Thread: Bolt Problems

Originally Posted by DanS

Hey guys I have a Mossberg ATR 100 chambered in .243 around 5 years old with only max 60 rounds through it, recently something has happened to it and nothing comes to memory as to knocks or any thing on my end. When I half cock it, rifle has bolt phase of open, one click and fully closed, so when it is on one click/half cocked and I pull the trigger the bolt closes itself and the pin goes off. I fortunately have not had this happen with a live round in the spout. Found this occurring when I was cleaning the rifle. There is no rust on the bolt and it has always been regularly cleaned. Also there is nothing interfering with the action or the bedding. So basically am after any information as to why this is occurring. So just in summary when I have the bolt half cocked and pull the trigger 4/5 times the bolt slams shut and the pin goes off. Does not occur when safety is on. Also finally the bolt is solid when it is half cocked i.e. it locks strongly into place and does not move unwillingly.

Thanks in advance for any info.

That is perfectly normal on any bolt action. When the bolt handle is up in the half-bolt (not half-cocked as the striker is already at full cock) position, the striker is resting on the sear and the cam surface of the striker is resting on the bolt cam thus it sits there quite nicely. The moment you pull the trigger the sear drops (as it is designed to do) and the striker moves forward under spring pressure, camming the bolt closed. This will NOT fire a round as the firing pin energy is spent trying to close the bolt. You will have to raise and lower the bolt handle to recock the gun before you can fire it. The half-bolt position is a good way to carry your rifle in the final stages of a stalk when you can close the bolt silently as you are in a position to take the shot. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard while carrying like this and keep control of the bolt handle between your finger and thumb at all times. This prevents the bolt closing, and also prevents it falling open and losing the round when you might need it.

Originally Posted by gundoc

That is perfectly normal on any bolt action. When the bolt handle is up in the half-bolt (not half-cocked as the striker is already at full cock) position, the striker is resting on the sear and the cam surface of the striker is resting on the bolt cam thus it sits there quite nicely. The moment you pull the trigger the sear drops (as it is designed to do) and the striker moves forward under spring pressure, camming the bolt closed. This will NOT fire a round as the firing pin energy is spent trying to close the bolt. You will have to raise and lower the bolt handle to recock the gun before you can fire it. The half-bolt position is a good way to carry your rifle in the final stages of a stalk when you can close the bolt silently as you are in a position to take the shot. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard while carrying like this and keep control of the bolt handle between your finger and thumb at all times. This prevents the bolt closing, and also prevents it falling open and losing the round when you might need it.

Thanks alot. Still learning these things. Gun mechanics is not something I have looked into bar the basics.

Originally Posted by gundoc

..........This will NOT fire a round as the firing pin energy is spent trying to close the bolt. You will have to raise and lower the bolt handle to recock the gun before you can fire it. ...........

Unfortunately it can and has happened to me and I'm sure plenty of others. It's not a safe way to carry a rifle that cocks on opening and hunters have been known to fall over and have the bolt closed on them, some ending up with the rifle pointing at them. Not a situation you'd want to find yourself in.

I usually carry my Sako 85 with the bolt half closed and the safety engaged. The trouble with the safety only approach is that it's hard to tell at a glance whether the rifle is cocked or not. With the bolt half closed it's reassurance also for anyone you may be hunting with.