Restoring bubba'd 2A

[brianinca]

I've been lurking since Jouster moved here, and have been quite impressed by the Enfield data. I need help! SRF is my normal hangout but I see references to this site.

I just picked up a badly treated 2A. Cleaned the bore and it looks quite nice, might need a touch up on the crown but there is surely reason for optimism.

This is my first/only Enfield, I decided I really ought to have an example for my collection, and the combination of pawnshop reject and a metric a&&load of the SA 762 NATO in my garage drove my selection. The Ishys are NOT common around here!

Given that, there is quite a lot that makes no sense coming from a US milsurp background, and the novelty of it is quite appealing.

Now for the least of my worries - the 2000 yard sight seems stuck. Kroil is my friend here, I think.

The thumb fingered fool who chopped off the stock ahead of the lower band also absconded with the stock screws, so I can't see shooting it until it is properly restocked. The handguard has some interesting lateral patches and the loose buttstock has a big repair CHUNK at the top of the buttplate, so I'm not losing anything in this case.

My understanding is that the No 1 Mk III stock sets from Springfield Sporters will fit and include all/most of the metal. What else ought I put in my order, beyond a couple of extractors? http://www.ssporters.com/parts/ENFIELD1.htm

Finally, with difficulty I was able to pull the bolt, which was a relief as I could not get the bolt closed. I know the drill with cock-on-close actions, I gave away an M1916 762 conversion (hence 2K of otherwise useless SA 762 NATO). No muscle shortage, I promise.

I screwed the bolt head in tight, it was a good turn away from tight when I pulled it. Still won't close the action, in fact I'm a little puzzled as to where the locking lug locks!!

Recommendations?

Regards,
Brian in CA

Information

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[No4Mk1(T)]

Any chance of a few photos?

[Alfred]

I screwed the bolt head in tight, it was a good turn away from tight when I pulled it. Still won't close the action, in fact I'm a little puzzled as to where the locking lug locks!!

Recommendations?

Regards,
Brian in CA

Whoa there. the lug on the bolt head doesn't act as a locking lug, and shouldn't be screwed down tight only snug.
Hopefully you haven't buggered the threads too much by tightening it past the point it should clock in even with the guide rib.
The locking lugs are the rear of the guide rib and the lefthand lug at about 2/3 or so back on the bolt body.

The lug of the bolt head is an extension to house the extractor and has a hooked under surface that rides on the rib milled in the action body. It snaps down over a leaf spring at the rear of the bolt travel just in front of the rear receiver wall.

The bolt head does not rotate with the bolt body during opening and closing.

The lug should be even with the guide rib when inserting the bolt then with the lug of the bolt head just clearing the receiver wall at the normal limit to bolt travel you push the lug over till it snaps down over the little leaf spring I mentioned. This unscrews the bolt head by a hair less than 1/4 turn, thats normal.
In opening and closing the bolt the bolt head normally rides the rail milled in the receiver body. If its not on the rail the extractor can't fit into its recess in the breech end of the barrel.

[brianinca]

No4Mk1 - I have a poor picture attached of the hosed front, I resolved the locking lug issue when I fiddled with the striker.

Alfred - thank you MUCHO for the explanation, I did figure it out and there is nothing buggered. I got the lug a turn in (short of tight) and as I mentioned, wiggled around with the striker and it sorted itself out. I have a Remington 788, rear locking lugs but otherwise COMPLETELY different from an Enfield, but the mechanics of it helped me sort it out.

The remainder of my issues are

(1) determining the accuracy of what I've got with a buggered stock (at least two screws missing)
(2) determining what beyond a No1 MkIII stock I need to restore the rifle
(3) what spares I should order at the same time I order stock & screws

I'm inclined towards ordering screws first, as I doubt English pitch is a common item at my ACE Hardware store. At least validating a clean bore is an accurate bore might be wise, I'd think.

Thanks much for the input!

The Ugly:


Edit to add: As per my usual, the link to a picture isn't working, please find the following: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Regards,
Brian in CA