Function Check on No.4 MKI T

Was performing a function check on a newly aquired No.4 MK1 T. When I charge/cock the bolt I find that the slightest touch upward on the bolt handle will disengage the bolt and she pops open. I' m certain that if I test fire her, the bolt will pop open once the round goes off and I do not want to proceed to that point at this time. I dont want a semi-semi-auto bolt action sniper rifle. Can one of you smiths or armourers tell me what is wrong or what is worn out to cause this?

I have my theories, but then again only have just enough knowledge to get me into trouble.

Thnx in advance.

First thing. I can assure you that when you fire the rifle it will NOT open up again because the stud on the cocking piece is then aligned with the long cam groove. And to open the bolt, it has to.............. well, anyway, it's got to do a few things and during which an inbuilt safety feature called 'mechanical safety' comes into play. So fire it with safety.

If the bolt opens up when it's cocked and closed but NOT fired, then it is caused by the striker spring trying to unwind itself between the rotatable bolt and the non-rotatable bolt head. Take it apart and remove the sharp edges where the striker spring has been cut off. Carefully smooth off the inner face of the bolt head where the spring sits (just smooth it.........) and that shoulkd solve the problem

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