1915 SMLE bolt problem

[CINDERS]

Thats a copyright statement by PL Alan De Enfield.........

But I love it "a sausage in an alleyway" that ranks with some of the best aussie slang out there?

If it is the Sausage symptom does this infer that the bolt race and bolt body are excessively worn and does this affect the lock up. TIA

[Alan de Enfield]

Thats a copyright statement by PL Alan De Enfield.........

But I love it "a sausage in an alleyway" that ranks with some of the best aussie slang out there?

If it is the Sausage symptom does this infer that the bolt race and bolt body are excessively worn and does this affect the lock up. TIA

I remember PL saying something similar but couldn't recall exactly what it was.

I have a No1 Mk3* that the bolt is a "bit loose" & 'wobbly' but locks up properly with no movement.

[Brian Dick]

It was something along the lines of "throwing a sausage down High Street".

It appears the OP has bugged out.

[CINDERS]

You are correct Brian good recall perhaps the great man will explain why he was throwing a sausage down High street.....................

[eggwelder]

That would be the half cock then... We could keep guessing for ages at this.

Yeah... no. its not half cock

---------- Post added at 11:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------

It appears the OP has bugged out.

no. still here. I just don't live on here.
Thanks for the replies. when i get a day off I`ll double check for "sausage in an alley" looseness

---------- Post added at 11:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------

He could do a short vid and show us, then we could see. Bet that doesn't happen.

your odds would be good on that bet.

[eggwelder]

yes, thats what i do. the other enfields do not suffer the indignation of not closing properly. i do apologize for my lack of clarity in my written description of the problem..

[Parashooter]

Based on the minimal description, it's possible the bolt is loose enough in the body that its forward face is catching on the receiver ring. Diagnosis consists in "cramping" the bolt handle in various directions while closing. If some of these efforts are consistently successful (usually putting upward pressure on the handle to rock the bolt head down), a small chamfer can be applied to the bolt face to alleviate the interference. Here are a couple of graphics to elaborate -

[eggwelder]

messed around with the rifle this evening. the bolt is almost fully closed before it hangs up. it does not do this with a bolt from another No1. the "hotdog in a hallway" analogy, at least compared to the other rifles may describe the fit. its not terrible in that it doesn't flop all over the place, but has a tad more play than the others.
the bolt does not hang up when closing the bolt normally, such as when chambering a round. I'm inclined to agree with Parashooter`s diagnosis.

[Alan de Enfield]

I'm inclined to agree with Parashooter`s diagnosis.

Which is what I suggested in Post# 13

".....and lifting / twisting and the bolt head catching on the edge of the breech".


Para's suggestion:

"...it's possible the bolt is loose enough in the body that its forward face is catching on the receiver ring".

[eggwelder]

Yes you are correct. i was thinking that it was catching a lot farther back than it does as i have only had the rifle for a few months, and have not really had time to do a lot with it other than give it a cleaning. i did not get a chance to test anyone's ideas til last evening. Thank you all for the input.