No4 Mk1 firing pin & refinish

My No4 Enfield stopped firing. The end of the firing pin looked like it had been broken or chipped off, so I've order a new one from Numrich. Wondering if I should've ordered a spring, too. Any tips on replacement? Never done it before.
Also, the stock (rear portion) has some of that brown, smooth plastic like material they used for stock repairs. If a person wanted to sand and refinish the wood on this gun, I take it that it would be preferable to replace this stock portion, or is there someway to work with or work around the repair area?

You will need to buy or make a small slotted tube to go into the bolt body and engage the flange cutouts on the firing pin to unscrew it. Otherwise, it's pretty straight forward. If the rifle is cocking as it should, the spring probably isn't a problem.

While the bolt is apart, make sure it's properly degreased as that can be a factor as well.

If there's any wood filled in the stock, the British armed forces didn't put it there. I'd remove it and perhaps fit wooden patches if it was a badly damaged enough area to warrant it.

Thanks. I've ordered the tube-thing from Numrich as well.
The firing pin (striker) is my best guess as to the failure to fire.
The unfired rounds (decent ammo, new) show a dent on the primer. I tried several rounds, so the problem is consistent, and all show a dent in the primer. The bolt cocks and has a good, solid release when the trigger is pulled.

Have a smith with a No. 4 striker protrusion guage check your striker... It may be too short. otherwise, it may be a broken spring or some such thing.

Sounds like definitely the pin needs fixing. Honestly though, you could have just unscrewed it a turn or two and dressed the head back to round. Probably didn't need replacement.

I may try that and keep the new one as a spare.

Don't know where you live but IF your near Edmonton I will give you a hand with fixing it. I have the firing pin tool

Thanks for the offer. I live in the country of....I mean the state of Texas.:)

well I don't have any plans for a road trip that way.

and my work trips are looking like Norfolk Virginia and Savana Georgia this summer

Well...this went good...............not!
After removing the correct screw and soaking in penetrating oil, I broke the two "teeth" off of the special removal tool. I think the striker had been in there since 1943 and it wasn't going anywhere.
You know, I think I'm gonna just get a complete bolt from Numrich for $44.95. That's less expensive than just getting the parts I need, as well as another special striker remover tool. When they say "complete" do they really mean it....head, striker (firing) pin, everything?

I broke the little fingers off my first bolt tool as well.

I made a heavier one :)

I feel better now.
I got a complete bolt assembly in from Numrich.
The bolt wouldn't slide in at first. I noticed the bolt head wouldn't turn enough counter-clockwise to slip into the receiver. It was very tight, but I managed to unscrew it. Using 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper I smoothed the flat areas where the bolt and bolt head meet, then finished it off with 1500 grit. The bolt head lined up perfectly.
Took her to the range and it funtions great.
Lotta work to get a gun to go 'bang.'
Also ordered an issue WWII Enfield sling. My gun is a 1943, and the sling I got just happened to be dated 1943. Sweet!:dancingbanana:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by busdriver72

Well...this went good...............not!
After removing the correct screw and soaking in penetrating oil, I broke the two "teeth" off of the special removal tool. I think the striker had been in there since 1943 and it wasn't going anywhere.
You know, I think I'm gonna just get a complete bolt from Numrich for $44.95. That's less expensive than just getting the parts I need, as well as another special striker remover tool. When they say "complete" do they really mean it....head, striker (firing) pin, everything?

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Wait! You have a new firing pin right? Read the last post in this thread.

Was the old bolt serial number matched to the receiver? What number was on the bolt head? Does the firing pin protrude more on the new bolt than on the old?

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=341&page=2

Everybody breaks the tool. Especially if the lugs are too soft, or hard as glass. A decent one that doesn't break thirty seconds after you brandished it at the bolt is worth a good deal.

17-4ph 180-200kpsi h.t. No breakee in 20years...

I bought one of those striker removal tools for $50. It's not from Numrich.

I haven't tried it yet.

