Enfield-Rifles.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Enfields > Enfield Rifles
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Slackening off the Main Screw
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Slackening off the Main Screw

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
britrifles View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 03 2018
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Points: 6539
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Slackening off the Main Screw
    Posted: October 22 2018 at 8:19am
I'm curious if anyone (besides me) loosens off the main screw after shooting their rifles.  I used to do this every time, for fear that the constant tension would warp the forend.  Then one day I shot my No. 4 and had not tightened the screw.  Fortunately, no damage, it only took me a few rounds to realize the screw was not tight.  
The No. 4 that I regularly shoot has had the main screw tight for about a year now.  The other rifles that I don't shoot often have the main screws loosened off. 
 
 
Back to Top
Shamu View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Logo Designer / Donating Member

Joined: April 25 2007
Location: MD, USA.
Status: Offline
Points: 17603
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 22 2018 at 8:24am
I do not. My reasoning being that the collar will limit the ability to crush overly.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
Back to Top
Goosic View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 12 2017
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Status: Offline
Points: 8792
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 22 2018 at 8:59am
Just my two cents worth here. The forestock has factory bedding points for the barrel and the receiver correct? The factory then added two handguards that are clamped and screwed together around the forestock with a total of three clamping points including the king screw. My thinking would be to leave everything tight against each other. Loosening the king screw after shooting allows for the wood which has been warmed from shooting to cool down and tighten around the receiver more then what was intended. When you tighten the screw back up before shooting the receiver then cuts into the factory inlettings,stressing the wood at those points. The rifle was not designed to have the king screw loosened after it has been shot. From a machinist perspective, constantly tightening and loosening of the same screw will eventually wear the screw threads down along with the internal threads on the receiver enough to not let the screw to lock into the king boss as intended. Again,just my two cents worth.
Back to Top
britrifles View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 03 2018
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Points: 6539
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 22 2018 at 9:44am
All good comments.       
 
Two of my No. 4 rifles have a composition barrel bearing support in the forend (the barrel does not contact at the muzzle or the handguards).  The 7.62 has a bearing at the middle band, the .303 is "center bedded", the bearing is roughly centered between the mid band and the receiver.  The barrel is free floating forward of the bearing.  I don't think either have a collar on the main screw. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Back to Top
Zed View Drop Down
Special Member
Special Member
Avatar
Donating Member

Joined: May 01 2012
Location: France
Status: Online
Points: 5586
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 22 2018 at 10:22am
I also have a Fulton's regulated No4 Mk1/2 rifle. It does have the collar on the main screw.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
Back to Top
britrifles View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 03 2018
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Points: 6539
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 22 2018 at 11:00am
Hummmmm, I'll have to check tonight on this.  It might be retained in the wood. 
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.04
Copyright ©2001-2021 Web Wiz Ltd.