Thread: SMLE no.1 Mk3* Magazine dropping out after firing a shot and a sticky bolt when warm

Hi guys,
Apologies if this isn't the right place in the forum to post this.

I've recently bought a 1950s factory refurbished no.1 Mk3* which works okay except for a really stiff bolt after a few shots even with plenty of lube and two, the Magazine drops down so the bolt can't collect another round when cycling the action after firing a shot or 2.
When I remove the mag then re-insert it I have to give it an all might smack for the Magazine to "lock into" the gun.
And when I shoot the rifle, I assume the recoil knocks the Magazine down. Not far enough for it to drop out the bottom , but it's low enough that the both can't pick up another round my guess is it drops about 1cm.

So, to see if it were the Magazine was faulty or something wrong with the rifle I put 10 rouds through the rifle with a friend's Magazine and came across no issues (the Magazine came from a no.1 mk3* also)
Comparing the two magazines side by side it seems my one has excessive wear on the rear end of it as if it's been removed and inserted a thousand times so my guess is that the little locking lug on the back of the magazine has worn down far enough that it won't latch properly anymore.

Since doing my littile experement last week, I've read online with the limited information avaliable on this topic that SMLE magazines aren't supposed to be interchanged like modern rifles.

My questions are,
1, is it safe to interchange mags (as in if I bought a new magazine of trademe to use would it somehow make the rifle unsafe to use or damage it in any way)


2, Is there any way I could fix the magazine I currently have. (Maybe a small fart of weld or solder?)

3, is it normal for the bolt to get stiff after a few shots have been fired

4, any tips to stop the bolt from getting so sticky/stiff after firing a few shots

Thanks for the help,
Beans

No it's not normal for the bolt to stiffen up as you describe, it could be headspace or something else. As to the magazine there's a high degree of interchangeability within marks but not between them, ie a no 4 won't fit properly in a no 1. In both cases it's impossible to determine cause from a description, photos would be better but vest if all having someone knowledgeable and possibly with a set of go no go gauges would be best

Twisted action??? Get gunsmith to check and rectify magazine at same time.its your face 6"away from explosion after all so your call

Thanks for the advice. It'll sit in the safe until I can get it to a gun smith for inspection. Don't feel like getting my face blown off..
It's also good to know that the magazine are interchangeable within the models.

As above, seems to be issues in different areas. Not just from a worn/old magazine (which might be the easiest fix - ie a new one).
The bolt head might have been changed to reduce head space, but might have gone too far the other way. Definitely check with go/no go gauge.
I've seen a few bent firing pins as well which made the bolt tight to work.

Or the rail that guides the bolt head might have crap on it, screw fouling the bolt - there are a number of reasons that could be happening. Extractor slot full of crap is another causing issues with the extractor being out of position, or issues with the internals of the bolt or where the cocking piece interacts with the rear of the action. Safety binding is another option...

A gunsmith will be able to confirm what's going on - it does seem unusual that the bolt tightens up in use though.

see if DPT will have a look at it @Friwi

I am not too much of a specialist of the 303 Enfield stuff. @Wingman might be more the guy for that sort of guns.

Originally Posted by Friwi

I am not too much of a specialist of the 303 Enfield stuff. @Wingman might be more the guy for that sort of guns.

Yea, go drop it off at Shooter Ready in Cambridge and have Wingman have a look at it. He'll sort it.