Bolt Bounces Back on No4

[confed]

Hello,
I recently picked up an Enfield No4 Savage. The bolt flys back with force when I lift the bolt handle. Feels like its spring loaded.
I don't think this is normal since I have never heard anyone mention this as a feature of the rifle.

What could be causing this? Should I be concerned?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Lee Enfield]

from your description the rifle is cocked.

so it would be spring loaded...

[confed]

Thank you for the response.

Is this due to the cock on close style of design? I have used many bolt actions rifles and none do this when cycling the bolt.

[nijalninja]

Yeah its a Lee Enfield thing. An inch or so back from the farthest forward point of the bolts travel, the cocking piece bent (Underneath) contacts the sear bent. Then by pushing it home with some added force you compress the spring in the bolt body as the cocking piece stays in the same place but the bolt body moves forward and then down so as to lock it. Meaning that if the rifle is cocked and the bolt shut you will have a certain amount of force always wanting to push the bolt back, and when you unlock it quickly that force flings the bolt back. Keep in mind if you fire it or un-cock the bolt the spring force is removed and you can open the bolt without it springing back. That also applies if you just hold the trigger in when you close the bolt since the sear misses the cocking piece bent and the cocking piece slides forward to its fired position. If you ever pull it apart take a close look at the trigger, sear, and cocking piece arrangement to understand it a bit better. They are just robust and kinda odd old rifles.

[browningautorifle]

kinda odd old rifles

Really? Never noticed that...

[CINDERS]

"Odd Old Rifles!" I though they were pretty good considering when they were designed.....

[nijalninja]

Oh no no no I do not mean it that way at all. I'm a Lee-ophile more than anything but considering how the other popular rifles of the time worked and how designs have evolved you have to admit the Rear locking action is quite unique. I think it is. I would never speak ill of the greatest battle rifles ever made .

[CINDERS]

Was only joshing......

[Sunray]

It's why the thing is so fast to cycle. Perfectly normal.

[SDWriter]

It's why the thing is so fast to cycle. Perfectly normal.

Shouldn't snap back like that after it's been fired though. Right? Only if you lift the bolt w/o firing (i.e. while still cocked.)

Confed: Try dry-firing it. Then lift the bolt and see how it behaves different.