Why a half-#### on the Lee Enfield rifle ?

[canuck98k]

The half #### feature also allows the shooter to recock the rifle without opening the bolt if a failure to fire happens, try that with a Mauser.

OK. The Mauser cocks when you open it. Just lift up the handle, put it down, and try again. Great during deer season.

Thread Deeeee-railed!

 

[snowhunter]

I also encountered the half #### safety on the Danish Krag. That was the only safety it had, when it was first issued to the troops. A somewhat semilar side safety to the Lee-Enfield was installed later, which interestingly was of British origin !

 

[fireguy1]

It was always explained to me under the "kiss" method of thinking. The weapon was designed for pretty heavy abuse (everything from hand to hand fighting to driving tent pegs into the ground). Half #### allows you to use and abuse the weapon with no fear of the bolt accidentally slamming open (in half #### the bolt will not operate). Of course it is also another means of ensuring a loaded weapon could not accidentally be discharged.

 

[snowhunter]

Among a larger group of troops, the half #### feature might reduce the "friendly fire" accident rate ?

 

[tiriaq]

The safety on a Lee Enfield disengages the cocking piece from the sear, and locks the bolt, using parts independent from the cocking piece and sear. The half #### is a safety device, intended to prevent discharge should the cocking piece slip from the sear. It can be used as a manual safety, but was not intended to be so used.