Enfield feeding

[MattE93]

My No.4 Mk.1 had no feed issues last week, I then took it apart for a clean and must have not been careful enough sliding the mag back in as now the bolt won’t pick up the last round. The head of the last round appears to sit too low for the bolt to strip it from the magazine.

Do I need to adjust the front or rear lips in order to seat the last round higher?

 

[bgcameron]

Is the mag seated all the way in? I doubt you would have bent the lips just by inserting the magazine.

 

[points]

Give it a good sharp rap on the back end.

 

[MattE93]

Maybe it isn’t in all the way I’ll try pushing it a little harder.

 

[7ECA]

Sounds like it isn't fully inserted. This is part of the reason why soldiers were directed to only remove the magazine of their rifle for cleaning purposes, or when unloading the rifle in situations such as a muddy trench or at night.

If you check the CAF armourers manual for No.4 rifle maintenance there's a detailed write up on magazine maintenance and adjustment (if it comes to that). Another required check is to pull down on the front of the magazine to check that it does not come loose (checking for engagement).

 

[gyates93]

Maybe it isn’t in all the way I’ll try pushing it a little harder.

It's a combat rifle, give the base of the mag a good smack with the bolt open, it will love you for it!

 

[cosmic]

In addition, depending upon the shape and size of the bullet (eg RN vs SP), and the seating depth, a given round may offer more resistance to feeding into the chamber. Often, this results in the round stalling as you describe - and it usually happens on the last round out of the magazine as the spring pressure is the lowest. Tweaking the magazine lips usually causes more grief.
Given the spate of issues you've had with your Lee Enfield, stay away from P-14's and Rosses!

 

[jmichelin84]

My buddies sporter I had to tweak the mag, and looked at my sporter has no issues, and the feed ramps looked polished.
Can anyone tell me why his might have issues? The mags fine, and I've read about them not putting the front of the rounds up high enough, any tips?

 

[MattE93]

Could possibly be that the front feed lips need to be opened up a tad or back ones closed up a tad so that the front of the round so sit higher. On my the problem was a very tight magazine. When ever i reinsert the mag after cleaning I have to smack the bottom very hard so the mag sits all the way in. If I baby it when I reinsert the magazine then the mag locks in but sits too low for the last round which has reduced spring pressure to chamber

 

[jmichelin84]

Could possibly be that the front feed lips need to be opened up a tad or back ones closed up a tad so that the front of the round so sit higher. On my the problem was a very tight magazine. When ever i reinsert the mag after cleaning I have to smack the bottom very hard so the mag sits all the way in. If I baby it when I reinsert the magazine then the mag locks in but sits too low for the last round which has reduced spring pressure to chamber

Ok thanks I'll tell him to spank it, the front lips have been played with, the rears seem good, I compared it to my sorters mag, it's a Parker Hale refurb

 

[cosmic]

Ok thanks I'll tell him to spank it, the front lips have been played with, the rears seem good, I compared it to my sorters mag, it's a Parker Hale refurb

Well - Its not clear what problem your buddy is having? These old Enfields have been around the block, so there is no assurance the mag is the original. Tweaking the lips generally causes more problems. Tell your buddy to try different ammo, that may solve the problem. If the problem persists, particularly the last round not picking up - then stretching the mag spring slightly may be in order. BTW - Trying another mag can also give you some additional insight into the problem.