No4 Mk1* Ejection Issue?

[Doug S]

I got my Long Branch out to the range the other day for the first time. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the gun. It grouped nicely. The only issue I experienced was with ejection. The gun would feed, fire, and extract the empty casing without a problem, but it would not throw the casing out of the receiver. If I worked the bolt gently, the empty case would pretty much just lay on top of the magazine. If I worked the bolt more firmly, it would pop the empty case, just outside of the gun (usually bounce out on the stock, and hit the table). I'm new to all of this, and have no knowledge about the No4 MK1* bolt. I assume the extractor is fine, since it had no problem pulling the empty cases out, but I'm guessing there is a spring in with the extractor that is worn out. When working the bolt, the extractor does not look to move at all. I took the bolt head off to see if the extractor was frozen, and I can move it with some difficulty. The bolt head has the markings of an F, a crown, and the number 3. Anyone know what is wrong with the gun. Could it be gummed up, or is there a part I'll need to replace?

Thanks for any help.

Information

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[Badger]

Hi Doug...

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

[Doug S]

Badger,

As usual, you are most helpful. Thanks!

[Badger]

Badger,

As usual, you are most helpful. Thanks!

Thanks, but only if it helps solve your problem.....

Let us know if you find anything in their manuals that help.

Regards,
Badger

[Cantom]

Badger,

As usual, you are most helpful. Thanks!

These rifles usually eject with no problems...is the ejector screw missing from the side of the receiver? It should project into the bolt way a trifle.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

You may have a combination of problems.

Correct ejection is achieved when the extractor holds the head of the case lightly against the left side of the boltway in the receiver. If you look at the inner left wall of the receiver you should see a secondary "conical" cut forward of the locking shoulder recess. The ejector screw should protrude into this cutout. As the bolt is retracted, the cartridge head drags a little on the cylindrical section of the bolt way. When it gets to the ejection cut out, there should be just enough travel left in the extractor to cause the rim to strike the hardened end of the ejector screw.

So, you could have one or more of the following:

A faulty extractor,
A faulty extractor spring.
A buildup of "crud" in the extractor slot in the bolt head.
A damaged or out of spec extractor screw.
Something new that I have never seen.

Cheers,
Bruce

[Edward Horton]

When the bolt is closed the extractor is pushed to the right and away from the rim of the case, also the extractor spring is put under full load or stretched to the maximum. Over time the extractor spring weakens and this effects extraction AND bolt jump or the bolt moving upward when the rifle is dry fired.

At the instant the trigger is pulled the extractor and the extractor spring are the only thing pushing the bolt to the rear and thus forcing the bolt locking lugs into contact with the bolt lug recesses in the receiver.

A weak extractor spring can accelerate bolt head and bolt lug wear and shorten their usable life span, the two springs that see the most usage, strain and wear are the extractor and the firing pin spring, on my shooters I replace both springs with new ones, and replace the extractor if needed, its good insurance.