Loose bolt, is it the spring?

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16 June 2003, 19:21

Dago Red

Loose bolt, is it the spring?

See if I can describe this well. On a few of my rifles, the sporterized military rifles, the bolt seems to have a bit of play in it. if you have it closed, grab the handle, you can lift if a little ways with no trouble. you can take it in a couple of fingers and jiggle it basically.

My question is, is this normal? Or is it possibly a weak main/firing pin spring? I have one 98 that is not like that, and it is one that the spring was replaced in.

Thanks all.

red

17 June 2003, 00:00

carcano91

quote:
Originally posted by Dago Red:
On a few of my rifles, the sporterized military rifles, the bolt seems to have a bit of play in it. if you have it closed, grab the handle, you can lift if a little ways with no trouble. you can take it in a couple of fingers and jiggle it basically.

My question is, is this normal?

In an unloaded gun: yes. In a loaded gun: no.

Carcano

17 June 2003, 03:18

<JBelk>

Dago Red---

Look at how the cocking piece fits in the cocking cam. That tells you exactly how much play there should be. If there's play between the cocking piece and cam, but not in the assembled rifle, it means the bolt handle is improperly fit to the action or stock. It causes flyers, too.

17 June 2003, 04:32

Dago Red

Carcano, It is on an unloaded chamber, on a loaded chamber there is no problem with this.

Jack, I will have to check that tonight. I will take a look at my book first to make sure I am looking at the right parts. :-)

So there might be play between the cocking piece and cam, and if so and it is still there when the rifle is assembled then it is O.K.?

Thanks guys.

Red