Bolt Locking Lugs
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Rifles
Forum Description: Anything that has to do with the great Enfield rifles!
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7335
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 3:56pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Bolt Locking Lugs
Posted By: musketjon
Subject: Bolt Locking Lugs
Date Posted: February 05 2015 at 5:00pm
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I have a 1916 BSA No1 MkIII* and the bolt number does not match. I was doing a bolt test last night and only one of the lugs is making contact. I haven't shimmed the offending lug yet to see how much gap is present. Is it ok to lightly stone the "high" lug until both get equal engagement? I know to only do a few light strokes and check. It's labor-intensive, I know. I just don't want to cut through the hardening on the lug. Thanks Jon |
Replies:
Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 05 2015 at 5:53pm
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I know that head space may be affected as well. Thanks Jon
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Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: February 05 2015 at 6:02pm
| that was my comment i did not make when i loooked at the thread a moment ago , im not the guy to answer this question , there are armorers amoung us that can give you a better answer than i could even without inspection i suspect - but i would not take any action to correct untill you get the right input - and please allow it all to accumulate first - read it thoroughly - then act with responcible consideration as this could be a really expensive fix if its F'd up , MVHO |
Posted By: Sarge
Date Posted: February 05 2015 at 6:10pm
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Having several SMLE's, I've just changed a couple of the bolts over to try and duplicate your problem. Mine are all working ok. I would suggest getting the headspace.. and bolt head checked out first by a qualified gunsmith... before you go filing the bolt or any other part for that matter. Both the lugs are put into the design for a purpose. Think safety at every level. Unless you know 110% what your doing... leave things to the experts = qualified and competent Gunsmith / Armourer. ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
Posted By: Homer
Date Posted: February 05 2015 at 6:33pm
| Jump over to milsurps and ask your question Jon. Theres very qualified people there to help you with your problem. |
Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 05 2015 at 9:28pm
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Thanks to all for your input. Homer, already posted there. Thanks Jon
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Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 6:02am
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IMO safety must always be concern #1. While there are a lot we can do as amateurs there are some things best left to professionals to do. The hard part of course is deciding where the dividing line is for each of us. Some are just more mechanically adept than others, & some are more knowledgeable than others. My decisions in that grey area are based on a realistic assessment of my equipment & abilities. Based on that I'd strongly suggest that, based on your posts, your needs will be best served by a smith at least evaluating the project. Not trying to knock in any way, but there are aspects of this work you seem unfamiliar with & that to me is a warning flag that you might be getting out of your depth. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Homer
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 6:17am
| Jon I think your background as a toolmaker combined with the right advice that you'll receive over at milsurps, will help you better understand the forces at play and what steps will be required to confidently rectify the problem. |
Posted By: DairyFarmer
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 6:45am
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Especially when there is a piece of metal that could come flying back into your face. ------------- If farming was easy, then everyone one would do it. |
Posted By: W.R.Buchanan
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 2:49pm
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Musketjon: do you understand how these guns actually headspace? You need to go here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1169225-enfield-head-spacing" rel="nofollow - http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1169225-enfield-head-spacing Read post #7 & 9 and then all the rest. It will give you the correct method of measuring the Headspace on your gun with simple tools. There is pictures and everything. It is very easy to do. You don't need Headspace gauges as they won't tell what you've got,,, they will only tell you the gun is within "a range." There is probably nothing wrong with your gun. These actions don't work like Mausers. Randy Shamu,,, Maybe this should be made into a Sticky? it is kind of relevant.
------------- It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,, It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do. |
Posted By: Sarge
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 4:20pm
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From what has been mentioned, it sounds to me like the bolt head is a size to large. In that way the bolt will not engage fully. ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
Posted By: DairyFarmer
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 9:36pm
------------- If farming was easy, then everyone one would do it. |
W.R.Buchanan wrote:Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 10:38pm
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Thanks all for the wonderful info. It shoots. It extracts. It picks up the next round. My face is still intact. Maybe I should just leave it well enough alone. Maybe it's a non-issue. Thank you, Gentlemen Jon
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Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 10:42pm
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I like the method in post #9. I think I'll make one of those up and check it at work with the CMM. Thanks again to all for your input. You guys are the absolute BEST!!!! Jon
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Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 06 2015 at 11:17pm
| I just checked the head space using the method in post #9 above (thank you Mr Buchanan) and a cursory check with my calipers puts it between .070/.071. I'll check it at work Monday with the CMM or height gage. I read on another forum, some info by Peter Laidler (sic) and found that I was checking the lugs incorrectly. Upon checking it correctly, they seem to have equal bearing. I guess I was definitely worrying about a total non-issue with my rifle. All is good.Thank you again, my friends.Jon |
Posted By: Sarge
Date Posted: February 07 2015 at 7:22am
Glad to hear that all is well. Its always best to ask if one is not certain about something. Enjoy your shooting!  ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 07 2015 at 9:14am
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Glad to hear it's all working out for you. I'd be glad to sticky the link, but its invisible to non members. Do you have a link we can all see? ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 08 2015 at 4:16pm
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Took my SMLE to the range today. Inked the lugs before firing it. The lugs show even bearing on both sides. All is good. Thanks again for all the input. Jon |
Posted By: W.R.Buchanan
Date Posted: February 09 2015 at 9:25am
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I tried a bunch of ways to copy paste this thread but one or the other site won't let me do it so people will just have to go there and sign up. Lots of guys from here are there anyway, that's how I found out about the site in the first place.This is valuable information and maybe some of the more computer savvy members can transfer the information to this site some how?Randy ------------- It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,, It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 09 2015 at 12:25pm
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That's unfortunate. Its a security thing. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: musketjon
Date Posted: February 09 2015 at 6:25pm
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Ok, I checked the head space at work today. It's between. 0685/.069'', right in the middle. Looks like I'm good to go. I do, however, need to move the front sight blade slightly as the Center of the group is about 2-2 1/2 inches to the left of the bull. I know on the M1 rifle, 1 inch equates to roughly. 008'' movement. How far on the No1 MkIII III equals 1 inch at 100 yards? I know to move the front sight opposite. Also, can the blade be moved without taking off the nose cap assembly? Thanks Jon |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: February 10 2015 at 6:55am
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Anything under = 0.074". is good. If you're moving the front sight you should check for the correct "Cramp" (adjusting tool), there's a member on here selling modern versions for a decent price. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: W.R.Buchanan
Date Posted: February 10 2015 at 11:36am
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musketjon: I sell a Sight Adjuster Tool (I'm a Machinist too,) using 1/4-28 threads one flat = .006. With the Enfield Sight radius of @ 29" 1 MOA is right at .008. So my tool moves it 3/4 MOA per flat. You can PM me if you'd like one, or you can probably make one yourself. It's not that hard if you have the machinery and skills. If your Front Sight has a odd looking pinch screw on it, a tire valve tool will loosen it. I am making Apex bits with a slot in them to include with my tools in the future. Randy
------------- It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,, It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do. |
Posted By: Zed
Date Posted: February 10 2015 at 11:40am
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The easiest way to calculate the adjustment required is by using the mathematical formula as follows. Distance between front and rear sights x error on target (19,15" x 2,5") divided by 3600" (100 yards) gives you the required adjustment (19,15 x 2,5) / 3600 = 0,013" (thirteen thousands of an inch) You do need to remove the nose cap to adjust the front blade. ------------- It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! |
Posted By: W.R.Buchanan
Date Posted: February 10 2015 at 11:43am
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Oops, I was talking about sights on a #4 rifle,,, your Mk III is going to be different.sorry Randy ------------- It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,, It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do. |