MLE bolt won't close

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:01 pm

A mate has referred a bloke to me who wants to restore an MLE MkI.

Lucky sod has got a mostly complete rifle (with matching bolt) for $90AUD.

I've sourced a few bits for him and eventually we hope to have a complete rifle.

I've only had a cursory look at the rifle so far but there is a major issue with the bolt. Someone has taken the dust cover off, and ground the front dust cover lug off - taking a large amount of surrounding metal as well. They have also ground the front of the cocking piece. The bolt won't close. My two MLE bolts will close but only if the trigger is pulled. Bolt head is screwed all the way in and is a visual size match for my boltheads. The trigger sear sits a little proud of the boltway and I suspect is the problem. But how could it be assembled in such a way as to cause the problem ? I always thought it was a pretty simple mechanism, fiddly to reassemble yes, but not difficult.

I see no solution but to take it apart and play with it. Any thoughts from those more experienced than I ?

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:16 pm

Primo: thing that springs to mind is that the scear has been bent upwards, this is sometimes done to restore lost trigger pull.

Secondo: Does it have it's original trigger and scear or a set from a No 1?

Tri: As your bolts close then there doesn't seem to be gunk in the locking lug recess but check the lug on the original bolt for a bash.

Quarto; If a lot has been ground off the cocking piece then it is rats as it's going so far forward that the stud on the bolt, between the long and short grouves on the bolt is contacting the stud on the cocking piece.

Don't let anyone try force as the bolt stud will shear off, quick smart.

I'd put my money on this (last) being the problem.

Eoin.

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:37 pm

the sear being the issue - either bent or not original.

As I said I haven't had it apart (yet) but the trigger looks original.

Also I wasn't real clear about the cocking piece, it has been ground thinner not shorter. Hopefully that rules out quarto as the issue.

Will check the locking lugs on the original bolt as per your other point.

And not being my rifle brute force is definitely out.

Thanks again.

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:28 am

Another thought, can you move the cocking piece into the fired position when the bolt is out of the rifle? This is equivalent to closing the bolt in the rifle in the fired position.

Another thought, is it possible that the original bolt is lifting slightly and the head is contacting the body above the chamber. There is also the remote possibility that it (or the body...shudder...) are slightly bent.

Best of luck. What else do you need?

Edit 1.The brain just kicked into gear, check the movement of the extractor and the extractor-way at the chamber.

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:10 pm

I'll add those to the list of things to try when I get a chance to go over and have a more thorough look.

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:56 am

Anytime mate. Let me know what bits you need and I'll see if I can supply some at an outrageous and unjustifiable price.

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:19 pm

Probably a bit cautious in my approach initially because my bolt will work fine in it now with a firm hand.

We have junked the original bolt and sourced a new one, complete with dust cover, but still using the original bolt head. Still haven't had it apart but we did find a probable cause. The extractor claw in the original bolt head is markedly longer than mine - about a 1/4 inch (7.62 ?). Am going to find a bolt head with standard extractor (hopefully) in amongst my spare parts and give this a try.

So far we've managed to acquire a complete set of volley sights, a rear sight, piling swivel and rear sling swivel.

All we need now is a front sight blade, the screw that holds in the rear volley sight (been told the screw for the bayonet grips is the same size & thread and can be cut down to fit) and a front sight blade. This will give us a "correct", if mismatched, rifle and we can look at the next step - shooting the bugger. Wish us luck.

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:37 am

OK G! GOOD LUCK

Would be interesting to see some pics of the work in progress!

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:52 am

I'd love to do photo's Duncan but my camera died.

However, due to a bit of backpay coming along unexpectedly, I've been on ebay and grabbed a new camera

.

As well as the MLE there's a HT, a mock HT (with an original Pattern 1918 scope), a heavy barrel range rifle and a No2 Mk IV to take piccies of.

We're in the process of organising a range day with the HT/mock HT/1915 Enfield/.22 Hornet SMLE/No 8 and probably a few others. Hopefully the camera will be here by then.

Also means I can get cracking with the TWGPP which has been shelved temporarily due to the camera issues and the other issues that have gone along with the wife's broken ankle.

Post by **DuncaninFrance** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:26 pm

Great stuff G. I hope your good lady is progressing the right way now. I am off to Normandy next Sunday for a week around the 'D' Day beaches plus a few cemeteries for TWGPP to pick up a few loose ends for my Australians and one or two others as well. That's a weeks peace and quiet for everyone eh?!

MLE bolt won't close

MLE bolt won't close

Thanks for the reply mate, I'm betting on

Thanks again

Had another play with the MLE