forward.
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Lash3006
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Thanks everyone for your help! Turns out these was just a lot of cosmoline on the bolt and chamber even after putting it in boiling water. Used some brake clean and some safari land break free clp and now it's super smooth and looks a lot better!
351 WINCHESTER
Member
Make sure your chamber is bone dry, free of any oil before you fire it. If not you will have too much bolt thrust.
The simplest is always the best. One enfield that I bought still had the sands of el alamein embedded in the crevices of the receiver (half serious).
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Lash3006
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Had another question if you guys don't mind. Was thinking about refinishing the metal on the rifle including the bolt. What's the best(if any) paint to use on the bolt or other metal parts? Was wanting them to look like this. Just use regular blueing? Kinda new to this! Thanks!
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GunnyUSMC
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I don't care for pretty surplus guns. I prefer the ones that show some battle scars.
If your rifle has honest wear, you may just want to clean it. Whenever one is refinished, it will look pretty but you will have removed some of it's history.
If your rifle has honest wear, you may just want to clean it. Whenever one is refinished, it will look pretty but you will have removed some of it's history.
For an old rifle, yours looks pretty good. Some were painted with a paint called suncorite when rearsenaled which can flake off. Originally, I believe the brits used oil blacking on the receiver and barrel for the no. 1. Which is really not replicable (heat to 700 degrees). Later rifles had parkerizing, bluing, and ishapore has some kind of glossy paint.
briansmithwins
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Assuming you didn't fire the rifle the firing pin spring will pop the bolt back. During use the firing pin would be released Andy the spring tension removed.
There are theoretical advantages to cock on closing and the Brits did make the SMLE work for what, 75 years or so?
BSW
Ignition Override
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Lash3006:
Go ahead and do some refurb on it, but once it's obvious, the process can not be reversed.
You realize that it decreases the value.
One day if you decide you want to sell or trade it, you or somebody who inherits your possessions (and needs lots of cash) loses even more money.
Go ahead and do some refurb on it, but once it's obvious, the process can not be reversed.
You realize that it decreases the value.
One day if you decide you want to sell or trade it, you or somebody who inherits your possessions (and needs lots of cash) loses even more money.
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