SMLE safety problem

[sailorjosh]

I have an old sportered SMLE (no1 mk3*) (well it's my dad's but I'm fixing it and he's giving it to me BUT ANYWAYS) The safety is...wiggly. It does not click on or off - it just flips around loosley. I haven't fired the rifle, but my dad did and he says that because it's so loose, it always flips on after you fire and you can't open the bolt. What's the likely culprit? What part might need replacing (if any)? Am I just dumb and missing something obvious? I'm ordering some parts now, so I might as well get the safety stuff too, if it's needed.

 

[Joe Turner]

The flex may have departed in the spring that presses against the safety lever. Not uncommon. Also the actual safety collar that engages the spiral threads on the safety lever shaft may be worn. Usually it is the spring that is the culprit. New condition springs of original manufacture are a little more scarce than they used to be but I am sure that someone here will have a spare perhaps. Joe

 

[rgg_7]

The internal locking bar that rotates on the safety arm is broken or damaged resulting in this problem. Remove the safety from the rifle, ensure the chamber is empty, cycle the bolt and dry fire. It should work fine...post a pic on this site of the removed parts so we can correctly identify them. Parts are available..would recommend replacing the complete safety mechanism.

 

[woodchopper]

I have a parts source, I suspect that you will need a replacement as rrg7 suggests.

Post pictures and I'll check it out

 

[sailorjosh]

Thanks everyone, I think I found the problem - the safety spring (I think that's what it's called, the outside part that holds the whole thing together) wasn't forward enough - I bent it forward (by forward I mean inwards towards the reciever) a tiny tiny bit and now the whole thing seems to work ok - however I went ahead and ordered a whole new safety assembly just incase, all the parts are quite worn.

Thanks again,

Josh

 

[smellie]

smart thing to do...... spares are getting scarce for these rifles, best to have them on hand.
Sometimes a safety will become "inoperative" just if the screw starts to loosen off. A tiny dab of nail polish will do wonders for screws that like to loosen off..... and it's not as expensive as Loc-Tite and guaranteed easier to get off!