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Radman64

Radman64

⚜️ Member
CAguns Supporter
Founder 2026 2 25+ 2 Mostest
Messages
683
There is no one here that really has a clue about problems with old guns is all I'm seeing.
Anyone know about a Enfield bolt issue I'm trying to figure out?
The bolt will lock when empty but with a cartridge it wont close.
 
Where are you located? Mike at Greta's Guns is pretty good with older models if it's not to far of a commute for you. Or you can even try calling him. Maybe he can walk you through a fix.
 
Is the San Jose Gun Exchange still open? They lost their FFL many years ago, but the owner kept it open as purely a sporting goods store; I think I was last there about two years ago (right after Covid), and it was open, and the owner was still there. It's on Almaden Expressway, a little north of 85. Coincidentally, the owner is also named Mike. He is an expert on old military rifles of all kinds, and can probably help with good advice, even if he can't sell guns or perform gunsmithing services legally. He's helped me with minor problems on my M1 carbines (without even seeing them, just from me describing when they weren't cycling).

Personal tip: Mike is very hard of hearing. He can seem gruff and rude, but that's to a large extent simply because he doesn't hear. So try to be there when the shop is empty (not much background noise), speak loudly and slowly while facing him, and he turns into a really charming old guy.
 
treelogger said:
Is the San Jose Gun Exchange still open? They lost their FFL many years ago, but the owner kept it open as purely a sporting goods store; I think I was last there about two years ago (right after Covid), and it was open, and the owner was still there. It's on Almaden Expressway, a little north of 85. Coincidentally, the owner is also named Mike. He is an expert on old military rifles of all kinds, and can probably help with good advice, even if he can't sell guns or perform gunsmithing services legally. He's helped me with minor problems on my M1 carbines (without even seeing them, just from me describing when they weren't cycling).

Personal tip: Mike is very hard of hearing. He can seem gruff and rude, but that's to a large extent simply because he doesn't hear. So try to be there when the shop is empty (not much background noise), speak loudly and slowly while facing him, and he turns into a really charming old guy.
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He is a trip to deal with and I have dealt with him for years, firearms were always way over priced, I was last there in late 2022 and they still had no FFL which made no sense to me as I had my eye on another impulse buy.
He wanted to charge me 15.00 per 5 round stripper clip of .303 ( 60's Turkish manufactured) saying it was a buck a round but 10.00 for the stripper clip which made me laugh as I had bought all he had 12 years ago for .35 he had in a cigar box.
 
Radman64 said:
He is a trip to deal with and I have dealt with him for years, firearms were always way over priced, I was last there in late 2022 and they still had no FFL which made no sense to me as I had my eye on another impulse buy.
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Mike will never get his FFL back. The ATF has a file THIS thick on him (imagine a hand motion right out of a mafia movie). Same with his son, who was the FFL of record for a while. At this point, he's operating the store just out of spite and as a hobby. Good for him.
 
I remember stepping into that Almaden store in the mid 90's with my uncle who was asking Mike something about an Enfield issue he was having. I don't recall exactly how we were treated, but as a kid I remember they carried their 1911's and revolvers in leather holsters, which was cool to see as a kid.
 
Was always a trip dealing with Mike as his moods could very but back in the day he had a great staff with a great selection of firearms along with other odd's & end's on the floor that were just random, machine guns displayed etc, it was not the same last time I went there.
 
When it comes to the Enfield, has it ever chambered properly?

I had a similar issue, ended up having to the replace the extractor on the bolt face on my No.4. Had frozen in place.
 
29 Outdoor Gear in American Canyon has a very good gunsmith named Paul. He’s helped me out with everything from AKs to a 150 year old Merwin and Hulbert revolver.
 
My suggestion is for a heavy chamber cleaning. Also check and make sure there isn't any bit of case stuck in the chamber.

You could also not have the bolt head screwed all the way into the bolt body.
 
SVT-40 said:
My suggestion is for a heavy chamber cleaning. Also check and make sure there isn't any bit of case stuck in the chamber.

You could also not have the bolt head screwed all the way into the bolt body.
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I think someone did just that to the bolt head, it spins to the right to tighten correct?
Everything is clean on it.
 
Radman64 said:
I think someone did just that to the bolt head, it spins to the right to tighten correct?
Everything is clean on it.
Click to expand...
Will a loaded round chamber flush just by pushing it into the chamber with your finger? If yes, then the chamber is not the issue. Make sure the round seats fully in the chamber. If it passes that test, then next is the bolt.
 
Enfielder said:
Will a loaded round chamber flush just by pushing it into the chamber with your finger? If yes, then the chamber is not the issue. Make sure the round seats fully in the chamber. If it passes that test, then next is the bolt.
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It was the bolt head, functions fine now.
 
Radman64 said:
There is no one here that really has a clue about problems with old guns is all I'm seeing.
Anyone know about a Enfield bolt issue I'm trying to figure out?
The bolt will lock when empty but with a cartridge it wont close.
Click to expand...
It depends on who is floating around the forum. C & R is an acquired taste but there are definitely more AR Tactical ninjas and fan girls floating around than anything.
 
Churro said:
It depends on who is floating around the forum. C & R is an acquired taste but there are definitely more AR Tactical ninjas and fan girls floating around than anything.
Click to expand...
Brother, when I posted this it was very real, there would be at best 30+ members at the best of time.
How did you find this old post hahahah?
 
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