i have a #1 mk3 enfield and sometimes when you open the bolt the curved part on the end on the bolt (face side) that rides on the rail of metal on the right hand sideof the reciever, it comes off somehow like derails its self and then the bolt will jam halfway open....
does anyone kno how i can fix this, sorry for the terrible explanation imk new to enfields....
First ensure that the bolt head is fully seated into the bolt body, check for a broken or damaged "claw" on the bottom of the bolt head.
Failing that;
Mk III's and earlier Enfields are especially vulnerable to receiver wear. It is quite possible that your receiver is worn out.
My test for receiver wear is:
1. ensure empty chamber
2. remove the magazine
3. with the bolt open, press the trigger and close the bolt slowly while putting upward pressure on the bottom of the bolt body.
4. when the bolt reaches the end of it's travel slowly rotate the bolt while retaining upward pressure on the front bottom of the bolt body.
If the bolt-head catches the front receiver ring than the action body is worn. Often another (larger diameter) bolt body can cure this problem. This is because the bolt is manufactured of a higher grade material than the action.
If bolt bodies are "polished", lapped or shined up, they can often be reduced slightly in diameter.
I've often seen "Epps" 1 piece stocked SMLEs fitted with hard chromed bolt bodies. However if anyone attempts this solution they need to remember that the excess hydrogen needs to be disbursed from the bolt to alleviate any brittleness.
