Removing an Enfield Magizine Cutoff

[Enfield47]

How do you remove it? I can't find anything online and I don't want to break it. I unscrewed the screw/pin but the cutoff won't come out. It will rotate in and out but will not slide out. I'm in the process of cleaning up my Mk V and there is a lot of old cosmo and out grease that is caked onto every surface, so that's probably what's holding it in place. Do I need to lightly tap it forward with a hammer?

[TRAP55]

5lb sledge should do it.
Probably fossilized cosmo, soak it with Kroil, WD-40, etc.

http://stevespages.com/ipb-leeenfield-no1.html

[Anubis Laughed]

I've encountered the same issue on a couple of my Enfield's. I think those cut-off plates were machined to be naturally tight fitting, perhaps to keep them in the position the shooter wanted.

That small pivot screw is the only thing attaching the mag cutoff to the receiver, so unless the cutoff itself is bent, its probably just three-quarter's of a century's worth of old cosmo and grime buildup preventing removal.

Apply a lot of gun cleaning oil for lubrication, (like CLP) and then a couple light taps with a hammer and a narrow brass punch should move it out. Go easy, it will come out eventually.

[Enfield47]

I have WD40 so I'll hit it with some tomorrow and see if that will do the trick. If that doesn't work, I also have Kroil I can use.

The rifle is in pretty good shape but I don't think the previous owner believed in cleaning up the cosmo or grease too much. When I took apart the magazine, it looked like the bottom of a deep fryer does after years of use. So far the Hoppes #9 has been able to get the superficial layers off.

[TRAP55]

Funny that WD-40 will soften and dissolve the cosmo for removal, but if left in the gun for as long as that cosmo has been there, is just as big a PITA to clean out too!

[5th Batt]

Remove screw, open cutoff, tap from behind moving cutoff forwards so the rear internal lip (whats stops the cutoff from swinging right out when you open it) is cleared of the cutoff slot, pull out.

[Father Ted]

^^^ what he said.