This one stumps me. A friend brought by his old and worn Model 100 rifle in .308 which is blissfully empty. The bolt will not retract, but doesn't appear to be "frozen" in the traditional sense. There is minimal rotation when pushing upon the slightly exposed lugs, either thru the magizine well, or from the ejection port. The rifle cannot be broken down because the bolt and action rods not retracting prevent removal from the stock. The sad part is while this rifle is in ugly condition, the bore and it's accuracy are amazing. Frankly it's been so many years since I have been into the guts of a Model 100 (Hoped to never be there again) that I have at an impasse. Please help us out.

I had a 100 in the shop earlier in the year and you are correct about not removing the stock unless the operating rod is compressed. Kind of a catch-22 to fix.

Me thinks that a part in the trigger/hammer assembly has broken and is now jaming the bolt from retracting. Try retracting the bolt with the gun in another position i.e. upside down. Maybe the piece will fall free.

Keep us posted.

Spoor, Thanks for the idea. I'll try that when I go down to the shop later. I hope it is that easy as the bolt is firmly forward. Will let you know the outcome. /

If it's a part of the trigger group/hammer, remove the rear action screw and pry it down as far as you safely can,( carefull not to bend the side rails), to help clear the back of the bolt. Like spoor said turning it up side down will help also.

It could be one of the older ones that did not have the firing pin replaced. This may be what caused the jam. On the other hand, if it is that old it may be the gas cylinder is corroded to the point it will not open. Try a plastic hammer on the operation lever; not too hard though.

It sounds like the gas piston is froze.

These are a $#@!*& to get undone.

Jim Wisner.