Bolt for 303 british

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deadhead

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Kenora, On.
I recently had given to me an old 303 that is missing the bolt. I was wondering how hard it would be to find a bolt and what should the cost be? the gun is GR1 1942 No.1 MK 111. I assume that it is a Lee Enfield? I know the gun is likely not worth much but I hate to see any gun go to waste.
Thanks for the help.
 
deadhead said:
I recently had given to me an old 303 that is missing the bolt. I was wondering how hard it would be to find a bolt and what should the cost be? the gun is GR1 1942 No.1 MK 111. I assume that it is a Lee Enfield? I know the gun is likely not worth much but I hate to see any gun go to waste.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

And why does it not have a bolt?!

In my day, the military would always pull the bolts if they left their rifles. Likewise, many of us over the years have pulled bolts and stored the rifle without the bolt.

So, what is the history of this rifle?
 
"...usually about $35.00 dollars..." Not any more.
"...assume that it is a Lee Enfield?..." Yep. Likely Australian made(not a bad thing). They didn't switch to the No. 4 for W.W. II. Might be Indian made too. Post all the markings on it.
Marstar lists complete No. 1 bolts for $75. A stripped bolt body(no bolt head, cocking piece or any of the firing pin parts) for $27. You'll need headspace guages and a handfull of bolt head$. You can't just put in another bolt without headspacing. Easy to do, but you need the guages and bolt heads. You'll have to try a bolt head until you find one that allows the bolt to close completely on a Go, but not a No-Go. If it closes completely on a No-Go, try the Field. If it completely closes on a Field, change bolt heads. Marstar wants $22 each for a stripped bolt head(No extractor or screw. You have no idea what measurement you need and headspace guages do not measure anything they just check tolerance). $19 for an extractor and its screw. That's a one time thing. Extractors and the screws are interchangeable with any bolt head.
 
Sly Old Fox said:
And why does it not have a bolt?!

In my day, the military would always pull the bolts if they left their rifles. Likewise, many of us over the years have pulled bolts and stored the rifle without the bolt.

So, what is the history of this rifle?
Click to expand...

I suspect the bolt was pulled for storage and has now gone missing. The fellow who gave me the gun told me about it over a year ago and was just now able to find it!!! It was in the back of a storage closet and no idea where the bolt is. I really don't have any history on the gun either but would be interesting to find out. It looks to be in reasonable shape considering how it was stored.
 
sunray said:
"...usually about $35.00 dollars..." Not any more.
"...assume that it is a Lee Enfield?..." Yep. Likely Australian made(not a bad thing). They didn't switch to the No. 4 for W.W. II. Might be Indian made too. Post all the markings on it.
Marstar lists complete No. 1 bolts for $75. A stripped bolt body(no bolt head, cocking piece or any of the firing pin parts) for $27. You'll need headspace guages and a handfull of bolt head$. You can't just put in another bolt without headspacing. Easy to do, but you need the guages and bolt heads. You'll have to try a bolt head until you find one that allows the bolt to close completely on a Go, but not a No-Go. If it closes completely on a No-Go, try the Field. If it completely closes on a Field, change bolt heads. Marstar wants $22 each for a stripped bolt head(No extractor or screw. You have no idea what measurement you need and headspace guages do not measure anything they just check tolerance). $19 for an extractor and its screw. That's a one time thing. Extractors and the screws are interchangeable with any bolt head.
Click to expand...
Could also be a KIWI.
What will happen, if you just stick a bolt in and fire it? Maybe nothing, maybe a face full of hot gas and brass.
 
If you can chamber a properly sized unprimed .303 case, you can put paper between the casehead and bolt face and get a good idea how much headspace there is. Not precise, but close and cheap with what's on hand.
Grouch
 
"...Not precise..." Doesn't work either. Paper compresses.
"...Maybe nothing, maybe a..." Maybe a bolt inserted into one's head too.
"...Could also be a KIWI..." NZ used Lithgows and, later, Longbranch No. 4's.
 
I have several spare bolts that should fit your rifle.
Complete with bolt head $25.00 plus postage.
Send me a private message or phone me at (250) 832-2541. Ask for Jack
 
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