Bolt too easy to open

[Sean357]

I recently got a Mossberg Patriot 30-06. Great shooter, a little too light but handy. Problem I have is that the bolt is way too easy to unlock. Chamber a round, safety on, sling it on my shoulder, 9 times out of ten it will be mostly to all the way rotated open when I unshoulder it. Is there a way to tighten the lockup to prevent this or is this considered good? I've already lost one round somewhere in the woods and don't like to think of losing more. And only loading a round when I see a deer is not an option, that's what safety's are for. Besides it would still unlock and rotate open in that case anyway. Any info would be appreciated on how any of you have dealt with this kind of issue. Heck I might just be being way too picky. Thanks.

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[Texas by God]

This is the result of the move away from bolt locking safeties. Maybe just neck size your reloads to add a little resistance to the bolt lift. I prefer- and all my current bolt actions have- bolt locking two position safeties.

[Hannibal]

I bet I can guess where this thread is going to go . . . .

[45workhorse]

Till you figure out a permanent solution, try slinging it on the other shoulder.
I wouldn't like loosing any brass either!

[Sean357]

Yeah I've been debating drilling the stock for some type of resistance, ball type or maybe adding epoxy to the poly stock to make a hump the bolt handle needs to pass to unlock.
Didn't even find out about bolt locking safety's till I started looking up this issue. But if this rifle doesn't work well with cast then that's what I'll end up looking for.
And it's usually when I switch shoulders that I see it's unlocked! Ha

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[Bazoo]

Might try degreasing the lugs. If they were almost dry it might help just enough.

[45workhorse]

oh well:mrgreen:

[country gent]

You might try a slightly heavier spring in the magazine well, the added tension on the underside of the bolt may help to keep it closed.

[Gtek]

Not familiar with rifle but went and looked at picture. What about disassembling bolt and clean all oil from shroud and internal bolt threads and put the heaviest grease you can find.

[JBinMN]

Have you contacted Mossberg & asked them about it yet?

https://www.mossberg.com/contact-us/ < has a built in email.

And this info:
Corporate Headquarters
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
7 Grasso Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473

Tel: (203) 230-5300 | 8:00am-4:30pm Eastern
Fax: (203) 230-5420

Service Inquiries:
U.S. (800) 363-3555 | 8:00am-4:30pm Eastern
Canada: (519) 509-4867 | Grech Outdoors
(778)-426-3884| Murray Charlton Enterprises Ltd.
Law Enforcement: (203) 230-5355 | 8:00am-4:30pm Eastern

And this link for Product Service & Repair » https://www.mossberg.com/service//

G'Luck!

[Wolfer]

My main hunting buddy has a new mossberg 243 that he hunted with this year. Bolt coming out of battery was a common problem.

Hope y’all come up with a fix for this.

[redhawk0]

I wonder if a smith could make a detent in the side of the bolt and put a ball/spring in the receiver to help keep pressure on the bolt when it's closed.

just a thought.

redhawk

[Wolfer]

I wonder if a smith could make a detent in the side of the bolt and put a ball/spring in the receiver to help keep pressure on the bolt when it's closed.

just a thought

redhawk

This is probably the best solution. However if you have to pay someone your bargain rifle isn’t a bargain anymore.

[redhawk0]

Good point, Wolfer. Maybe just a rubber band then :smile:

redhawk

[clodhopper]

Not familiar with rifle but went and looked at picture. What about disassembling bolt and clean all oil from shroud and internal bolt threads and put the heaviest grease you can find.

Good idea, but not a good plan for a hunting rifle in Montana, sometimes the weather is cool enough to freeze liquid oil and stick your firing pin.

[waksupi]

Good idea, but not a good plan for a hunting rifle in Montana, sometimes the weather is cool enough to freeze liquid oil and stick your firing pin.

Absolutely. For cold weather, I remove every bit of lubrication from the bolt.

[toallmy]

Would a fire formed piece of brass from that rifle still allow the bolt to be opened by mistake or two easy . Try opening and closing the bolt with a casing fired in the rifle but not resized , out of curiosity . If that helps you could just partially neck size . It's worth a try .
Like In post # 2 Tex By God mentioned this it might help .

[drfireman]

Unless Mossberg could correct it, I would tie a rubber band to front of trigger guard, then to the bolt. Snug enough to keep from opening, but you could still operate if needed.

[5Shot]

Would a fire formed piece of brass from that rifle still allow the bolt to be opened by mistake or two easy . Try opening and closing the bolt with a casing fired in the rifle but not resized , out of curiosity . If that helps you could just partially neck size . It's worth a try .
Like In post # 2 Tex By God mentioned this it might help .


My thought too. Maybe chamber is on the long side and the ammo is a bit short.

[pietro]

I've been debating drilling the stock for some type of resistance, ball type or maybe adding epoxy to the poly stock to make a hump the bolt handle needs to pass to unlock.




Since it would be flexible enough, I would install a rubber band to hold the bolt in battery, and keep a few backups in a pocket in case the elastic broke or went walkabout when the bolt was cycled.


.

[SvenLindquist]

Sell it and buy a T/C Compass. Better rifle same $.

[rbuck351]

Carry it slung muzzle down???

[EDG]

Carry it with the chamber empty and hold the trigger as you close the bolt. The mainspring and cocking cam will hold the bolt closed.

[Texas by God]

I just looked at one at the local gun store and I see the problem that you described. I would not like that either. If you take it out of the stock and look at the thumb safety there may be a way to add a rod behind the stock to lock the bolt handle down when on safe. I'd trade it on one that does lock the bolt, probably.

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[nicholst55]

I wonder if a smith could make a detent in the side of the bolt and put a ball/spring in the receiver to help keep pressure on the bolt when it's closed.

just a thought.

redhawk

A much better idea than running the locking lugs bone dry. We apply a very light coat of grease to the back of the locking lugs to prevent them from galling. Not sure that I would personally keep a rifle that the bolt wouldn't stay locked/closed on, myself.

[Texas by God]

Or a pressure pad on the wood stock model perhaps.
It's a lawyer design, a gun that unloads itself when you're not looking[emoji58]

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[Sean357]

Totally forgot about this gun till I started getting notifications yesterday. Vehicles issues kept me distracted.
Grabbed a handfull of fired brass and checked the action with them, looks like neck sizing only would help with the issue a bit. Offers a little more resistance to opening the bolt. And with wolfers friend and Texas both seeing the same issue I know it's not just me being crazy.
So I'll try adding an epoxy bump and use neck sized brass and see what that does. Rubber band idea would work but if it comes down to that I'll just sell it and get something else. Those Thompsons do look really nice.

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[Sean357]

Also thanks for all the input everyone.

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[17nut]

Good idea, but not a good plan for a hunting rifle in Montana, sometimes the weather is cool enough to freeze liquid oil and stick your firing pin.

Many moons ago i spoke with some Swedes from Lapland.
They had a pint jar filled with kero just beside the door and dipped their bolts just as they went out into the cold.
Never had a weak hit or sticky bolt.

[Goatwhiskers]

As Rbuck said, sling muzzle down. Takes a minute to get used to, but the bolt never opens. GW

[Texas by God]

As Rbuck said, sling muzzle down. Takes a minute to get used to, but the bolt never opens. GWPlus it's quick to get in a hasty sling loop that way and shoot better.

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