m38 still not working right. VERY DEPRESSED. HELP!!!

[z31jaime]

chamber is clean. I got it used so It wasn't covered in the cosmoline stuff and I spend about 4 hours total cleaning it with hopps 9.

[MN Fan]

I'd try this (I wish you had snap caps versus live ammo!):

When inserted by hand, will the shell seat firmly in the head bore and under the extractor like this?



Then, using a black Sharpie, color your extractor tip like this:



Now, carefully cycle a round and remove the bolt. Check the extractor for any missing color. The face, or point of the extractor should be completely black still. If some of the coloring was rubbed off, check the circular groove on the face of your chamber. I am wondering if there is some dried crude in there. I checked three of mine and the groove is surprisingly well made. If there's something in there, it would interfere with the extractor.

Next, VERY carefully, push a round into the chamber with your finger. Now, invert the rifle muzzle up and see if the cartridge falls out on its own.

Finally, if you don't learn anything from these tests. take your sharpie to a round and color it completely. Cycle it and observe any scratch marks or any coloring removal, including the case facing.

These tests should tell you where the problem is.

Good luck!

[desdem12]

Very Nice Cliff. I always take a flashlight and a real good look at the extractor channel upon first cleaning.

[MN Fan]

Thanks Brad. Man, I wish I had his rifle in my hands for 30 minutes! I know several here do too. He'll get it. A M38 is too sweet of a rifle to give up on!

[z31jaime]

I'd try this (I wish you had snap caps versus live ammo!):

When inserted by hand, will the shell seat firmly in the head bore and under the extractor like this?



Then, using a black Sharpie, color your extractor tip like this:



Now, carefully cycle a round and remove the bolt. Check the extractor for any missing color. The face, or point of the extractor should be completely black still. If some of the coloring was rubbed off, check the circular groove on the face of your chamber. I am wondering if there is some dried crude in there. I checked three of mine and the groove is surprisingly well made. If there's something in there, it would interfere with the extractor.

Next, VERY carefully, push a round into the chamber with your finger. Now, invert the rifle muzzle up and see if the cartridge falls out on its own.

Finally, if you don't learn anything from these tests. take your sharpie to a round and color it completely. Cycle it and observe any scratch marks or any coloring removal, including the case facing.

These tests should tell you where the problem is.

Good luck!

Pic #1 is a big 10-4 with mine, they sit just like that in mine. Now for #2 my NOS Finnish extractor is already black in color so I don't have to do the sharpie trick, there is black missing on the extractor, right at the point where the rim clips, but thats it. the head is fine.

As for flipping the gun for rounds in the chamber, some just flop out others i gotta tap the butt on the floor and they will fall out. again all depends on the round.

I didn't think about coloring the rounds but Ill do that tonight when I get home.

1 more thing, am I correct to assume that the extractor should sit flush with the back ot the bolt head? Looking at your pic #2 yout extractor is flush on the end of it, (far left side) mine sitcks out a few MM, but according to the Gunsmith is where it should be.

[desdem12]

I think all of mine sit flush but it must be able to go over the rim of the cartridge. Here again another bolt on hand would be really handy for you and you could tell if there were any differences. Did you take the extractor out and try that like one of the other guys suggested? This would tell you if it is an extractor problem or headspace problem.

[z31jaime]

u mean cycle it without the extractor? havent tried that yet, but I can't even get the extractor off, hence when I took it to a gunsmith in the first place.

[desdem12]

There is a youtube video showing how to take the extractor off. If it is fiting wrong then i would think you would need a new bolt head then. You can buy just the head with or w/o extractor or just get the whole bolt and then replace the head. And of course cheack head space after the swap. I am with MN on the thinking that it is something simple to fix but i am sure it is drivin you nuts right now

[MN Fan]

Sorry, had to run and get some Chinese for dinner

Try the sharpie round when you get time. Then try the headspace check with the extractor out as was suggested. These are some tedious things to try, but at least they're free

You'll get it, hang in there.

[z31jaime]

Thanks guys, I'll try the stuff tomorrow I work form 6pm to 4am so its going to be a long night. I've seen the youtube video and followed the directions and I'm still unable to "hammer" the extractor back out, its in there tighter than a bull frogs ass hole.

[z31jaime]

BTW do we have any members in FLorida? I'm going camping in Seabring overthe weekend, so I could bring it with me and make a "pit stop"if someone wanted to look at it.

I'm already driving almost 100 miles for that, might as well add a few more for the rifle.

[desdem12]

I think there are 6 or 7 and they are listed in the where are you from sticky at the top

[z31jaime]

OK I'll check it out, I don't think I've noticed any of them post on here,

Anyways I just ordered a pack of Snap Caps,

Figure if I'm going to work this on my own I better pony up the $ and get the needed equipment before I cause an accident.

[MN Fan]

Good job

You'll get this, or at least find out for sure what it is. I'm thinking at worst case, you're going to have to do a little polishing inside your chamber or possibly swap the bolt head. You've already replaced the extractors and tried other ammo. It can't be much else

[bunkysdad]

Ok, so have you posted any pictures of this rifle? You said your extractor is already black, and your bolt is Finnish? Is the while bolt blued? Is this a Finnish m38? Or were you speaking of a bolt from a different rifle ?

[desdem12]

I think it is just a finish blued extractor is all.

[z31jaime]

Florida:
SA1911a1......................North Florida near Chattahoochee
alwyswrkng......................Northeast florida, Orange Park
Fletch48......................Southport, Northwest Fl
Scratch......................Charlotte County
Kascus......................Kascus- Pensacola
4045481......................Hobe Sound, Martin County


FAIL they are all WELL Norht of me except for Scratch who is WELL SOUTH of me... Damn it.

LOL

and yes its just the extractor...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Mosin-Nagan ... 1c219a8c3b

[Junk Yard Dog]

Dam, wish I had something to add here but a gunsmith I am not, neither are them two other guys you mentioned earlier. If you have to a spare bolt can be had on Gunbroker.com most days for around $50 or so. A bolt head for considerably less.

[SA1911a1]

Dude, just send me the rifle. I promise I will fix it.

[z31jaime]

Dam, wish I had something to add here but a gunsmith I am not, neither are them two other guys you mentioned earlier. If you have to a spare bolt can be had on Gunbroker.com most days for around $50 or so. A bolt head for considerably less.

Well seeing as I'm already over $300 in the hole with this I really don't wanna spend more $ unless I absolutly have to. Hence why I was looking for locals who would be willing to check it out for me/ help me fix it.