Bolt issue

[mandruch]

I just got done with a 1943 IZ 91/30 for a friend's son. I basically did my standard cleaning and reassembly hoping it would fix an issue he had where the gun would fire when locking the bolt. Not good. The issue is in his bolt as several of my bolts work fine in his receiver. Any ideas?

[Junk Yard Dog]

The only way it could fire is if the tip of the firing pin is protruding all the way out when the bolt is closed on a live cartridge. Take a close look at the sear, sometimes called the bolt stop, and the trigger. This is the part of the trigger assembaly that sticks up from the bottom of the receiver and catches the cocking piece as the bolt is closed, forcing the cocking piece back and cocking the bolt. It's worn, not there, cocking piece or bolt stop are damaged were they catch on each other, a trigger pin issue ( loose or missing) This can be done by eye, just close the bolt and watch to see if the cocking piece is being held back as the rest of the bolt body moves forward, you will feel the increased pressure as it catches and you force the bolt forward. If you see it let go, or it fails to catch at all then replace the bolt stop/sear, and closely eyeball that cocking piece, if it looks worn then replace it also. If the trigger pin is loose, it's hole elongated so much that it's allowing the trigger/sear assembly to noticeably drop, retire the rifle to the wall. Liberty tree has the parts you will need, just click their banner at the top of any board page. Then click on Okie and buy a set of headspace gauges so you can check that as well.

[mandruch]

I can get his bolt to catch if I'm careful to push the bolt forward using a lot of pressure, but when you release the bolt it fires. Why doesn't this happen when I use my bolt groups? Sloppy tolerance? It simply works with mine and not with his. Maybe the parts you talked about are worn enough to malfunction with his particular bolt?

[Junk Yard Dog]

Sloppy tolerance, replace all the mentioned parts, none are expensive or hard to find, then bounce test that rifle just to be sure it's holding. He had it fire a live round like that? This is why safety checks before hitting the range are so important, and drilling it into their little heads that you never chamber a live round until the rifle is pointed downrange at the target and they are about to shoot.

[mandruch]

Thank you. I will take your advice and replace the parts. Yes, I told him not to fire the rifle until I went over it! I'm gonna smack his dad too.

[musketjon]

If your bolts work and his doesn't it sounds to me that the cocking piece is the culprit.
Jon

[racerguy00]

I agree, the cocking piece seems to be the issue.

[mandruch]

The cocking piece being the very back of the bolt group, where you pull back for the safety position? I see no difference between them...ugh.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Swap just the cocking piece with one of your's, not the entire bolt, then see what happens. Bump test it.

[bunkysdad]

How does the bolt in question work of it is put into a different rifle? If you have not tried it I works be interested to hear the results.

[mandruch]

How does the bolt in question work of it is put into a different rifle? If you have not tried it I works be interested to hear the results.

Good call. Why I don't think of these things myself? The bolt worked flawlessly in my M44. I have trigger parts on the way.

[mandruch]

It's fixed guys. Thanks for your help. I replaced the chunky trigger, worn extractor and sear. Works great! Much less front to back play with the normal looking trigger.

[Junk Yard Dog]