Bolt Hard To Close 03-A3

[usmc69]

A friend bought a 03-A3 yesterday. He shot it this morning and had difficulties with the bolt. The bolt is hard to close, like it wants to hang up and needs several attempts or a rather stiff push or hard thrust to close. Rifle is like new. Doubt it has had more than 50 rounds though it. Will post pictures latter. Best guesses as to the problem. We do not see and shiny spots or scoring on the bolt that would give us a starting point as to the problem.

[Major Tom]

My o3A3 does the same thing, but, not 100% of the time. I just thought it was the brass differences. I handload and full lenght size all my 30-06 brass. In my case there were no shiny marks or other marks on the brass. All loads are mild.

[1903nm]

I have had similar problems with some Greek ammo we were issued at a local Garand/Springfield match. Never had problems with my loads in Winchester brass.

[Parashooter]

Look at the front face of the extractor. You will see a small bevel that allows it to snap over a chambered cartridge's rim. The finish and angle of that bevel can often be improved with a little careful work using a fine round abrasive stone (manually or very cautiously in a "Dremel" tool). This may ease the problem when cartridges are single-loaded directly into the chamber.

If the hang-up occurs when cartridges are fed from the magazine, smoothing/deburring the inside edge of the extractor hook may help feeding, as can polishing bolt face and feed rails.

If the problem happens even when closing the bolt with empty mag and chamber, check condition and function of the bolt sleeve lock and the point it contacts on the receiver bridge. Wear (or stacked tolerances) here can prevent the lock from camming in far enough to uncouple the sleeve fully from the bolt.

A more detailed description of the malady could aid diagnosis. Does the handle turn part-way then jam or not turn at all? Is the chamber being directly single-loaded or fed from the magazine? Factory ammo or handloads? Headspace checked? Chamber thoroughly cleaned or maybe has some hidden debris? Do fired cases appear normal or have odd dents/scratches?

[kcw]

I have had similar problems with some Greek ammo we were issued at a local Garand/Springfield match. Never had problems with my loads in Winchester brass.

Lot 1156- HXP - 70. Rounds from this lot have been found to be a bit tight in my GI bolt rifles, but still usable. Nothing noticeable in the M-1's. In my custom barreled A3 & M1917 sporters it is useless as those guns have been purposely chambered on the short side of spec. FL resized and trimmed, it works fine in the sporters.

[kcw]

A friend bought a 03-A3 yesterday. He shot it this morning and had difficulties with the bolt. The bolt is hard to close, like it wants to hang up and needs several attempts or a rather stiff push or hard thrust to close. Rifle is like new. Doubt it has had more than 50 rounds though it. Will post pictures latter. Best guesses as to the problem. We do not see and shiny spots or scoring on the bolt that would give us a starting point as to the problem.

The problem is only in the closing of the bolt on a live round, but not on the extraction of a fired casing?

[usmc69]

Look at the front face of the extractor. You will see a small bevel that allows it to snap over a chambered cartridge's rim. The finish and angle of that bevel can often be improved with a little careful work using a fine round abrasive stone (manually or very cautiously in a "Dremel" tool). This may ease the problem when cartridges are single-loaded directly into the chamber.

If the hang-up occurs when cartridges are fed from the magazine, smoothing/deburring the inside edge of the extractor hook may help feeding, as can polishing bolt face and feed rails.

If the problem happens even when closing the bolt with empty mag and chamber, check condition and function of the bolt sleeve lock and the point it contacts on the receiver bridge. Wear (or stacked tolerances) here can prevent the lock from camming in far enough to uncouple the sleeve fully from the bolt.

A more detailed description of the malady could aid diagnosis. Does the handle turn part-way then jam or not turn at all? Is the chamber being directly single-loaded or fed from the magazine? Factory ammo or handloads? Headspace checked? Chamber thoroughly cleaned or maybe has some hidden debris? Do fired cases appear normal or have odd dents/scratches?

The problem is only in the closing of the bolt on a live round, but not on the extraction of a fired casing?

Only when attempting to close the bolt on a round fed from the magazine.

[IditarodJoe]

Weak follower spring or improperly installed follower?

[Mike D]

I'd take the guts out of the bolt and try to feed a live round from the mag. If it still hangs up, take off the extractor and try again. You should be able to narrow down the problem that way.

Mike

[m1903rifle]

Is it short chambered? Have you checked the head space?

[Parashooter]

Does the handle turn part-way then jam - or not turn at all? Factory ammo or handloads? Headspace checked? Chamber thoroughly cleaned or maybe has some hidden debris? Do fired cases appear normal or have odd dents/scratches?

Without answers to these questions it's pretty much impossible to offer more than guesses.

[usmc69]

Does the handle turn part-way then jam - or not turn at all? Factory ammo or handloads? Headspace checked? Chamber thoroughly cleaned or maybe has some hidden debris? Do fired cases appear normal or have odd dents/scratches?

Without answers to these questions it's pretty much impossible to offer more than guesses.

It is catching before it even picks up a round from the magazine. Initial push (I guess it would be called) of the bolt before it has traveled a 1/2 inch. Once it starts to feed the round everything works as advertised. Bolt closes fine and it extracts just fine. All rounds in a six inch bull at 100 yards on the initial range period. This is the rifle: http://www.jouster.com/forums/showth...on-1903-A3-NIB

[Major Tom]

I still believe the problem is the ammo itself. After checking, I did find that the Greek ammo was the culprit.

[IditarodJoe]

Only when attempting to close the bolt on a round fed from the magazine.

It is catching before it even picks up a round from the magazine. Initial push (I guess it would be called) of the bolt before it has traveled a 1/2 inch.

This isn't entirely clear. Does the hangup happen even when the magazine is empty? When there are cartridges in the magazine but before the bolt contacts the case head? After the bolt contacts the case head? Does it happen on all five rounds from a full magazine?

Put a snap cap in the magazine and watch carefully as you slowly slide the open bolt back and forth through that first half inch. Can you see where the bolt may be binding? Does the ejector move freely. Can you easily slide the snap cap forward toward the chamber with your finger?

[Allen Humphrey]

If I'm understanding your issue correctly, then I have an Remington A3 that does the same thing. Any lateral force on the bolt at all, makes it "stick" at the beginning of the bolt throw. If you push directly in line with the bore it will run pretty well. Ultimately I swapped bolts until I found one the ran better than others. It is a 03 double heat treat bolt. Still isn't perfect however. I really suspect that my rifle is a little out of spec somewhere. It is a fine shooter otherwise.