How to make the bolt smoother?

Mizzoujohn · Post by **Mizzoujohn** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:13 pm

It's not as buttery smooth as it could be. I've taken it apart and oiled it, etc. any ideas?
John

Greasemonkey · Post by **Greasemonkey** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:45 am

If the rifle is a refurb, use it and shoot it, I've had a few rough feeling bolts that got smoother with use, especially opening and closing the bolt.

tjtM38 · Post by **tjtM38** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:10 am

I agree with Greasemonkey. These guns will get better with use. Some of these refurb guns have new parts like the ejector/interrupter and will get smoother as the springs get broken in.

Post by **Junk Yard Dog** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:33 am

Military firearms are not intended or designed to be smooth except for the US Krag. The mosin can be more of a pepper grinder than some, but a stiff bolt is expected so long as it chambers the round and extracts it without it sticking in or out of the chamber. Don't baby the bolt, smack the bolt knob hard using the palm of your hand to open it, carry it through to the end of it's travel, and slam it closed in one motion.

BostonMike · Post by **BostonMike** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 5:34 am

My M44s bolt was stiff. Regular use has "worn" it in to the point it's probably the smoothest bolt of any of the Mosins I own.

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Post by **Darryl** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 1:12 pm

Sometimes a bit (lightly) of gun grease in the right spots on the bolt will help a bit, but these are battle rifles, not modern hunting rifles and they will always be a little tougher to use.

Dolk

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:44 pm

I have to slam the bolt on my westing house like the fist of an angry god to get it to close on a chambered round.

kermit · Post by **kermit** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:28 pm

Jackson wrote:I have to slam the bolt on my westing house like the fist of an angry god to get it to close on a chambered round.

both of mine are smooth. in fact all 6 bolts i have work smooth and i have checked head space on all so i know i can use any bolt with either rifle.

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 5:36 pm

it's not the headspace, extractor doesn't want to slide over the rim.

m91/30_izhevsk · Post by **m91/30_izhevsk** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:14 pm

If you pay attention to where bolt body and the cocking knob ride on each other, a little bit of lubrication in those areas goes a long way.

kermit · Post by **kermit** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:49 pm

Jackson wrote:it's not the headspace, extractor doesn't want to slide over the rim.

did you polish the extracter? on you tube there is a video about doing it.
post modified for forum moderater.

Post by **bunkysdad** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:20 pm

Practically a legend around here.

desdem12 · Post by **desdem12** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:38 pm

Check the face of the extractor. sometimes it gets rough. If it has some deep lines in it then it could use a polish or replacement.

Post by **Junk Yard Dog** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 4:21 am

Just get another extractor and replace it.

BostonMike · Post by **BostonMike** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 4:37 am

Polishing the camming surface between the cocking knob and bolt make a difference too. I usually hit it with a buffer for a few seconds. A little grease there and work it for a while usually results in a nice smooth bolt on my rifles.

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Hombre · Post by **Hombre** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:31 am

Also make sure that there is no gunk in the extractor relief cut - the cut runs from about 1 to 5 oclock on the face of the chamber.

Post by **Junk Yard Dog** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:57 am

I have a set of dental picks I use for cleaning that, then I blast it with WD40 to wash out the loose crud, all I use WD for on a firearm.

Post by **Junk Yard Dog** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:59 am

I think I got the pics from Sportsman's Guide, but Midway or a medical supply catalog could probably supply them. Very handy for getting at the tight spots.

kermit · Post by **kermit** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:29 am

there is usually cosmoline in groove and on extracter that can only be removed by removing extracter. to remove it from bolt head i use a drift to move it away from cartridge seat face in a straight direction towards opposite end of bolt face (linier direction/not side to side) then install opposite direction removed from.

TopperT · Post by **TopperT** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:29 am

Also make sure that there is no gunk in the extractor relief cut - the cut runs from about 1 to 5 oclock on the face of the chamber.

THIS is very good advice for ALL Mosin Nagants....often I find tiny bits of hard GUNK in many rifles in the recess......

Get some LOOONG Q-Tips, some Hopps#9 or GunScurbber and a BRIGHT flashlight and clean this area out.
It really makes a difference I have found. Damn Good suggestions from the rest as well.
I do admit to using a bit of "NeverDull" to go over "things" and it can and will make a difference.

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