problem with ejection for n0 1mk 3 and no4 mk 1

[boltcarrier]

i have the same problem with both the no 1 mk 3 and no4 mk1 in that both locked and closed ok but when i tried to eject the bolt handle moved half way up and everything is stuck.

can't move up any more and failed to open and eject.

please advise

Information

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[Bindi2]

Can you cock the rifle by pulling the cocking piece then open the bolt. Is the safety fully forward.

[Roger Payne]

Agree with Bindi. Make sure safety is fully off (forward), & that the bolt handle is fully closed (down), & THEN try pulling the cocking piece backwards to full cock......

(making sure you're pointing it somewhere safe if there's an unfired round in the chamber!).

[boltcarrier]

Safety is off, ie full firing position. after pulling on the trigger on the dummy round, i lift up the bolt handle to eject, but it goes half way, and stuck.

i had to use my palm to hammer it upwards so i can pull it backwards to eject.

[Alan de Enfield]

If it happening on both a SMLE and a No4, the same problem on two different rifles then I would suggest that it is 'user error'

Are you sure your dummy rounds are 303 ?

As suggested above - have you tried manually re-cocking by pulling the cocking piece backwards ?

[30Three]

What was the last thing done to the rifle prior to it failing in this way?

[CINDERS]

Are they a snap cap or home made jobs as on a whim it sounds like the case is getting cammed to far into the throat (The case neck and projie) and jamming there resulting in a hard to cock on open for the action, are you sure the safety does not move when fired. Hopefully it is the right bolt for the weapon but with 2 different marks of 303 me thinks its gotta be the rounds or user! Is there anyway fellas the half bent could somehow interfere on thinking it is not really possible for that as it requires the striker to be in the half cocked position, I crawl back into my burrow sorry guys!

[RobD]

I assume this doesn't happen on an empty chamber.
Occasionally the striker, when it is moving forwards when firing, can snag at the half-cock position; this has happened to me on some occasions. If so, try pulling back the striker to full cock - it will allow the bolt to be lifted normally.

[Roger Payne]

If exactly the same thing happens with both rifles & you have tried the above & it has not worked, then as has been mentioned, perhaps you have a problem with your dummy rounds? If the rims are thick you may well have a problem opening the bolt. If you have any spent cases that fired, extracted & ejected satisfactorily through the rifles, try those, if you've not already.

[Mk VII]

I had this happen with a Sht L-E I was handed to renovate, turned out a No.4 striker was installed and was driving into the hole in the bolthead.