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.
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.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.
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!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.
I would love a 1903! Ok will do thank you!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.
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!I would love a 1903! Ok will do thank you!
Very sorry those got stolen, I would miss them too!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.
"German troops in WW1 would sometimes report taking machine gun fire when, in fact, it was just concentrated Enfield's facing them!
Enfields cock on closing. You are feeling resistance from the firing pin spring being compressed when you push the bolt forward.Hi guys I have a 1948 India lee enfield no 1 mk 3 and the bolt is pretty difficult to close. I have other bolt action rifles and they work fine but I'm wondering should I just buy a new bolt or what? Thanks
Make sure your chamber is bone dry, free of any oil before you fire it. If not you will have too much bolt thrust.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!
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).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!
Still having some bolt troubles. Is it normal for the bolt to spring backwards when I open it? When I open it, it springs back with a lot of force.