Enfield .303 won't cock

[Guest Nunya]

Just traded into a sporterized .303. The bolt will function as it should, but it does not cock when the bolt is closed.

I have figured out the safety (forward is fire, backward is safe) and how to remove and reinstall the bolt by pushing down on the bolt release on the right side and rotating the forward most piece of the bolt.

What am I doing wrong?

One more piece of info. It cocked once and I dry fired it, but I was fiddling with a lot of stuff, so I don't know what I did!

[Guest Nunya]

Update. If I take the mag out and put it back in, it'll cock the first time, but not after I have dryfired it the first time. I assume that means that with a full mag, it will continue to cock (if it think's it's not empty). Is this normal function of a .303?

[RichardR]

I'd suggest tearing the bolt down an giving it a good cleaning, Enfields were cosmolined up prior to being stored, also the old surplus .303 ammunition was made using cordite, which is dirty and corrosive.

I am guessing that will correct the issue you are having.

[Guest Nunya]

Thanks, Richard. Should it cock ever time whether it's loaded or not?

[RichardR]

Yup

[Alleycat72]

The trigger spring may be broke. Push the trigger forward when you push the bolt forward and see if it cocks.

[Guest Nunya]

Thanks for the info. The other party in this trade is doing the right thing, thankfully, and we're trading back.