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Difficult cock-on-opening bolt
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I recently acquired a little Sako L46, a really old one with the left hand wing safety instead of the rolling safety on the RH side of the bolt.

It is very difficult to raise the bolt, even on an empty chamber. The problem seems to be with the interaction of the firing pin camming surface and the camming surface of the bolt (the cocking of the firing pin). I polished the bolt's camming surface with a Dremel tool, but the problem only got worse!

Anyone have any experience with such a problem?
 
Posts: 13213 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
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Yes.
Strip the bolt and make sure nothing is dragging inside. On Mausers sometimes the internal firing pin safety lugs drag on the bolt cut inside. Not sure about Sako.
Soft cocking pieces can make them sticky, as can dirt, rust, burrs on the threads, and stiff main springs, all can make for hard opening. Good lube is important.
 
Posts: 17023 | Location: USA | Registered: 02 August 2009Reply With Quote
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I have seen the "bubbathing" of cutting off a couple coils...accuracy will go to hell in a basket
 
Posts: 3433 | Location: Phone: (253) 535-0066 / (253) 230-5599, Address: PO Box 822 Spanaway WA 98387 | www.customgunandrifle.com | Registered: 16 April 2013Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
I have seen the "bubbathing" of cutting off a couple coils...accuracy will go to hell in a basket

Interesting. Why is that?
 
Posts: 1059 | Registered: 02 April 2008Reply With Quote
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"couple is a loose term...but the more taken off, the more ignition suffers
 
Posts: 3433 | Location: Phone: (253) 535-0066 / (253) 230-5599, Address: PO Box 822 Spanaway WA 98387 | www.customgunandrifle.com | Registered: 16 April 2013Reply With Quote
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I'd try soaking the disassembled bolt body in Ed's Red or Kroil. Then trying a brush thru it. Repeat as necessary. I've seen dried oil and carbon crud harden to the point it causes similar issues.
 
Posts: 3272 | Location: Western Slope Colorado, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001Reply With Quote
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I would harden and polish the cocking cam. I would also check closely to see if the cocking piece tenon was galling in the bolt body. Regards, Bill
 
Posts: 3480 | Location: Elko, B.C. Canada | Registered: 19 June 2000Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Bill Leeper:
I would harden and polish the cocking cam. I would also check closely to see if the cocking piece tenon was galling in the bolt body. Regards, Bill


This^^^ Especially in light of this statement: "I polished the bolt's camming surface with a Dremel tool, but the problem only got worse!"

Remember that most cocking pieces and cocking cams have a helical cut on them. if you flatten them out when stoning or polishing, you can make them more difficult to cock.




Aut vincere aut mori
 
Posts: 4857 | Location: Lakewood, CO | Registered: 07 February 2002Reply With Quote
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Make sure the stripped and cleaned bolt body operates smoothly in the receiver before doing anything.
 
Posts: 526 | Registered: 13 March 2011Reply With Quote
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Have a good gunsmith look at it..I have and have had a number of those great little L-46s and never a problem, maybe somebody has pranked with yours..test the hardness of the cocking piece with a 3 corner file..


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 41752 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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