Lever question

[Smellysniper]

The lever on my Martini-Enfield "nests" when closed in a steel cup let into the underside of the stock. When closed firmly into this nest,it actually clicks into place and firmly holds the lever and action closed. This all seems possibly as it should be but makes opening the action quite difficult. My question is,should it be like this or should it merely nest into the cup with no "click" and simply rely on the action design to stay shut.
It is an easy fix but I need to know how it should be before I start with the big hammers!

Information

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[butlersrangers]

The Martini lever should 'snap' into place. There is a spring hidden in the recess of the cup. Try cleaning the interior of the cup (don't remove it from stock) with some solvent or CLP on "Q"-tips or Pipe Cleaners. Old hardened grease and crud may be limiting spring action. Things should work with moderate effort. Try a quality gun grease before resorting to pounding and bending the lever tip!

[Smellysniper]

Thanks butlersrangers,just the info. I needed. Sounds like a neat piece of design and it certainly works! A little bit f grease with probably ease it up. I was only joking about the hammer size! Thanks.

[butlersrangers]

There is an 'Art' to fine tuning a Martini Lever by skillful taps with a plastic mallet. Too much force will break the lever. Cleaning the stock-cup and its spring (without disassembly) is the first step and may be the solution.