+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Bolt Hold Open Spring

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gjwardman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last On
    11-28-2010 @ 05:46 PM
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:37 AM

    Bolt Hold Open Spring

    I've got a L1A1 and would like the bolt hold open pin to activate on an empty magazine. I have taken the pin out and there is a spring already in there, but it does not hold the bolt open. I have a new spring, but I can't find any illustrations or directions on how to replace it...can anyone help?
    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.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:37 PM
    It's not the spring. If it's English or Austrailian, it needs a pin installed in the hold open device to engage the rear of the mag follower. The hole is visible in the HOD and you need to put a pin in it. Check to see it's not too long. It faces forward and flush at the rear.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gjwardman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last On
    11-28-2010 @ 05:46 PM
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    It's not the spring. If it's English or Austrailian, it needs a pin installed in the hold open device to engage the rear of the mag follower. The hole is visible in the HOD and you need to put a pin in it. Check to see it's not too long. It faces forward and flush at the rear.
    The pin is there. There is a spring inside of it, but it actually pushes the whole rod 'down'.
    It is Australianicon with the sand cuts...
    Last edited by gjwardman; 07-04-2010 at 10:51 AM. Reason: left something out

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    10:37 PM
    Then there's nothing wrong. When there's no mag in the rifle, it will stay disengaged. The mag follower pushes it up. The whole affair is an assembly anyway I think. I don't think they were meant to be rebuilt...

  7. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gjwardman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last On
    11-28-2010 @ 05:46 PM
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    Then there's nothing wrong. When there's no mag in the rifle, it will stay disengaged. The mag follower pushes it up. The whole affair is an assembly anyway I think. I don't think they were meant to be rebuilt...
    The follower is not making contact with the pin at all...

  8. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gjwardman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last On
    11-28-2010 @ 05:46 PM
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    Then there's nothing wrong. When there's no mag in the rifle, it will stay disengaged. The mag follower pushes it up. The whole affair is an assembly anyway I think. I don't think they were meant to be rebuilt...
    The follower is not making contact with the pin at all...

  9. #7
    Legacy Member skiprat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 08:02 PM
    Location
    North Yorkshire
    Posts
    294
    Real Name
    andrew sharp
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM
    the Britishicon L1A1 was fitted with 2 types of holding open catch. plain, or with a short pin fitted.... it never contacted the mag follower . It was about 3mm too short.
    In the past I have removed this short pin and drilled all the way thro. the hold oped catch (where the short pin was) and fitted a longer pin. (not too long or it fouls the ammunition)

  10. #8
    Legacy Member rli7275's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last On
    04-08-2021 @ 05:26 AM
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    2
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:37 AM
    http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/fallastshot.htm
    I did this modification to mine and it works fine. Hope this also solves you condition.

  11. #9
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gjwardman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last On
    11-28-2010 @ 05:46 PM
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks.
    I will do that then. Thanks for the assistance!

  12. #10
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-24-2024 @ 09:52 AM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,507
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:37 AM
    If I remember correctly, everyone is just about right, in that the UKicon/Commonwealth holding open thinggy is a MECHANICAL device - in that you'v egot to operate it mechanically yourself because the locating pin is too short. If you want it to operate automatically, by the aid of the mag platform, you've got to lengthen it slightly.

    But all Armourers will tell you this............ Holding open devices are notoriously fickle. A bit of sand or grit and they don't work when you want them to or worse still, the WILL work when you DON'T want them to. But from my experience, KEEP IT MECHANICAL, the way it was designed on the L1A1. Because after you have used an L1A1 in action, then you soon realise that you don't need a HOD. Regardless of the gun battle, noise and shouting going on all around you, when you hear that slight metallic ring, and your ar..., er......., bottom - twich a bit, you just KNOW by instinct that the magazine and chamber are empty
    Last edited by Peter Laidler; 07-07-2010 at 05:39 PM. Reason: speeling misteaks

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Slide Spring Housing (Spring Tube)
    By JimF4M1s (Deceased) in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-19-2009, 12:36 AM
  2. 8x33 in open bolt BD42(H)
    By diopter in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-14-2009, 08:06 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks