my bolt cycles hard

RedbaronX71 · 11-20-2009, 10:53 PM

anyone else have a bolt that opens hard after firing? if it is cocked, the bolt opens and closes smoothly, but once I pull the trigger (snap caps or dry) the bolt is harder to open....

is this common?

I've disassembled the bolt and there are no obstructions, and it doesn't look like there is any damage

anyone else have this problem?

ArkansasHunter · 11-20-2009, 10:56 PM

Sound like a dirty chamber, Have you gave it a good cleaning ? What are you shooting (brand rifle) ? And what kind of ammo ? Reloads ? This info will help...A.H

killsnapz · 11-20-2009, 10:56 PM

Look down towards the bottom of the page and find the thread called "Sticky Bolt"

Michael

R5CYA · 11-20-2009, 11:00 PM

find some of the old "bolt" posts and get to work polishing the parts that matter. this question comes up so often i can't believe the solutions haven't been made a "sticky" yet!

RedbaronX71 · 11-20-2009, 11:21 PM

1925 Izzy 91/30, thorough cleaning

I'm posting as opposed to assuming it's just dirty because it cycles open hard ONLY after it's been fired... and I've not actually FIRED it with live rounds yet, just cleaned like crazy after getting it and "fired" with snap caps

Iron_Colonel · 11-21-2009, 12:01 AM

Take your pinky finger and run it inside the bolt locking lug grooves inside the receiver with a patch on it. There could be some stuff in there you may have missed. Dental picks, Qtips can help get some dirt and grime out. You can also use carb cleaner to squirt in there. I would advise removing the stock before doing that if you choose.

R5CYA · 11-21-2009, 12:31 AM

his problem is only with the bolt after the trigger's been pulled. it's the bolt not the lugs or chamber that needs attention.

your mosin's bolt will always be harder to open after the trigger had been pulled. you can manually cock it by pulling the safety straight back to make it easier if you want.
what i've done with some of mine is to polish the "ramps" on the bolt that slide on each other when you open the bolt. it made a huge difference on my m44. like most parts on a russian mosin, they were too rough to work smoothly. the trigger can be vastly improved with a bit of polishing in the right places as well. that's a whole nother post that need to be made a "sticky"!

take your bolt apart and have a good look at it put it back together without the spring and "cycle" it a few times till you're familiar with how it works and what parts are rubbing on each other to re-cock it when you open it. those are the parts you want to polish. a small polishing wheel on a dremel would work great for this, i didn't care about keeping the original finish on my bolt, so i just poilished the whole thing on a metal polisher. only takes one finger, one thumb and no effort at all to open now.

Ken in Iowa · 11-21-2009, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R5CYA

his problem is only with the bolt after the trigger's been pulled. it's the bolt not the lugs or chamber that needs attention.

your mosin's bolt will always be harder to open after the trigger had been pulled. you can manually cock it by pulling the safety straight back to make it easier if you want.
what i've done with some of mine is to polish the "ramps" on the bolt that slide on each other when you open the bolt. it made a huge difference on my m44. like most parts on a russian mosin, they were too rough to work smoothly. the trigger can be vastly improved with a bit of polishing in the right places as well. that's a whole nother post that need to be made a "sticky"!

take your bolt apart and have a good look at it put it back together without the spring and "cycle" it a few times till you're familiar with how it works and what parts are rubbing on each other to re-cock it when you open it. those are the parts you want to polish. a small polishing wheel on a dremel would work great for this, i didn't care about keeping the original finish on my bolt, so i just poilished the whole thing on a metal polisher. only takes one finger, one thumb and no effort at all to open now.

Now we are on track. Good job R5C! I dab of grease helps too.

We need to create a good sticky about the various 'bolt' problems.

1- This issue with the re-cocking cycle.
2- Bolt won't close and how to adjust the extractor that won't snap over the rim.
3- Sticky bolt and chamber cleaning.
3a- Sticky bolt caused by burrs.
3b- Sticky bolt caused by chamber defects.
4- FTFs, duds, hang fires, pierced primers and other issues caused by improper firing pin adjustment.
5- Trigger tuning. (Boy that would be a thread of it's own!)

Did I forget anything?

texnmidwest · 11-21-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken in Iowa

Now we are on track. Good job R5C! I dab of grease helps too.
We need to create a good sticky about the various 'bolt' problems.
1- This issue with the re-cocking cycle.
2- Bolt won't close and how to adjust the extractor that won't snap over the rim.
3- Sticky bolt and chamber cleaning.
3a- Sticky bolt caused by burrs.
3b- Sticky bolt caused by chamber defects.
4- FTFs, duds, hang fires, pierced primers and other issues caused by improper firing pin adjustment.
5- Trigger tuning. (Boy that would be a thread of it's own!)
Did I forget anything?

The only thing I can think of that you have forgot is:

6- How to understand women. No wait...that can be summed up in two words..."Ya can't."

jmp8927 · 11-21-2009, 09:42 AM

^What they said. I took my bolt apart and polished the ramps that cock the bolt when opening then greased it with some dry graphite. After you fire it, you may have to look into bolt lugs and such, but not now.

RedbaronX71 · 11-21-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R5CYA

his problem is only with the bolt after the trigger's been pulled. it's the bolt not the lugs or chamber that needs attention.

your mosin's bolt will always be harder to open after the trigger had been pulled.

see, THIS was more what I was asking than anything... is a hard opening bolt just plain par for the course or is it a symptom of a PROBLEM...

I'm still going to take it apart again to examine it further and make sure it's deep cleaned... I wanted to avoid taking it to a gunsmith because 1. money is tight and 2. with it being hunting season right now, every smith I've talked to is backlogged pretty deep. If this hard-opening bolt was not a symptom of a SAFETY issue, just "meh, it opens a little harder", then I'm not going to WORRY about it. Check it, sure, clean it again, absolutely.

While I've had blackpowder flintlocks since I was 15, I'm still kinda new to modern guns... I'm still in the "ask LOTS of questions" phase.

R5CYA · 11-21-2009, 11:52 AM

and if you really want it to work as it should, take the time to polish the parts that need it. calling the machining on these rifles "rough" is a massive understatement. o.k. by me. that why we can get them so cheap!

LefthandShooter · 11-21-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnmidwest

6- How to understand women. No wait...that can be summed up in two words..."Ya can't."

I'm going to be nice and not comment on this and Tex.

RedbaronX71 · 11-21-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R5CYA

and if you really want it to work as it should, take the time to polish the parts that need it. calling the machining on these rifles "rough" is a massive understatement. o.k. by me. that why we can get them so cheap!

the sequence in Enemy at the Gates where they alternately hand one man a rifle and then the next man a stripper clip... and then throw the MASS of ill-prepared soldiers at the enemy pretty much embodies the Soviet mentality of quantity over quality...

Mooseman684 · 11-21-2009, 12:40 PM

One thing That needs to be Mentioned is Firing Pin Protrusion...It MUST be reset using the gauge on the screwdriver tool each time you disassemble the bolt and if You get it too tight , it will cause problems / and binding when trying to open the bolt...

Rich

R5CYA · 11-21-2009, 12:51 PM

good call mooseman! allways a good idea to check the pin after messing with the bolt.

Twitch2120 · 11-21-2009, 01:33 PM

quality you say? what weather is this gun made for? the soviets knew 2 things. cold and dirt. both of which are plentiful in that part of the globe. when "high quality" german rifles seized in WW2 during russian winters and the mosin didnt...guess who was gonna win in that department. when all that snow melted and created the dreaded mud that stopped troop movement for weeks and even months at a time guess whos rifles were working and whos werent?

remember in 'nam when the "high quality" m-16 was being bested by "low quality" mosins, SKS and AK-47's?

the russians didnt make low quality weapons. they made weapons that *gasp* worked! regardless of moisture, dust, dirt or temperature.

the mosin is a very high quality piece of equipment.

besides, how many other guns can you say double as a sledged hammer IF you can figure out how to break it?

LefthandShooter · 11-21-2009, 01:44 PM

Oh, just buy a 2x4x6 and take it to the range with you. It will open the bolt for you, but it takes several swings.

gandog56 · 11-21-2009, 02:38 PM

My bolt HAS to get hard to cycle. What's the problem?

R5CYA · 11-21-2009, 03:07 PM

i was waiting for that! lol!

11-20-2009, 10:53 PM	#1
RedbaronX71 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 288	my bolt cycles hard anyone else have a bolt that opens hard after firing? if it is cocked, the bolt opens and closes smoothly, but once I pull the trigger (snap caps or dry) the bolt is harder to open.... is this common? I've disassembled the bolt and there are no obstructions, and it doesn't look like there is any damage anyone else have this problem?

11-20-2009, 10:56 PM	#2
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 18,469	Sound like a dirty chamber, Have you gave it a good cleaning ? What are you shooting (brand rifle) ? And what kind of ammo ? Reloads ? This info will help...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 11-20-2009 at 10:58 PM.

11-20-2009, 11:00 PM	#4
R5CYA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Bruno, Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 2,738	find some of the old "bolt" posts and get to work polishing the parts that matter. this question comes up so often i can't believe the solutions haven't been made a "sticky" yet! __________________ Badges? We got no badges! i aint gotta show you no stinking badges!

11-21-2009, 12:01 AM	#6
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,782	Take your pinky finger and run it inside the bolt locking lug grooves inside the receiver with a patch on it. There could be some stuff in there you may have missed. Dental picks, Qtips can help get some dirt and grime out. You can also use carb cleaner to squirt in there. I would advise removing the stock before doing that if you choose. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

11-21-2009, 12:31 AM	#7
R5CYA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Bruno, Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 2,738	his problem is only with the bolt after the trigger's been pulled. it's the bolt not the lugs or chamber that needs attention. your mosin's bolt will always be harder to open after the trigger had been pulled. you can manually cock it by pulling the safety straight back to make it easier if you want. what i've done with some of mine is to polish the "ramps" on the bolt that slide on each other when you open the bolt. it made a huge difference on my m44. like most parts on a russian mosin, they were too rough to work smoothly. the trigger can be vastly improved with a bit of polishing in the right places as well. that's a whole nother post that need to be made a "sticky"! take your bolt apart and have a good look at it put it back together without the spring and "cycle" it a few times till you're familiar with how it works and what parts are rubbing on each other to re-cock it when you open it. those are the parts you want to polish. a small polishing wheel on a dremel would work great for this, i didn't care about keeping the original finish on my bolt, so i just poilished the whole thing on a metal polisher. only takes one finger, one thumb and no effort at all to open now. __________________ Badges? We got no badges! i aint gotta show you no stinking badges! Last edited by R5CYA; 11-21-2009 at 12:34 AM.

11-20-2009, 10:56 PM	#3
killsnapz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norwalk CT Posts: 498	Look down towards the bottom of the page and find the thread called "Sticky Bolt" Michael

11-20-2009, 11:21 PM	#5
RedbaronX71 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 288	1925 Izzy 91/30, thorough cleaning I'm posting as opposed to assuming it's just dirty because it cycles open hard ONLY after it's been fired... and I've not actually FIRED it with live rounds yet, just cleaned like crazy after getting it and "fired" with snap caps

11-21-2009, 09:42 AM	#10
jmp8927 Hermit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Walterboro, SC Posts: 2,827	^What they said. I took my bolt apart and polished the ramps that cock the bolt when opening then greased it with some dry graphite. After you fire it, you may have to look into bolt lugs and such, but not now. __________________ Fear not, for I am with you; Be not discouraged, for I am your God.

11-21-2009, 11:52 AM	#12
R5CYA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Bruno, Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 2,738	and if you really want it to work as it should, take the time to polish the parts that need it. calling the machining on these rifles "rough" is a massive understatement. o.k. by me. that why we can get them so cheap! __________________ Badges? We got no badges! i aint gotta show you no stinking badges!

11-21-2009, 12:40 PM	#15
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,789	One thing That needs to be Mentioned is Firing Pin Protrusion...It MUST be reset using the gauge on the screwdriver tool each time you disassemble the bolt and if You get it too tight , it will cause problems / and binding when trying to open the bolt... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

11-21-2009, 12:51 PM	#16
R5CYA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Bruno, Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 2,738	good call mooseman! allways a good idea to check the pin after messing with the bolt. __________________ Badges? We got no badges! i aint gotta show you no stinking badges!

11-21-2009, 01:33 PM	#17
Twitch2120 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucker, GA Posts: 436	quality you say? what weather is this gun made for? the soviets knew 2 things. cold and dirt. both of which are plentiful in that part of the globe. when "high quality" german rifles seized in WW2 during russian winters and the mosin didnt...guess who was gonna win in that department. when all that snow melted and created the dreaded mud that stopped troop movement for weeks and even months at a time guess whos rifles were working and whos werent? remember in 'nam when the "high quality" m-16 was being bested by "low quality" mosins, SKS and AK-47's? the russians didnt make low quality weapons. they made weapons that gasp worked! regardless of moisture, dust, dirt or temperature. the mosin is a very high quality piece of equipment. besides, how many other guns can you say double as a sledged hammer IF you can figure out how to break it? __________________ The right to bear arms is WAY less ludicrous than the right to arm bears!

11-21-2009, 01:44 PM	#18
LefthandShooter I LIKE POLKA!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio Posts: 5,412 Blog Entries: 2	Oh, just buy a 2x4x6 and take it to the range with you. It will open the bolt for you, but it takes several swings. __________________ "God gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into it's nest." J.G. Holland

11-21-2009, 02:38 PM	#19
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 13,957	My bolt HAS to get hard to cycle. What's the problem? __________________ People think I'm paranoid because I own guns. If I own guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

11-21-2009, 03:07 PM	#20
R5CYA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Bruno, Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 2,738	i was waiting for that! lol! __________________ Badges? We got no badges! i aint gotta show you no stinking badges!