That is normal for LE rifles. Depends on what you mean by 'how much force' - you don't need to force it to close. Visit your local gun stores and handle/test the LE they have, to compare with your LB. It should be clear then. Or friends with LE.
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That is normal for LE rifles. Depends on what you mean by 'how much force' - you don't need to force it to close. Visit your local gun stores and handle/test the LE they have, to compare with your LB. It should be clear then. Or friends with LE.
Yep, normal. Put simply, the resistance starts when the sear catches the striker. When you open the bolt after cocking and without pressing the trigger, the bolt should move back smartly on its own under the tension of the striker spring.
Looks like a nice piece. I have owned a tremendous number of LB #4 rifles over the years and have yet to see one with the last 4 of the serial number stamped on top of the buttstock behind the receiver. So I am not sure what to make of that but it is a very nice mid war rifle. Congrats on a good find!!
Longbranch No4 Mk1 - Album on Imgur
Some quick pictures i grabbed today if anyone is interested[COLOR="black"]
---------- Post added at 11:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------
Thank you, I love it! And thats interesting what youre saying about the serial number behind the receiver on the buttstock, I just assumed that was a normal thing for the Enfields in general, or at least the Longbranch models.
Please dont take this the wrong way but that blue tinge on the bolt just in front of the handle up top looks like heating marks what say the others, looks a tidy rig good for you.
Cocking on close you do not need that much force realy, make up some dummy rounds and practice using the stripper clips and the cocking you can shape and glue in a pencil rubber if you want to get used to the 2 stage trigger or buy some snap caps to get the feel of cock on closing and the trigger pull.
I am not qualified enough to comment on that but life experience with 40 years in construction where one has a metal of a certain hardness and enough heat is applied to leave that type of bluing then it could alter the temper of the metal. I am just saying it appears thats what has happened others like Brian Dick, Browningautorifle, Lee Enfield and others are probably more qualified to answer the picture. For the minute I would hang 5 on firing it just to be sure.
Longbranch Bolt - Album on Imgur
More pictures of the bolt