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M44 bolt jamming
nutrac21
Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
I bought an M44 from Big 5 a few weeks ago. I took it out to the range and after each shot I had a very hard time opening the bolt. I had to literally hit the bolt hard to pop out the shell. I am using Olympic Ammo 7.62X54. I took it back because I thought it might be a bolt issue and they exchanged it and I got a new one. I took the new one out last weekend, and it is easier, but not much and still not like it should be (I was using the same ammo). I am warry about putting too much money into it because I bought it for $104 out the door. Any ideas?
Thanks,
nutrac21
Thanks,
nutrac21
Comments
The cocking cam could be a little rough (a lot of the M-44's being sold were never issued, IOW there brand new) and a dab of greese on the cam might help out.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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Tailgunner1954, the striker (also the safety) is very hard to pull back but it is possible. I don't understand how this would effect the firing, or does it? Also, how do I add grease to the cocking cam? I don't know what part of the bolt that is.
Thanks
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So, 1KYDSTR, if it is a head space problem will it continue to be a problem or will it get better? If it will get better, I will plan on keeping it and just put a bunch of rounds through it. But if it will not get better, I should return it and get my money back. You know? Does anybody know if Olympic is a hot load? Anyone know where I would get a lighter loaded round that would ship to California? I really only want one box to see if it would solve the problem.
Tailgunner1954, the striker (also the safety) is very hard to pull back but it is possible. I don't understand how this would effect the firing, or does it? Also, how do I add grease to the cocking cam? I don't know what part of the bolt that is.
Thanks
Headspace dosn't get better by itself, it requires the minestrations of a gunsmith. FYI: Your rifles headspace is the difference between the breachface/boltface clearance and the thickness of the rim.
Pulling the striker back before opening the bolt removes the force required to for the rifle to do it for you from the equasion. It's a process of elimination as to where the problem lies. At the rear of the bolt body there is a ramp that forces the striker back when you lift the bolt handle, you can get a dab (use a toothpick dipped in grease, it also holds about the right size "dab") of grease on this ramp with the bolt out of the rifle.
The Nagants I've had required a firm up-slap of the bolt handle, going "gently" wasn't there style.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
But they are reliable, robust actions.
You should not be having to use that much force to open the bolt.
Try cleaning the chamber real well. Remove the bolt. Get a wire brush for a .45. Screw it into one section of cleaning rod and chuck it into a drill. It wouldn't hurt to put a little JB paste on it. Slide that up into the chamber and spin it for a few minutes.
You could wind a thin film of fine steel wool around the brush and put some Hoppes on it.
I am not familiar with that ammo. Some of the Mosin ammo has lacquered cases and after firing the lacquer will come off inside the chamber.
Try some Sellier and Bellot ammo, it is pretty good quality. It could be you just have a batch of grubby ammo. Anyway it would be a good idea to clean the chamber.
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