Bolt Would not Close

[JoeZ]

Just thought I'd share some information if any one runs into the problem I just had. I took my bolt apart, put it back together and re installed it hoping to check the headspace. It would not close at all (without the guage). Took it back out, disassembled.....reassembled.....still would not close. I readjusted the firing pin protrusion and got it to close, but the firing pin was out way too far. Drew it back in and same problem. This went on for about 1/2 hour. After about the 10th time, I disassembled it, laid the parts out and looked at a parts diagram. I noticed that I had an extra part that was not in the picture of the parts diagram. Someone before me had installed a spring that was too short and the fix was a bushing to help compress the short spring. I took the spring from another bolt that was given to me, put it in without the bushing and that did the trick. Measured headspace and all is well now.

Does anyone know if that bushing would have ever been installed from the factory, or was it most likely put in by a previous owner?

My theory is that when the previous owner heated up the bolt to bend it (I mentioned this in previous posts), the heat affected the spring, so a new...incorrect ..one was installed. It was too short so the fix was to put a busing in there.

So if anyone is having problems with the bolt not closing, one thing to check is if the correct spring is in there.

Joe

[steelbuttplate]

Sounds like good ol Yankee ingenuity to me We don't do shit like that in the south....SBP

[Titanium Hammer]

Bubba. It's a good thing you checked the headspace.

[polymerase2]

Thanks for the info

[Adam_9130]

When I bought my first 91/30 I took the bolt apart to clean and soon realized the threads were broken. Luckily I was able to get it fixed with a thread chaser. Glad to see you got yours all fixed up!!!

[bunkysdad]

This is why the dealers that sell used guns have a disclaimer to have them checked by a qualified gunsmith to verify safety. Isn't it nice to save the money and use it for things l like a headspace guage, sight tool, or ammo by learning to check them yourself? Good job diagnosing and fixing the problem.

[qz2026]

Heated the bolt up to bend it? I guess I didn't read the post but am afraid to now Definitely not done during refurbishment. This was bubba's work and this bubba was out of his mind.... Good catch..

[JoeZ]

Heated the bolt up to bend it? I guess I didn't read the post but am afraid to now Definitely not done during refurbishment. This was bubba's work and this bubba was out of his mind.... Good catch..

I was more surprised that he didn't take it apart to bend it. I knew that he did it himself because he told me, but he did give me another straight, unaltered bolt assembly when I made the purchase. I have spoken to a few people and bending the bolt is done on occasion. I took it out on Saturday and fired it with the modified bent bolt. My first time firing a Nagant. I love it. It is shooting pretty far to the left, so I will have to make some front site adjustments, but the bolt seems to be working fine. A little tight extracting, but still a lot of fun. I did not try the straight bolt yet, but am happy that the bent one still works and didn't come apart on me. I got through about 20 rounds before the stinging in my shoulder was getting to be too much.

[qz2026]

Are you talking about bending the bolt handle?

[JoeZ]

Are you talking about bending the bolt handle?

Yes. The guy that owned the gun before me had heated up the bolt handle and bent it down in order to put a scope on it which he never did.

[qz2026]

Oh, that's unfortunate.