Need some help from you Lee Enfield bolt action guys.

T

T-90

New member
Picked up a 1942 "Long branch" Lee Enfield .303 bolt action rifle. I always heard Lee Enfield rifles were good guns. Picked this one up a couple hours ago. I have experience with the Mosin's, German style Mausers, and I have a 7mm Spanish Mauser.

This is my first experience with a Enfield. I was looking up stuff like vids on how to field strip it and such, but couldn't find anything specific for the No.4 Mk1 "Longbranch" rifles.

Any help, advice, or history would be appreciated. First thng is first though...this thing is cover in cosmoline...I would like to figure out how to get the bolt out. LOL!
 
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For a No4 Mk1.
Press down the small serrated catch on the right rear of the receiver (its in the "cutout" at the rear between the charger bridge & rear sight mount). Holding it down pull the bolt fully to the rear & release the catch. This will pop the bolt head out of the raceway. manually rotate it fully counter clockwise to vertical & pull back to remove. Unscrew bolt head, the bolt is now stripped.

For a No4 Mk1* there is no catch.
Look at the front right of the loading port. There is a short section of rail "missing". Pull the bolt back till the head sits in that cutout & rotate counterclockwise till it stops,. Pull the bolt out to the rear.

All magazines:
Firmly squeeze the magazine release catch while pulling down & forward, the magazine will slide free.
Pres down on the rear only of the spring & platform till the front lifts up clear of the front magazine feed lips. Turn, pull & wiggle till the spring "walks" out past the lips.

No further field stripping is suggested.

Denatured alcohol & "J-Cloths" will strip cosmo quickly & harmlessly. It will also remove 100% of moisture protection & lube so re lube metal with gun oil immediately & re-oil wood with raw linseed oil. Apply a light coat daily & rub in thoroughly with your hands, wiping excess off when absorption stops. Repeat till no more is absorbed. Its a slow process but worth it. The usual mantra is :
Once a day for a week
Once a week for a month
Once a month for a year
Once a year for life.
 
In much-used Mk.I*'s the bolthead will sometimes jump the rail where the slot has worn large (or someone has 'fixed' it by filing it larger). There isn't much that can be done about this.
 
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