Enfield bolt slightly opening

O

outoftowner

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Medicine Hat, AB
Picked up a nice little 1944 Longbranch from the calgary gunshow, shiny bore and everything (Just has W.P. carved in the forestock, maybe it was a dyslectic MP? haha) and when toying with it at home I noticed something.

When I am dry firing the bolt handle lifts up a bit, well about a half an inch, its the same amount as the slack when the firing pin is not cocked and you wiggle the bolt handle up and down. Should this be cause of concern? Cause I really don't want a bolt in the face, also I REALLY want to shoot it tomorrow, or I won't be free for a week.

Thanks guys!
 
no shouldn't be a problem. there was a post on here about a month back wrt this, put a fired case in the action, try it again, shouldn't move , otherwise bring 3 sandbags to the range on top/bottom behind, use a string check results
 
Perfectly normal. I have a couple of dozen Lees and they all do the same thing.

REALLY nice part is that they don't do it when the rifle is actually firing. That possibobility scared the crap outta me until I sat down one day, took one apart and analysed the actual geometry of the functioning parts. It can't open while it's firing, not unless there's something drastically wrong.

Still, I fire ANY new rifle, the first shot from the hip, head turned away. So far (over 45 years) I haven't blown myself up. Keep trying, I guess!

Have fun and welcome to the Wonderful World of Lee-Enfields!
 
It's a repeat of what's been said, but I don't see it as anything to be hugely concerned about. The force will cause movement where tolerances/ slack are present. You'll be good to go for the range.

Let us know how you make out! Welcome to the Longbranch Enfield family!
 
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