.22 cal 1917 SMLE Enfield bolt release?

[Black Prince]

Hi
I have an .22 1917 SMLE Enfield, been fitted with an Sportco barrel! I found out upon break down.
Sportco an Australian company, Lithgow if I am right.
It probably was refurbished at Lithgow some time ago.
My problem is that I could not remove the bolt as the bolt release is not the push down type. As per normal SMLE's.
I had to remove fore arm etc furniture to undo an the screw that held the release lever and it dropped down out of the way to remove the bolt. The screw holds the bolt/firing pin release.
Any ideas on why it works this way or am I not doing something right!
Looks like it has not been apart for a quite a while.

[browningautorifle]

Not sure if I misunderstand you...the bolt head is simply hooked with a finger and rotates up to remove the bolt. The bolt head swings up and pull back. There's nothing to push down like the #4 rifle...possibly just very tight.

All the parts look correct.

[22SqnRAE]

Sportco, or Sporting Arms Company Pty Ltd was an Adelaide based firearms manufacturer that sprung up after WWII. It made local, cheap .22LR working rifles for farmers and hunters. Seizing on the large surplus market, the company modified Martini Cadets and Long Lees to other sporting cartidges, for the civilian market. They were eventually bought by Omark Industries, an Olin company form the US. They no longer exist.

The Spring, retaining is you problem. They often are.

Once you've cleaned the body and assembled parts properly in an evil hydrocarbon like kerosene, then you can reassemble the clean, gunk-free components. On firming up the Screw, sear, if you still have trouble lifting the bolt head up, then its time for a new Spring, retaining. In the interim while you find one (I might be able to assist there...) you can loosen off the Screw, sear a turn or two and that will help with some necessary movement of the spring.

You are not doing anything wrong, you are simply finding one of the common maintenance problems of the SMLE for the first time (for you...) You have a few more to find!

PM me if you need a hand, happy to assist where I can.

[Black Prince]

22SqnRAE

I did not realize the issue, until I went to take it to the range and could not remove the bolt,as it's an requirement to remove bolts, as I have only shot it on a friends property a few times. I have cleaned it (bore NO Kero used) but don't remember the bolt issue!
The Spring has room to move, eg there is a small enough gap between spring and chamber body, but it don't budge at all.
Just might try an small washer/spring etc behind the screw, first as it may give me the movement I need.
As it is it's a straight shooter,good bore.
I'll get a chance next month to talk to the person I got it off a year ago at Canberra, at the Remembrance Day Shoot on the 10 th November.
Or do I get clever and make one with a slot so it will slide down out of the way.
I'll sleep on it.
Cheers......................... "there are no problems only solutions".
Thanks for the feed back boys.

I'll let you know, it could be a while as have got 3 Ducati's, 1977, 1996, 1980 400 SS Junior and a 1963 series 2 A SWB to finish (for the 75th Aussie Anniversary coming up in a year or two.

Just a note if your down our way go to the Lithgow Museum it's an eye opener, before the Govt stuffs it up and the whole lot is sold overseas.

[Black Prince]

Jim
Thanks yep it's looks like the SMLE etc where you push it down,but this one is real stiff and I think it pushes inwards.
As there is a small gap between it and the chamber.
More thinking needed as I don't want to pull the furniture of every time to clean the bolt etc.
Cheers

Oh! by the way I have 4 friends that I met in South Dakota at Stugis motorcycle Rally in 2010 for the rally, and the Canadian election results did not go the way they voted, not happy campers at all.

[browningautorifle]

election results

Yes, things could go very badly...

[pisco]

hi i have one the same on a 1942 Lithgow shoots like no tomorrow
i would have a spare spring if you are stuck as said i would undo the screw and clean behind the spring never had to replace one of those springs

[30Three]

The bolt head can need a firm push to get it over the spring. As already mentioned, make sure there's no crap preventing the spring moving in to allow the bolthead to release.

[Black Prince]

The bolt head can need a firm push to get it over the spring. As already mentioned, make sure there's no crap preventing the spring moving in to allow the bolthead to release.

Well it's operator error on my behalf.
yep I had to push real hard to remove the bolt at the same time hold the bolt back as far as it could move,then it would release.
The instal is the reverse put bolt in pull back then push hard down and in it goes.
Thanks for all the feed back.

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 AM ----------

22SqnRAE
Thanks for input I have worked it out, just operator error needed to push real hard once it was in the right place.
Cheers

---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 AM ----------

pisco
Thanks I have persevered and worked it out, needs a hard push to release & replace bolt head.
Just operator error. I am to used to of my Mk4 No1 * Longbranch ease of removal bolt.
Cheers.

[pisco]

hi righto now that teething problem is solved how does it shoot