I have a very nice 1916 BSA SMLE. I want to clean the bolt but don't have a bolt disassembly tool. I was thinking of taking the bolt head off and either submersing the rest in boiling water or spraying it out with brake cleaner. This would be followed by spraying oil into the bolt/firing pin. Good or bad idea?
Cleaning SMLE bolt
- Thread starter Groverino
- Start date
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Take the bolt head off - that will give you access to the firing pin and spring. There really is no need to disassemble the bolt further if you use brake or carburetor spray cleaner.
Check the extractor for wear and gunk under it.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE. Wear goggles, rubber gloves and a face mask. I prefer carburetor cleaner to brake cleaner for a spray application. Attach the spray tube to the nozzle, aim away from you, put the tube down inside the bolt body, making sure the spray will exit away from you, and give it a good shot. Do the same with the bolt head.
When lubricating the cleaned bolt, make sure you use a good GUN OIL, not stuff like 3 in 1. Do not over lubricate as oil tends to thicken during the winters, and can slow down the firing pin spring.
On Military rifles, too many people tend to over disassemble the parts, even down to the last screw. This is not really needed, as these rifles were designed for rough use and very simple maintainence procedures. More advanced procedures were left to Unit Armourers who had the tools and equipment to do the job. Actually, the only really good reason for completely disassembling the SMLE or LEE-Enfield bolt is to replace broken parts such as a firing pin, the firing pin spring, the extractor or the extractor spring.
Take the bolt head off - that will give you access to the firing pin and spring. There really is no need to disassemble the bolt further if you use brake or carburetor spray cleaner.
Check the extractor for wear and gunk under it.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE. Wear goggles, rubber gloves and a face mask. I prefer carburetor cleaner to brake cleaner for a spray application. Attach the spray tube to the nozzle, aim away from you, put the tube down inside the bolt body, making sure the spray will exit away from you, and give it a good shot. Do the same with the bolt head.
When lubricating the cleaned bolt, make sure you use a good GUN OIL, not stuff like 3 in 1. Do not over lubricate as oil tends to thicken during the winters, and can slow down the firing pin spring.
On Military rifles, too many people tend to over disassemble the parts, even down to the last screw. This is not really needed, as these rifles were designed for rough use and very simple maintainence procedures. More advanced procedures were left to Unit Armourers who had the tools and equipment to do the job. Actually, the only really good reason for completely disassembling the SMLE or LEE-Enfield bolt is to replace broken parts such as a firing pin, the firing pin spring, the extractor or the extractor spring.
Read carefully.
BUFFDOG is talking about using CARB CLEANER on the Bolt. The stuff WORKS but it does have one tiny drawback.
Carb cleaner EATS CARBON.
Your GLOVES are Carbon.
Your CLOTHING is Carbon.
YOU are Carbon.
Be warned!
BUFFDOG is talking about using CARB CLEANER on the Bolt. The stuff WORKS but it does have one tiny drawback.
Carb cleaner EATS CARBON.
Your GLOVES are Carbon.
Your CLOTHING is Carbon.
YOU are Carbon.
Be warned!
Brakedrum cleaner is not healthy to inhale, so you use it outside and try not to breathe the crap. Flush the thing right out; the stuff will carry the crap out with it.
Carb cleaner we have already touched upon. The burns can be VERY painful and they take a long time to heal. Voice of experience.
I use brakedrum cleaner myself.
Carb cleaner we have already touched upon. The burns can be VERY painful and they take a long time to heal. Voice of experience.
I use brakedrum cleaner myself.
Hey Buffdog/Smellie,
What name brand oil do you guys recommend for extended storage time. I have a few milsurp rifles that I don't shoot and I oil them every couple months with Hoppes gun oil. Is this adequate enough? I should also mention that they are stored inside rifle socks and kept in a safe.
Thanks,
K
What name brand oil do you guys recommend for extended storage time. I have a few milsurp rifles that I don't shoot and I oil them every couple months with Hoppes gun oil. Is this adequate enough? I should also mention that they are stored inside rifle socks and kept in a safe.
Thanks,
K
I've used it outside on a bike chain before and it was unreal how the gunk came off of it.
