Enfield #1 barely closes on feel guage - solution?

[Ben Cartwright]

I took an Enfield No 1 that I recently acquired but have never shot to my gunsmith.

He tried it with a No-Go and it closed, he then put in a feel guage and it barely closed. so he said because he was able to get it to close on the feel guage (with a little trouble) it has excessive head space and is unsafe to shoot.

I cannot find a number on the bolt head, I unscrewed it a ways then screwed it back in. The only marking I can find is a "U"

Is there a fix for this problem?

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Not enough info there Ben......... What size gauges are you using for a start?

There is a LOT of info on this forum about headspace including some dispelling some of the sheer unadulterated horse shi.........., er.......... horse manure that is doing the rounds out there. Look it up, read up twice and come back with questions that contain the info we need to answer them.

[JerryEAL]

Put a round in it and see what happens. Eventually it comes down to that. But alas I am very new to the Milsurp game.

[Ridolpho]

Ben: No. 1 rifle boltheads don't have a number on them- that's for the No. 4. You might want to study up on the info pertaining to this here on the forum and then with a good understanding of the process, purchase your own set of guages. They're not that expensive. Frankly I haven't even checked it (headspace) in the last half dozen I've taken to the range for the first time.

Ridolpho

[Ben Cartwright]

Peter,
I will begin researching. This No1 Mk III is marked EY on the receiver and barrel, but doesn't show any evidence of wire wrapping and the stock has a really nice old patina. It was made in 1929 per the band between the butt stock and by the trigger guard.

[Ben Cartwright]

Oh by the way on the top hand guard ahead of the receiver it is marked "DP" Drill Purpose, I think this may be a wall hander. But I am still researching

[Ridolpho]

Ben: It was probably built somewhat earlier- the '29 on the right cheek is where the Indians indicated the date of some sort of repair or upgrade. The manufacturer date is illegible on the right cheek.

Ridolpho

[Alan de Enfield]

Does it say DP anywhere on the metal parts (action or barrel), or only on the woodwork ?

Was the Gunsmith an Enfield 'expert', and did he use the correct Enfield (Military) gauges or did he use the undersized 303 US SAMMI gauges ?

What size Feeler-Gauge did he use ?

[Ben Cartwright]

Alan
It only has a DP on the (replaceable) wood handguard, no where else. The gunsmith is a big cowboy shooter. I emailed him to see what gauges he used. I am planning to call Dick (I think it is) at BDLLTD, I heard that he sells No GO and Field gauges for the Enfields. I am also looking for other sources in case he doesn't.

I had tried a bubba trick with the No 1 before, when I first got my #5 I used a bubba headspace gauge, put a primer partway into a empty shell and then put the case/primer in the chamber and closed the bolt, the primer ended up even with the base of the case. When I did that with the No 1 it ended up higher than the case (as I remember).


I will try to get a set of the correct gauges and check it for sure and then if it fails may just sell it for parts or since I wouldn't get much for it hang it.

[Alan de Enfield]

Dont write it off before checking properly - the SAMMI gauges have condemmed a number of perfectly safe and in-spec rifles rifles.

Brian Dick (Boss man at BDL) will sort you out - he is an Enfield specialist to boot and a fair & straight dealer.