1944 GRI No.1 MKIII

[SRiverrat11]

It's the first time I've been on the Enfield page but have had one for several years. After looking in the old threads and not finding what I'm looking for I would like to ask the experts. Can I just change one No.1 MKIII bolt for another or do I need it headspaced or anything else?

Information

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[Mk VII]

Often they will not interchange, and the use of the correct gauges is desirable to check CHS, striker protrusion, bolthead overturn, etc.

[SRiverrat11]

Often they will not interchange, and the use of the correct gauges is desirable to check CHS, striker protrusion, bolthead overturn, etc.

Thank you. That's discouraging. My bolt seems to have broke somehow. I took it to a gunsmith who said a "clip" or some piece broke off the bolt and it wouldn't close properly, which it doesn't. I finally found one on GB and bought it. I might have wasted $125.

[browningautorifle]

I took it to a gunsmith who said a "clip" or some piece broke off the bolt

Maybe you could show us a pic and we can help a bit more...to see what's actually at fault.

[SRiverrat11]

Maybe you could show us a pic and we can help a bit more...to see what's actually at fault.

Right now all I have is my smart phone. So no pictures right now. I will try to figure out pics in a bit. I see no real difference between the two bolts externally. When I pull the old bolt part back(and it pulls the firing pin back) and release it quickly it doesn't snap forward like the replacement bolt does. Could it need a new spring? I no almost nothing about MKIII's.

[Alan de Enfield]

The bolts are not directly interchangeable, they certainly are not 'plug & play' & whilst it may 'fit and function', it needs 'FITTING' (as in work needed grinding etc) properly otherwise it could take all the recoil on one locking lug, which could lead to lug failure.

It is not impossible to 'fit' an old bolt into an old rifle but it does take some skill and knowledge.

In addition as MKVII said, there are all sorts of little bits & pieces that need tuning to get it to specification.

[army1882]

If the original bolt body and bolt head are still ok, you may be able to replace the faulty part with one from the "new" bolt and make up a serviceable, properly headspaced bolt. Any left over serviceable parts you can sell to offset the costs.

[CINDERS]

Could be any number of reasons but you explain 2 maladies with it A) It wont close 'cause a bit broke off? What bit!! B) Then you say the striker when pulled back part ways wont snap forward like the other bolt it could be full of crap inside the bolt youve owned it for several years shooting it and we know little of how you cared for the rifle. We as shooters do pull the bolts down to clean the internals check protrusion and the F.P head for roundness and ensure the inside is clean and lightly lubricated. Who knows the spring may be cactus I always relieve the striker spring tension when my bolts are out of the rifle and stored. I'm just wondering if the bolt is at half cock you wont close the bolt on half cock anyway there are plenty smarter gunny's here than my experience with the Lee line.

[SRiverrat11]

Could be any number of reasons but you explain 2 maladies with it A) It wont close 'cause a bit broke off? What bit!! B) Then you say the striker when pulled back part ways wont snap forward like the other bolt it could be full of crap inside the bolt youve owned it for several years shooting it and we know little of how you cared for the rifle. We as shooters do pull the bolts down to clean the internals check protrusion and the F.P head for roundness and ensure the inside is clean and lightly lubricated. Who knows the spring may be cactus I always relieve the striker spring tension when my bolts are out of the rifle and stored. I'm just wondering if the bolt is at half cock you wont close the bolt on half cock anyway there are plenty smarter gunny's here than my experience with the Lee line.

The rifle bolt had two malfunctions after firing it(6+ years ago) I took it to a gunsmith who I don't think knew much about military weapons( I had him look at an M1 Carbine for me too. I knew more) He said I needed a new bolt because a clip broke off, and the bolt would not close properly if I fired it again. The rifle has set for quite awhile. Now, I've found a replacement bolt and started this thread. After taking the bolts apart as far as I could, and oiling them I'm finding both bolts work well in the rifle. I still need to find someone who knows LE's a little because I don't want the bolt coming back at me if I fire it.

[SRiverrat11]

This is the bolt the gunsmith said was broke.