Enfield No1Mk3 safety question...

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MusicianShooter

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So when I had my enfield checked out by the smith at my local gunstore, he pointed out something.. he worked the bolt (ie. cocked it), put the safety lever on. Then pulls the trigger (nothing happened of course), flipped off the safety and the bolt clicks down to the "half ####" position.

The smith seemed concerned about this, but the rifle otherwise works fine, no headspace issues or whatever.

Anybody know if this is normal? Heard of this one?

PM me.

-MusicianShooter
 
MusicianShooter said:
So when I had my enfield checked out by the smith at my local gunstore, he pointed out something.. he worked the bolt (ie. cocked it), put the safety lever on. Then pulls the trigger (nothing happened of course), flipped off the safety and the bolt clicks down to the "half ####" position.

The smith seemed concerned about this, but the rifle otherwise works fine, no headspace issues or whatever.

Anybody know if this is normal? Heard of this one?

PM me.

-MusicianShooter
Click to expand...

I've seen the same thing on two No 4 Enfields. It appears to be the cocking piece that's at fault. At least, by swapping bolts I've seen it go away. The bottom of the cocking piece has a part that is engaged by the safety shaft rotating...
 
"...by swapping bolts..." That can bugger the headspace. Won't necessarily, but it can. Some bolts are different lengths due to long term use.
"...Heard of this one?..." Yep, but of course I can't remember what causes it. Mind you, I suspect Cantom is right. The cocking piece is worn. Another one, from Marstar, is worth $17. I wouldn't panic about it. The half #### is doing its job and since you're fully aware of what happens, you'll be safe shooting it.
 
sunray said:
"...by swapping bolts..." That can bugger the headspace. Won't necessarily, but it can. Some bolts are different lengths due to long term use.
"...Heard of this one?..." Yep, but of course I can't remember what causes it. Mind you, I suspect Cantom is right. The cocking piece is worn. Another one, from Marstar, is worth $17. I wouldn't panic about it. The half #### is doing its job and since you're fully aware of what happens, you'll be safe shooting it.
Click to expand...

I agree though, I don't like to see that situation where you pull the trigger with the gun on safety and then it drops to half ####...it bothered me too. I tried swapping cocking pieces on that bolt and the firing pin was seized so thoroughly on that bolt that the only thing I was going to accomplish was #####ing my firing pin tool...so I had to leave it as is. Sigh.
I do believe that a cocking piece swap is all that's needed. If he's lucky and he can get it apart...if not...

Have a look at this.
http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=341&page=2
 
I've had a similar problem with a Mk111 - when you engage the safety, the little pawl (with a flat on it) pulls the cocking piece back slightly and secures it. This should pull the cocking piece back from the sear, so when you pull the trigger the sear is not releasing the cocking piece.
However, if the pawl does not pull the cocking piece back, and the sear is still engaged, when you pull the trigger the cocking piece is released forward until engaged by the pawl. When you then release the safety the cocking piece is past the sear and you get the described result.
This can be caused by a worn flat on the pawl (fairly common) or incorrectly ground sear/mating surface on the cocking piece - likely from sporterizing.
 
Cosmic has it down. It's either the cocking piece having been ground or stoned too much while trying to inprove trigger pull, or the sear is too long.

It's usually the cocking piece that's to blame. Replacements are easily had. I'll bet you smith has a few in his spares bin.
 
I dont know if this is related but I have owned two #1's that would both fire with the safety in the strait up position,not having to be all the way forward.Is this just worn parts on 100 year old guns??
 
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