Removing bolt head

[mattra]

Is it necessary/proper to remove the bolt head to clean the striker and inside the bolt body after firing? Just curious about the typical cleaning procedures of enfield shooters. Should it be done or is it unnecessary if only shooting non-corrosive ammo?

If it is necessary to remove to do proper cleaning/maintenance, is it just screwed back in the same way it is removed, is there anything to take note of or to make sure to do?

Thanks for any info.

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.

[bearhunter]

If you're shooting under clean conditions and the light lube inside is clean. Leave it alone. Other than a perfunctory visual inspection, once in a while, unless used in very dirty conditions or wet conditions, all should be well.

[villiers]

We were not permitted EVER to remove the bolt head!

[Badger]

Well, if you're referring to No.4 Enfields, check these out ....

Perhaps download a complete set of manuals for the Lee Enfield, which includes operating and armourer's maintenance instructions.

The manuals may be found in the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here)


2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals (click here)

Complete Set includes:

- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Data Summary
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Parts Identification List
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Operating Instructions
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Equipment Description
- 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Maintenance Instructions


1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals (click here)

Complete Set includes:

- 1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Operating Instructions
- 1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Maintenance Instructions

Note: The difference between the 1991 set of No.4 Manuals and 2002 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals, is that the 1991 manual contains armourer's information on how to properly "bed" the No.4 rifle, whereas the newer 2002 manual does not.

Hope this helps...

Regards,
Badger

[bradtx]

mattra, If I've shot corrosive ammo I'll unscrew it a couple of turns and rinse it with hot water at the range after tending to the barrel. I've been told it's un necessary, but I can't help myself.

Brad

[Edward Horton]

I checked all the manuals Badger linked above plus the 1931 Instructions for Armourers last night and nothing is said other to check the cleaning/lubrication manual which we don’t have in our library.

The only thing noted in the manuals was the fact that the Armourer was to completely strip and dissemble the bolt once per year during inspection and clean and oil the bolt with GP oil.

I go further than bradtx when cleaning corrosive ammo and remove and clean the bolt head because I’m five time more excessive compulsive than bradtx.

That being said you won’t go blind if you play with your bolt head BUT as Villiers stated the individual British soldier was NOT allowed to play with his bolt head and the British soldiers were forced to go to Bordellos to have their bolts completely cleaned.

Just remember, removing the bolt head is so easy even a Marine can do it.

[Edward Horton]

We were not permitted EVER to remove the bolt head!

What I really what to know is how a British soldier of French Norman ancestry (Villiers) ended up in Berlin Germany and how many Bordellos do you own and run to support your Enfield habit.

And one more question, in the winter when it’s too cold to shoot do you do needle point to pass the time.

[RobSmith]

I can't see any harm in it to check for obvious signs of damage or bits of primer that may be stuck in the hole for the firing pin...

[Beerhunter]

We were not permitted EVER to remove the bolt head!

Quite right. Only armourers were allowed to do that.

[Edward Horton]

Mattra

I’m an American rebel of English ancestry, I also live in a yellow area on the map below and I don’t have ANY guilty feelings at all when removing the Enfield bolt head.

Even if I lived in a red-brown area below I wouldn’t feel any guilt about removing the bolt head especially after the British burned Washington D.C.

(Go ahead and get even and take the bolt head off unless your Canadian)