help with enfield bolt

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O.k. I've come in to posesson of a lee enfeild no.1 mk 3.It has had a good time at bubba's place but all the numbers match.Now the hard part it came to me wearing the wrong bolt.WHY?Can I put the matching one back?It fits just fine.
Also how much of a premium does the matching numbers add?
 
Are you saying that it came with two bolts? The matching numbers one plus another?
From what I know of Enfields you can't just slide in any old bolt and safely shoot them, but I may stand corrected soon when the experts weigh in.
Congrats on your new LE, at any rate!
 
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proonur said:
Are you saying that it came with two bolts? The matching numbers one plus another?
From what I know of Enfields you can't just slide in any old bolt hand safely shoot them, but I may stand corrected soon when the experts weigh in.
Congrats on your new LE, at any rate!
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thanks! and yes it came with 2 bolts but the matching numbers wasnt in the gun the other one was!!!!
 
It's always better if all the numbers match, if bubba cut the wood you can just get the wood for it. My question is why would he take the bolt out that matched the rifle. Headspacing maybe?

Pic's would help also, there are many experienced de-bubbafiers on the board
 
sarge said:
It's always better if all the numbers match, if bubba cut the wood you can just get the wood for it. My question is why would he take the bolt out that matched the rifle. Headspacing maybe?

Pic's would help also, there are many experienced de-bubbafiers on the board
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head space is what I was thinking.................as for pics I dont know how!
 
If it's a headspace issue the bolt head can be replaced easily on LE's to correct for that, but you should have a gunsmith measure it to confirm which number of bolt head needs to be used instead. There's no need to replace the whole bolt to correct it.
 
First I'd have someone check the headspace with both bolts on (drop by my place if you're in Gatineau :) )

If that's the reason the bolt were swaped and the rifle was mine, I'd try to get a bolt head that provides good headspace on the matching number bolt. It still won't be worth a whole lot but it would be a more interesting rifle for a portion of the Enfield freaks (no no, I'm not talking about myself of course not)

Lou
 
"...bolt head can be replaced easily on LE's..." Yep. However, No. 1 bolt heads are not numbered. You need a handful to try with headspace guages until you find one that doesn't close on a No-Go.
It's entirely possible that both bolts give ok headspace. Mind you, it's also possible that neither of 'em do. Matching numbers doesn't mean the headspace is ok. the bolt head may have been changed sometime in the psst. Check 'em both.
 
O.k. so I gotta get 2 bolts checked out.Now who would do that in or near vancover and how much?
 
trying to avoid the island cuz I'll wake up on a fishing boat and my girlfreind sez I gotta stop that!!!!
 
Shoot the blang thing.

Lee Enfields are forgiving and shooting it will tell...you won't hurt yourself in trying. If the head space is bad one way you won't close the bolt. If the other way there will be all kinds of extraction and broken case problems. Makes a man of you, all those IA's and stopages.
 
bogusiii said:
Lee Enfields are forgiving and shooting it will tell...you won't hurt yourself in trying. If the head space is bad one way you won't close the bolt. If the other way there will be all kinds of extraction and broken case problems. Makes a man of you, all those IA's and stopages.
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And thats what I want to hear!!!!at least I can giver a go!!!
 
thebigmikehanson said:
And thats what I want to hear!!!!at least I can giver a go!!!
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Mike- I'd suggest planning to put in the matching numbers bolt, but first miking the thickness of the bolt head (threads out easily) on both bolts and using the thickest/longest one with the matching numbers bolt, thus making the headspace as tight as possible. Some SMLE's are pretty stretched and as was mentioned there must be a reason why someone dropped in a non matching bolt...yeah you should check the headspace everything considered.
 
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Well - There are other considerations. Swapping out bolt heads can create some additional problems. As designed, the LE uses the rear face of the bolt head to act as the bolt stop, and establish firing pin protrusion. I've seen several rifles where the rear face had been ground down to accomodate a damaged firing pin that had been reground to a shorter length. (Saves having to replace the pin...)
So, if you swap one of these bolt heads into a stock rifle, the firing pin protrusion will be too much, and you run the risk of pierced primers.
Suggest you keep the boltheads as is. Shoot it with the non matching bolt, after checking for function. Take fired case, as see if it chambers with the matching bolt in place. This will tell you which is tighter...
BTW - If you intend to reload, then you can resize to match the chamber, eliminating any headspace issue. This will also give you the best accuracy potential.
 
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cosmic said:
Well - There are other considerations. Swapping out bolt heads can create some additional problems. As designed, the LE uses the rear face of the bolt head to act as the bolt stop, and establish firing pin protrusion. I've seen several rifles where the rear face had been ground down to accomodate a damaged firing pin that had been reground to a shorter length. (Saves having to replace the pin...)
So, if you swap one of these bolt heads into a stock rifle, the firing pin protrusion will be too much, and you run the risk of pierced primers.
Suggest you keep the boltheads as is. Shoot it with the non matching bolt, after checking for function. Take fired case, as see if it chambers with the matching bolt in place. This will tell you which is tighter...
BTW - If you intend to reload, then you can resize to match the chamber, eliminating any headspace issue. This will also give you the best accuracy potential.
Click to expand...

geez I think I'm in over my head.I just want it to go boom and maybe hit a pie plate.
 
Fire one round, check the ejected brass. Fire another round with other bolt, check ejector brass. Then advise on what is the next step, following consideration of previous two steps :)

Lou
 
Save yourself so money, either Numrich Gun Parts Corporation or Brownells will have "Go & No Go" gauges for sale. Far cheaper than sending to a gunsmith.
 
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