Enfield No.4 Mk.2 bolt extractor

[PanzerSchreck]

Hi, just took ownership of an Enfield No.4 Mk.2 so-called Irish-contract rifle. I removed the bolt as per instructions (so didn't break anything) and noticed the cartridge extractor albeit fixed to the bolt flip-flops up and down rather easily within the bolt-head. I would have expected it to be spring-loaded or otherwise "controlled" in some fashion. Is this normal?

Thanks

 

[LawrenceN]

It sounds like the small leaf spring that keeps the extractor under tension is broken or lost. Marstar carries the part and it's an easy fix if that is indeed the case.

 

[PanzerSchreck]

Thanks. Would I need the specialized Enfield bolt tool as well to complete the repair?

 

[Tinman204]

Thanks. Would I need the specialized Enfield bolt tool as well to complete the repair?

I've replaced the leaf spring on both of my Enfields. You don't need anything special other than a small screwdriver to remove the screw that holds the extractor claw. Pull the claw out and underneath that there should be a tiny leaf spring which sits in a small channel under the extractor claw. Slide the new leaf in, followed buy the claw, which will now need a little pressure to preload the spring and then insert the screw.

 

[Tinman204]

The Enfield bolt tool is to remove the firing pin and spring from the bolt body.

 

[louthepou]

I probably have a spare spring, pm me if needed

lou

 

[PanzerSchreck]

Thanks guys. I found a set on eBay and will attempt the fix myself. Shouldn't be too difficult for a former armourer, albeit many, many moons ago, hey?

 

[John Sukey]

I have replaced a couple of those springs without the special tool.
Take a double loop of dental floss, hook it around the spring, run the floss through the bolt head and pull the spring into place. Then cut the floss, and pull each individual strand out.
(a single loop of floss will break)

 

[millwright]

Where were you an armorer that you couldn't fix a simple Lee Enfield extractor spring issue? Don't take this as an insult,definitely not meant that way. Just curious on what you worked on.

 

[PanzerSchreck]

It's not that I "couldn't" but rather that I am unfamiliar with the Lee Enfields. I have since Googled how-to and have ordered the part so it won't be a problem at all. Having the right attitude and given time and the right toolset anything can be fixed by almost anyone. I was an armourer in an Engineers battalion in 1982 in Europe for my compulsory military service. Our kit then was German MG42's, M1 Garands and a variant of converted to auto-fire named the FAL BM59.

 

[millwright]

Thanks for the reply. Have any hints and tips on those firearms? Nice too have "one in the know" to keep us from going astray.