I met a guy while I was out deer hunting, and he told me he has a 1943 Lee Enfield, Longbranch. Doesn't remember what model number. He says it has a good bore, but the bolt is missing. How feasible is it to find another bolt? Waste of time and money, or are bolts reasonably cheap and easy to adjust for headspace?
Finding a replacement bolt for a L-E
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
Great, so there is hope. Any idea what kind of price these bolts fetch? Are they common? He doesn't want to spend a lot of doe, its for the hog barn. They have to put down some of the big sows that get sick and aren't getting better. He says the 22 isn't good on the big one's and its a nasty environment for a decent rifle. Maybe the humidity and ammonia corrode's metal.
Long Branch = No4 Mk1 or No4 Mk1* . The difference does affect the bolt so he needs to know before he orders a replacement. I think 1943 production is almost certainly going to be Mk1*, but he needs to check the marking on his rifle.
Lee Enfield Bolts
Not true! That only works on the original, matching bolt! Lee-Enfield bolts were individually fitted to each rifle, and if you simply insert any old bolt, there is a VERY real possibility that only one lug will be touching. You must strip the bolt, and put something on the locking lugs. Liquid Paper works well. Insert the bolt all the way forward, and turn the handle down. Then, push back on the bolt, while moving the handle up and down slightly. Push the bolt forward, then turn the handle up and remove it. Look at the locking lugs, and you'll be able to see if both lugs are bearing equally. In my experience, this almost never happens. If they don't bear equally, you'll have to stone, NOT file, the lug that IS touching, until they both touch. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the importance of this!! Because the Lee action locks from the rear, a bolt that locks on only one lug can severely strain the action. NEVER, but NEVER EVER swap Lee bolts!
Not true! That only works on the original, matching bolt! Lee-Enfield bolts were individually fitted to each rifle, and if you simply insert any old bolt, there is a VERY real possibility that only one lug will be touching. You must strip the bolt, and put something on the locking lugs. Liquid Paper works well. Insert the bolt all the way forward, and turn the handle down. Then, push back on the bolt, while moving the handle up and down slightly. Push the bolt forward, then turn the handle up and remove it. Look at the locking lugs, and you'll be able to see if both lugs are bearing equally. In my experience, this almost never happens. If they don't bear equally, you'll have to stone, NOT file, the lug that IS touching, until they both touch. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the importance of this!! Because the Lee action locks from the rear, a bolt that locks on only one lug can severely strain the action. NEVER, but NEVER EVER swap Lee bolts!
"...screwing on a different numbered bolt head..." In conjunction with a complete set of headspace guages only. It doesn't matter if the serial numbers match or not. Bolt heads aren't cheap either. However, it is an easy job if you have a supply of bolt heads.
