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Hi all I have a problem with my Lee Enfield SMLE MK1 safety.

Although the safety works not a problem when I shoot the gun the safety goes from the off position (forward) to the on position/safe (Back).

Now im sure this is the recoil knocking the safety back after every shot but any suggestions on a fix?

I have taken it apart gave it a good clean and the 2 holes and the notch to hold the safety in place seem in good order and I have tightened the screw down as much I am happy with which is alot.

But the problem is still there.

Thanks for any advice.

You have a PM.

This happened to me. It was the safety spring that was too weak to hold the safety in position, age of the spring I assume.

As you say, after every shot the safety would flick back to the on position.

I fixed this by replacing the safety spring.

Of the hundreds of Enfields I've checked, I'd say 99% of safety problems are down to incorrect safety assembly - nothing to do with the spring or the condition of the mechanical parts. An Enfield safety will work crisply with almost no spring pressure at all.


When you screw the two parts of the safety lever mechanism together, there are about six "starts" to the thread that connects them. Four of these "start" positions will give you a safety assembly that clearly does not fit and does not work. One "start" position is correct, and gives the normal positive Enfield safety action.


HOWEVER, the remaining "start" position is incorrect, but creates a safety assembly that fits and works after a fashion. This incorrect assembly will give all of the "faulty safety" symptoms people complain about - floppy lever, lever moving on firing, "weak spring", striker sometimes falling to half cock, etc.


The "correct" alignment of the two safety halves should leave them screwed together at a "five to twelve" angle.

The "incorrect but sort of works" alignment leaves the two halves screwed together at "quarter to twelve" or thereabouts.


Here we go:


Safety on the left is "incorrect but works"

Safety on the right is "correct"

^ What a great post. You really do learn something every day.

Excellent post , thank you for clear explanation, I have had same thing on one of my SMLEs in the past.

Thanks fro the replies all and after looking at all of the info hear it seems the spring does need bending in a little.

I have seen the picture above before trying to find a answer and did make sure it is assembled right.

Seems a little persuasion is needed to get things back in order.

Cheers all

You are offering these parts free of any cost Dave?

No but they are not expensive.

Thanks for posting such a clear explanation. I remember the fun I had discovering this years ago.