Enfield won't fire

Zack43 · 01-01-2007, 06:35 PM

I have a 1943, Savage made U S Property Enfield. When I try to fire it the firing pin makes a small impression in the primer but does not fire. Where should I start with trouble shooting this?

Vintovki · 01-01-2007, 07:10 PM

Take your bolt apart and thoroughly clean it, perhaps it is filled with cosmoline. If that is not a problem look at the firing pin itself, check the protrusion as well as the spring pressure. If that is not the problem your next step is to check the headspace as this is a rimmed cartridge. If the headspace is bad you'll need a properly set up Gunsmith.HTH

jerry · 01-01-2007, 07:13 PM

Head space. If the head space is off, there are different front end bolt assemblies that can be installed to typically correct the issue. If it shot ok before, not a likely cause.

Ammo, did you switch or try something different, a reload perhaps? Some primers are set deeper.

Speaking of primers, some are harder than others.

Firing pin damaged or worn. Have heard of a broken firing pin still dimpling a primer a tad bit but not firing.

Zack43 · 01-01-2007, 07:31 PM

I have never owned an Enfield before. I have never fired this one. I am using new ammo that I bought at a gun show. The ammo is marked "WW Super 303 British" and is declared to be new.

Thanks for all the comments.

mdj696 · 01-12-2007, 01:19 AM

I bought a No 4 Mark 1 (jungle carbine conversion) I thinkit was from Navy Arms. Came with a Mark III bolt head. Make sure ur bolt head is stamped with 0,1,2,3. If not is prob Mark III. Springfield Sporters has the No 4 bolt heads at reasonable prices. mdj696

Zack43 · 01-20-2007, 07:56 PM

Thanks for all the help. My bolt head has a 0 on it.

billy · 01-20-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintovki

Take your bolt apart and thoroughly clean it, perhaps it is filled with cosmoline. If that is not a problem look at the firing pin itself, check the protrusion as well as the spring pressure. If that is not the problem your next step is to check the headspace as this is a rimmed cartridge. If the headspace is bad you'll need a properly set up Gunsmith.HTH

i agree i betcha thats it.clean er up .keep us posted

mt3030 · 02-07-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zack43

I have a 1943, Savage made U S Property Enfield. When I try to fire it the firing pin makes a small impression in the primer but does not fire. Where should I start with trouble shooting this?

Zack43:
Did you get it shooting? If so, what did you find?

01-01-2007, 06:35 PM	#1
Zack43 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15	Enfield won't fire I have a 1943, Savage made U S Property Enfield. When I try to fire it the firing pin makes a small impression in the primer but does not fire. Where should I start with trouble shooting this?

01-01-2007, 07:10 PM	#2
Vintovki Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 139 Images: 3	Take your bolt apart and thoroughly clean it, perhaps it is filled with cosmoline. If that is not a problem look at the firing pin itself, check the protrusion as well as the spring pressure. If that is not the problem your next step is to check the headspace as this is a rimmed cartridge. If the headspace is bad you'll need a properly set up Gunsmith.HTH __________________ "Quemadmoeum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est." - Seneca

01-01-2007, 07:13 PM	#3
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,899 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Head space. If the head space is off, there are different front end bolt assemblies that can be installed to typically correct the issue. If it shot ok before, not a likely cause. Ammo, did you switch or try something different, a reload perhaps? Some primers are set deeper. Speaking of primers, some are harder than others. Firing pin damaged or worn. Have heard of a broken firing pin still dimpling a primer a tad bit but not firing. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

01-01-2007, 07:31 PM	#4
Zack43 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15	I have never owned an Enfield before. I have never fired this one. I am using new ammo that I bought at a gun show. The ammo is marked "WW Super 303 British" and is declared to be new. Thanks for all the comments.

01-12-2007, 01:19 AM	#5
mdj696 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 265 Images: 1	I bought a No 4 Mark 1 (jungle carbine conversion) I thinkit was from Navy Arms. Came with a Mark III bolt head. Make sure ur bolt head is stamped with 0,1,2,3. If not is prob Mark III. Springfield Sporters has the No 4 bolt heads at reasonable prices. mdj696

01-20-2007, 07:56 PM	#6
Zack43 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15	Thanks for all the help. My bolt head has a 0 on it.