1891 Mosin Nagant bolt bind

[charlesr41]

I have acquired the above rifle in pretty decent shape. It has the hex receiver and a 29" barrel. My problem is that even with an empty chamber, the bolt binds up when first opened and I attempt to pull it back. It opens OK and rides up the camming surface smoothly but then when I start to pull it back as though I were going to chamber a round, it is difficult to start it moving rearward. It only has to move 1/2" or so and then it frees up. I can wiggle the bolt side-to-side a wee bit even when it is binding. It must be something at the locking lug area. Any ideas?

 

[TomADC]

Mine did the same thing a good cleaning and light oiling freed it up.
Also check were the bolt locks on the receiver mine had gunk in it and would close okay until I tried to chamber a round, the cleaning fixed that and now everything is a lot smoother.

 

[Will_G]

Charles,

You might find this article helpful:

Sticking Bolt Problem

I have not had to follow this on my 1930 Tula 91/30, but the author seems to know what he is talking about!

 

[rondog]

Start here http://surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp , check out all the links on the right side of the page. Excellent tutorials on how to do all kinds of stuff to your Mosins, with wonderful photos. Very well done, and the main site covers most milsurp guns. Wonderful source of info.

Oh, this place too! http://7.62x54r.com/