Look here friend, post 29

Removing Lee Enfield Firing Pins - Page 3 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

There is the butcher method. pulling back the cocking piece to expose the striker and clamping a set of vise grips on the exposed part. Then holding the cocking piece in a vise and turning the striker with the vise grips to break it free, (often the striker is peened ) You lose nothing because the striker is already buggered,
Now as for turning the striker out one turn to make the firing pin move forward, that ain't gonna work, cause the collar on the striker is stopped by the rear of the bolt head.

I ordered a firing pin tool from Numrich a long time ago. I was cast metal, and the teeth did not last very long.

One thing. Did you remove the firing pin locking screw from the end of the cocking piece?

Remove it, then soak the cocking piece in penetrating oil. You might even heat the cocking piece slightly and apply the penetrating oil when it is WARM, not HOT. The heat will expand the cocking piece slightly, and break any "seal" on the threads.

Any good machinist can make you a STEEL tool for a firing pin removal. If you have a buddy with a metal lathe, it can be done in well under an hour, including a beer while you are admiring your handiwork.

I like things a bit robust, so I use a 3/4 inch diameter steel rod about 4 inches lone, put it in the lathe, and turn about 2 1/2 inches down to about 3/8 inch diameter. Drill a 1/4 inch hole, about 1 3/4 length inside the turned down diameter. In the large end, drill a 1/4 inch hole cross ways for a 1/4 inch x 3 inch bolt for a handle to turn the tool with. Now, you have to file two "fingers, about 1/4 inch width x 1/4 inch depth in the end with the lengthwise hole. These fingers have to fit inside the notches of the firing pin, and are rounded on the inside. It helps to have an old firing pin (or the new one) handy, and simply fit the fingers to the new one, ROUNDING OFF THE INSIDE EDGES to fit the round recesses in the firing pin.

Again, make sure you take the locking screw out of the rear of the cocking piece. After using penetrating oil, put the cocking piece in a padded vise, insert the tool, and see if you can unscrew the firing pin.

The new firing pin should protrude from the face of the bolt approximately .040 inches.

Note. Sometimes people disassemble the firing pin, and screw the firing pin in one too many turns. As mentioned, you might be able to simply unscrew the bolt a turn or so, IF THE FIRING PIN IS ROUNDED, AND NOT BROKEN.
.

The proper way to loosen the firing pin would be to "TIGHTEN" it thus screwing the swedged threads "OUT" and to the rear of the cocking piece. Clamp the cocking piece in a padded vice preventing ANY movement of the bolt. Chase the swedged threads with a file and clean, oil threads and now remove the firing pin/striker by alternately going righty tighty-lefty loosey reforming the threads to a normal pitch.

Or if your stubborn and don't understand the phrase swedged threads just make a indestructible titanium bolt tool and keep turning the firing pin even if the threads start smoking and the cocking piece starts glowing cherry red.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...piecegif-1.jpg

Make sure you are pushing straight down on your bolt tool while removing the firing pin striker.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMGP6662-1.jpg

If the tool is not straight and aligned with the firing pin/striker the prongs will break off.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMGP6663-1.jpg

The following message was brought to you by the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Enfield Rifles.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0/08/pp3-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0/10/pp1-1.jpg

A good quality screw driver with a large enough handle and a thick enough shank is a good starting point. I have one somebody made that way. Saves fiddling with the cross handle or finding a suitable piece of steel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by busdriver72

I feel better now.
I got a complete bolt assembly in from Numrich.
The bolt wouldn't slide in at first. I noticed the bolt head wouldn't turn enough counter-clockwise to slip into the receiver. It was very tight, but I managed to unscrew it. Using 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper I smoothed the flat areas where the bolt and bolt head meet, then finished it off with 1500 grit. The bolt head lined up perfectly.
Took her to the range and it funtions great.
Lotta work to get a gun to go 'bang.'
Also ordered an issue WWII Enfield sling. My gun is a 1943, and the sling I got just happened to be dated 1943. Sweet!:dancingbanana:

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Did you do the headspace? I may be wrong here but wasn't the bolt originally proof fired to match it with the action? Therefor a new bolt may head spaces for a few dozen rounds but then go out of tolerance due to bedding of the shoulders? Then that requires new heads.