Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine broken firing pin

S

Stripes

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
27   0   0
Location
Toronto Ontario
Hey guys, I took my Enfield shooting today and after about 30 rounds I pulled the trigger, the rifle fired but the firing pin didn't reset. So after I ejected the round I noticed that it had punched the primer really hard. The two rounds I fired before had hard strikes on the primer as well. So throwing caution to the wind I decided to give it another try. Loaded in some more ammo, chambered a round, pulled the trigger and got a "click" when I was expecting a "bang". Gave it a minute and ejected the round and the primer was entirely intact. Firing pin never contacted it.

Took the bolt out of the rifle and we noticed that the tip of the firing pin was damaged. It still protrudes from the bolt but not nearly enough.

So my questions are what would cause this? Are firing pins prone to breaking on Enfields or is some other issue causing this?
What are the differences in firing pins? Do I need a No5 Mk1 firing pin or will any Enfield firing pin work?
Where would be a good place to start looking for one?

Thanks,
Mark
 
They're interchangeable . Depending on how badly damaged your firing pin is , you might be able to salvage the one you have . You'll need a firing pin wrench and a micrometer . How much does your firing pin protrude from the face of the bolt , in the fired position , right now ?
You'll need a firing pin wrench regardless . Worse case scenario , you'll need it to replace the firing pin anyway . I think Tradex has firing pins and wrenchs for sale , I may be wrong , but have a look .
You're firing pin protrusion should be minimum .04 of an inch ( 1.016 mm ) and maximum .05 of an inch (1.27 mm ) . I've done this a few times , if you need some help , drop me a PM .
 
Last edited:
How far forward does the back of the firing pin seem to be in the cocking piece? If too far forward (probably because of the 'hard' strikes) it not only explains the problem but tells you what you need to do to fix it.
 
Thanks for the information guys. Going to tear into the rifle tomorrow. I don't have the special wrench but I should be able to measure the pin protrusion. I wouldn't be surprised if it's under the minimum spec.

I'll take a couple pictures for you guys since pictures are worth a thousand words.

I appreciate the advice guys! I'm totally new to Enfields so I'd be taking shots in the dark without you
 
You can make a firing pin wrench out of a 1/4 deep socket which fits inside the bolt body. Then you notch the socket too fit the two holes on the firing pin.
 
Well I measured firing pin protrusion at 1.14mm so that's good and the firing pin seems fairly flush with the cooking piece so the plot only thickens from this point. I'd really like to tear down the bolt entirely but I don't have the tool and I don't really want to mutilate a Snap-On socket

Any other thoughts gentlemen?
 
hollow tube with two notches cut into it, to slip over the pin and engage it's notched retainer, iirc.

I remember there being a description in print media many years ago, alls needed is stout narrow tubing. Like 3/8" dia.?

Smellie would know.
 
Stripes said:
Well I measured firing pin protrusion at 1.14mm so that's good and the firing pin seems fairly flush with the cooking piece so the plot only thickens from this point. I'd really like to tear down the bolt entirely but I don't have the tool and I don't really want to mutilate a Snap-On socket

Any other thoughts gentlemen?
Click to expand...

Take the bolt head off and try to wiggle the exposed firing pin. If it's broken you'll feel it (or see if it's bent).
 
There are only 2 areas where a LE firing pin can break either in front of the collar or behind, if in front then removing the bolt head will reveal that as the broken bit will fall away, if behind that would be obvious as the rifle would not #### & you would be able to simply pull the cocking piece & remaining part of the pin out the back of the bolt body.
 
So I took some pictures of the firing pin and spent brass for you guys. It might be hard to see in the photo but the firing pin has that distinct broken metal shine to it. The tip looks pretty flat and almost mushroomed a slight bit. I'd almost attempted filing it back into shape and then just adjusting the protrusion to compensate for it but I've got a lead on a new pin and spring. I'm wondering if the flattened tip is whats causing the complete lack of contact between firing pin and primer

It also might be worth nothing that the only brass with damaged primers was Sellier & Bellot. All the Winchester and Remington spent brass looks completely fine





 
You would have to get a new firing pin any ways as you cannot simply adjust the protrusion by winding out the pin, you would have to remove material from the base of the bolthead as the travel of the pin is checked by the collar striking the base of the bolthead & not the cocking piece hitting the rear of the bolt body, you will need to check for a small gap between the cocking piece & body when reassembled as well as correct protrusion

MkVIfour.jpg
 
Awesome, will do. At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot that's with the bolt in the de-cocked position correct? (I've got that feeling that it is but just making sure) These rifles are a bit more intricate than the mosins and sks that I'm used to!

Really I'm more concerned as to what caused this to happen than anything. Parts usually don't just break without a cause right, I don't want to replace anything just to have the same problem occur
 
5THBATT said:
You would have to get a new firing pin any ways as you cannot simply adjust the protrusion by winding out the pin, you would have to remove material from the base of the bolthead as the travel of the pin is checked by the collar striking the base of the bolthead & not the cocking piece hitting the rear of the bolt body, you will need to check for a small gap between the cocking piece & body when reassembled as well as correct protrusion

MkVIfour.jpg
Click to expand...

You posted that photo just to make me jealous.
 
Not only does the pin of my JC look like yours but I briefly had the same problem with piercing. In a few hundred rounds I haven't seen it since.
 
B said:
Not only does the pin of my JC look like yours but I briefly had the same problem with piercing. In a few hundred rounds I haven't seen it since.
Click to expand...

Did you have the same problem with the rifle failing to fire completely as well? If your pin looks just like mine I'm wondering if the pin isn't to blame at all and there's some other issue.

The plot thickens
 
You have a line on another firing pin?

Go for that...no harm done and your pin does seem kind of suspect.

Lee Enfields are usually incredibly reliable...something is out of spec.

Member Gairlochian sells Enfield tools including firing pin tools for reasonable. He's in Nova Scotia and you can send him a pmail.

BTW, one thing to check is the safety timing. Try removing it completely with the 1 screw and see if that makes a difference.
The little spinner can go on in about 3 spots and only one is right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom