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Thread: Mosin: Hard to close Bolt

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Mosin: Hard to close Bolt

    Westinghouse M91:
    Rifle is in excellent condition, clean and headspace is good
    Bolt closes fine on empty chamber.
    Feels like the cartridge rim is having a hard time getting past the extractor. Extractor is very stiff.
    Ideas?
    Failure is not an Option

  2. #2
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    ShooterAZ's Avatar
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    What ammunition are you using in it? Is it reloads or factory loads? I know this isn't much help, but it sounds like an ammo problem to me. I have some loading issues with Winchester brand 7.62x54R cases in my MN. Never a problem with Privi or surplus ammo.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
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    Slip a cartridge onto the bolt face when the bolt is about half closed and try to close the bolt. If the extractor is engaged on the rim already and the bolt won't close then the extractor probably isn't the problem. Possibly a burr or brass build up in the chamber. If the bolt closes then it probably is an extractor issue.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy Stewbaby's Avatar
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    Mosin: Hard to close Bolt

    Probably just still needs some cosmoline cleaned out. Or as ShooterAZ says, stick to European ammo (I’ve had similar issues with Winchester).

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy

    oconeedan's Avatar
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    I had one do this, the lacquer coated steel cases I was shooting left a coating in the chamber. I used solvent and a bore brush to clean it up, and it worked fine after that. Then...I used handloads with brass cases and cast bullets!

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Putting a round on bolt face for a try and a chambering check would be my first run, excellent advise from above. I have taken the prying screwdriver to a few and the dreaded Dremil to polish extractor faces with some success.

  7. #7
    Boolit Bub
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    I had one like this but am thinking it may have closed hard even with an empty chamber. Found a YouTube on the outer diameter of the bolt-face fix. I did his 2-min fix and it closes much easier now.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    Double checked.
    It is having a hard time getting past the extractor
    Failure is not an Option

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    pworley1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oconeedan View Post
    I had one do this, the lacquer coated steel cases I was shooting left a coating in the chamber. I used solvent and a bore brush to clean it up, and it worked fine after that. Then...I used handloads with brass cases and cast bullets!
    This has been the issue when I had a hard to close bolt.
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by oconeedan View Post
    I had one do this, the lacquer coated steel cases I was shooting left a coating in the chamber. I used solvent and a bore brush to clean it up, and it worked fine after that. Then...I used handloads with brass cases and cast bullets!
    Not the case here. The chamber is shiny clean.
    Failure is not an Option

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    Pull bolt from rifle. Pop the extractor out of it's slot and thoroughly clean slot and extractor. Check for burrs on the extractor and in the slot that would bind normal flexing. If too tight a fit at front end of extractor along sides, lightly stone the sides to allow free flexing. Check fit as you go with a cartridge under the extractor and placed on the bolt face. Check function by placing the cartridge rim on the left side of the bolt face and trying to pivot the rim to the right to snap the extractor over the rim.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    It's cured
    A friend sent me a pic of how the extractor should be. Adjusted it and now all is well.
    Thanks for all the input
    Failure is not an Option

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    extractor or ejector? i thought the extractor on the bolthead is keyed so that it can only go one way.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milsurp Junkie View Post
    extractor or ejector? i thought the extractor on the bolthead is keyed so that it can only go one way.
    Extractor.
    It was adjusted to deep in the channel.
    To far inside the bolt face.
    Had to bend it back a little bit.
    Failure is not an Option

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check