Hello,

I'll introduce myself in my first post with a request for help. I'm interested in Commonwealth military history and recently picked up a P14 at a good price on a local gun forum here in Canadaicon.

The gun is a .303 Winchester P14, with full wood stock, an intact and operational front volley sight and it even came mounting a Parker Hale 5B target sight. The collection I bought it from also included Enfields that were modified by the DCRA as well as Fultons of Bisley, so although I don't have previous experience with P14s, being more familiar with the SMLE and NO4 I suspect it is in the better grade of guns and has been used for and perhaps regulated/accurised for target use.

Now everything would have been perfect except for one big catch. I can't operate the bolt!
I can move the bolt lever up and down without any issue, but there is no forward/back movement once the bolt lever is raised, apart from a very slight adjustment as I lower the bolt lever fully, with the bolt moving forward a little. I've tried all possible positions of the safety with no effect and having first tried everything else I even tried fully closing the bolt and pulling the trigger. I didn't hear anything or feel anything. There appears to be a normal, audible and visible movement of the cocking piece if I am using the correct term (the central part of the bolt) when the bolt is raised and lowered (I assume the range of movement is normal, but as I said don't have prior experience with the P14 for comparison).

I'm not great at mechanical stuff but have friends with a well equipped workshop who are.
So if anyone can troubleshoot that would be very welcome.
I did a search on the forum and found this previous thread:
1917 Enfield- Help! stuck bolt

1) The answers there seemed to suggest the possibility of an incorrect or modified bolt, however I have no evidence that that might be the problem here?
2) Would any such modifications be likely to be undertaken for target shooting?
3) If I try the disassembly instructions suggested in the other thread would this fix the problem?
4) Would it interfere with anything that may have been done to accurise the rifle?
5) The No5 sight covers the bolt release lever and prevents me opening it. Will I have to remove the No5 sight and access the lever to get the problem fixed?

I'm considering taking the gun to a gunsmith, but would like to try other options first and don't know anyone locally with specialist knowledge of historic guns.

6) Are there any gunsmithing manuals for the P14? Is there anything that I or a smith who isn't familiar with the action might do that would make the problem worse (I'd rather ship it to a specialist than wreck it completely)?

Now I contacted the man I bought it from, but he wasn't able to offer any help and as far as I know the gun was fully functional when it left his hands (he sent photos that include some with the bolt open, before I made the purchase). It was well packaged in the post and came with the bolt closed.

If anyone can trouble shoot I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks to anyone who can assist.

Cheers,
Andy
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