SMLE #1 Mk 3 Breachbolt head gets "derailed"

[Userzero]

Hello All,

A few years ago, my Dad gave me a Lee Enfield SMLE #1 Mk 3 made in 1917 in Australia. I recently became interested in firing it so I cleaned it thoroughly and finally went plinking this afternoon.

My cousin and me had a great time with it. We shot all types of old ammo my dad had, including some steel bullets. It was fun. My only complaint is that sometimes, the breachbolt head gets "derailed". (for lack of a better term, I am french so I don't know all the proper english terms) There is a rail in the action body that guides the breachbolt head and the extractor assembly, with a spring release at the aft end. But in my case, the breachbolt head gets out of its rail right in the middle of its course, as it is extracting the spent cartridge. I guess it is worn by years of use.

Anybody ever experience this, and is there a fix? I kind of like that old relic and would like to keep it in service.

Thanks in advance
George

 

[Third_Rail]

Is the rail damaged, or is the slot in the head of the bolt worn out? In the latter case, you can order a new bolt head. In the former, I'd like to know how it happened!

 

[DougW]

George, it sounds like the rifle is pretty worn. The rail and the bolt head may both be so worn that changing the bolt head would not really solve the problem. Besides, just changing the bolt head on an SMLE would create head space issues (not like that doesn't already exist) that could make the rifle very much unsafe. My suggestion would be to work the bolt gently and not too quickly and enjoy it for what it is.

Also, if you fire old surplus ammo, it is most definately corrosive. You will need to run some hot water, or a water/amonia mix through the barrel and on the bolt face before normally cleaning and oiling. Enjoy!

 

[Userzero]

Looking closesy at it, I think that the rail maybe slightly worn because it looks like it's rounded in the middle while it it still squarish at both extremities. But I am talking maybe 1/32nd of an inch. It's barely noticeable, but it is there. So it must be the slot in the breachbolt head that has the most wear.


Maybe I could ask a machine shop to add metal to the bolt head ?

And you are right about enjoying it for what it is.

Regards
George