Enfield realiability problems

[fullm3taljacket]

What I think I'm going to do is order a new extractor, new ejector screw, and new extractor spring all at once so I'm not having to trial-and-error it for weeks on end.

Thank you both very much!

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[Seaspriter]

I've had similar problems. Bought one No.4 which had a No.1 mag. Another had a DP'd mag. Others wouldn't feed, some would jam, and one would not extract. Here's what I found:
-1) Use the right mag for the right gun. While you can get the No.1 mag into the No.4, use the right one for the right gun. Little things like fit and feed make a big difference.
-2) Be sure the mag you buy is "fresh" (New Old Stock). I bought on that was dated '56 and had never been used. The follower spring was brand new.
-3) Be sure the follower travels easily in the mag. One I had was too tight because the follower bound on the sides along the grooves. I took out the follower, then, using a Dremel tool, ground a shallow curve in the area of the mag groove, filing any hard edges, and then using a little grease to make sure there was no binding between the follower and the mag -- it had to slide easily.
-4) The feed lips are very delicate both front and rear. For me this was trial and error. If the forward feed lips aren't properly adjusted, you will experience failures to feed, and failures to strip. This can show up in a variety of ways: Last Round won't feed, Every Other Round won't feed, or something every round jams. The forward feed lips just barely hold the front of the cartridge in place. The rear feed lips must be set so that their is enough of the cartridge rim to be picked up by the bolt. This problem can be made worse if the mag isn't seated firmly and completely in the mag well. Additionally, the rear feed lips have to have the right "tilt" so that the round angles properly into the chamber when the bolt contacts the cartridge rim. And be aware that each of the rear lips must be carefully adjusted independently.
-5) None of this adjusting will prevent "rimlock" -- when the rim of the top round is behind the rim of the next lower cartridge.
-6) Lastly, in my experience, chambering a cartridge must be a quick, snappy movement. A slow movement of the bolt can result in cocking the cartridge, with the bullet jamming before it enters the chamber.

The extraction problem I had on one Enfield was caused by a worn extractor claw that intermittently grabbed the cartridge rim. It needed replacing.

[Beerhunter]

What I think I'm going to do is order a new extractor, new ejector screw, and new extractor spring all at once so I'm not having to trial-and-error it for weeks on end.

Take Peter's advice and ignore the ejector screw. I have seen rifles eject fired cartridges without one!

Just get a new extractor spring first. While you have to old spring out, check for "slop" on the extractor claw. That may mean you have a worn extractor claw screw.

However this problem is nearly always fixed by a new spring.