Last shot bolt hold back on 22lr semi autos.

[emilianoksa]

About a week ago I posted about a Marlin 795 which failed to hold back the bolt on the last shot.

The inevitable result of this, unless you take your shots slowly and count to ten, is repeated dry firing.

Since then I've been surfing the net, and have discovered that this fault is not uncommon. It also happens with Model 60s apparently.

And, as far as I know, the Ruger 10/22 has no automatic bolt hold open.

My question is: just how do semi auto owners with no bolt hold avoid dry firing their guns dozens of times every time they take them to the range?

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I believe modern Marlin 60s stay open do they not?

edit to add.. I have a 60 and it holds open but I can't attest to it's vintage.

 

[grimjaw]

Count my shots?

I've got a 795 and a 60, and I guess I'm lucky. Hold open works fine on both.

jm

 

[Maverick223]

My question is: just how do semi auto owners with no bolt hold avoid dry firing their guns dozens of times every time they take them to the range?

10/22 is fine to be dry fired, but if you get one get the Volquartsen auto bolt release (or mod the original one), the factory one is a PITA.

 

[winknplink]

Edit: My apologies. I misread your question or just got confused.

Check this out (very bottom of the page)

 

[Maverick223]

it should already have a hold-open feature in it.

After the last round or auto release? If it is a last round HO I am very interested...

 

[winknplink]

After the last round or auto release? If it is a last round HO I am very interested...

Yes, thank you, I misunderstood the question. I was thinking of the auto release, not the hold-open feature.

Sorry about that. I changed my post as to not spread bad info.

 

[Maverick223]

I was thinking of the auto release, not the hold-open feature.

You made my day...then shattered it...I gonna go cry now.

 

[winknplink]

Hey, check the link in my first post in this thread.

I don't know what you would do about a good trigger in that housing, but it opens some doors, anyway...

 

[jad0110]

The inevitable result of this, unless you take your shots slowly and count to ten, is repeated dry firing.

Or, you could just load a single 22 snap cap as the first round in the mag / last round in the tube. I'll start doing this with my Marlin Model 60 as soon as I can find some snap caps. My Model 60 is a pre-1985 model that lacks the automatic last shot bolt holdopen.

 

[jad0110]

I have a 60 and it holds open but I can't attest to it's vintage.

The following comes Wikipedia (I know, not the most reliable source, but I've confirmed the following to be true):

On Marlin-branded Model 60 rifles, the first two digits of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture. For example, on the rifle shown in the photo above, the serial number starts with 18... The 18 is significant, for subtracting it from 2000 gives the date of manufacture for the rifle, 1982. Likewise, a serial number starting with 17 would be a rifle manufactured in 1983.

This method has not been uniformly followed. It is valid only from 1971 through 1999. Prior to 1971, the first two digits indicated the year of manufacture. For example, a rifle with a serial number starting with 70... would have been made in 1970. Starting in 2000, this same old method has returned; the first two digits once more indicate the year of manufacture directly, with no subtraction required. [2]

Recently it seems Marlin has changed their methods once again as one example purchased new in 2006 has a serial number starting with 94, the exact way to find the date seems unclear, though it is possible they are using a "subtract from 2100" method.

 

[gunsandreligion]

there's nothing wrong with dry firing a 10/22 I'v done it millions of times

 

[PT1911]

ruger 10/22... no problem to dry fire.... hehe...

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks a lot for all the responses.

How much dry firing do you think a Marlin could take?

 

[Maverick223]

How much dry firing do you think a Marlin could take?

I would take care to avoid it, a snap cap as the last round is not a bad idea.

 

[blkbrd666]

I almost unconsciously count shots with all my guns whether slow firing, rapid firing or firing under duress. I seem to know when to drop the mag...I never "click" with a gun once I get acquainted with it. So, I guess it's not a problem and I have never noticed whether or not my Marlins hold open or not.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks again.

I'll go with the snap cap method and try to get into the habit of counting until it becomes automatic.

What about the lack of decock mechanism? Do you just leave a snap cap in the chamber or dry fire before putting the gun away?

 

[MrCleanOK]

Leaving the hammer/striker/whatever cocked is not bad for it. Springs fatigue by being loaded and unloaded, not by being loaded for extended periods of time.

 

[emilianoksa]

Many thanks.

 

[Mags]

If you don't want to dry fire count your shots and dont' pull the trigger.

 

[emilianoksa]

Before I forget, I'm afraid I have another question.

I understand it it possible to single load a Ruger 10/22 with the magazine removed. Does the empty magazine well not make this a bit tricky?

Is it also possible to single load a Marlin 60 or 795?

I promise I'll subject you to no more questions tonight.

 

[Maverick223]

I understand it it possible to single load a Ruger 10/22 with the magazine removed. Does the empty magazine well not make this a bit tricky?

You can but it is not easily accomplished.

Is it also possible to single load a Marlin 60 or 795?

I believe you can but have not tried it, and do not own one. I am pretty certain that you cannot unless the magazine is empty, but why else would you need to. I will say that it is a fine gun for the money.

 

[emilianoksa]

Once again, many thanks.

 

[rangerruck]

how old is your 795? if it is made from 89' or later, it should stay open, if not, you have a problem.
if made after 88, it either is missing the lever, the lever is bent, of you have another piece of the action, a spring or some such, that is rubbing against the arm with enough friction, so that it does
not do it's job. all rifles by marlin, with the mod 60 action, made after 88, for sure came with
this lever. I think they started to putting them on all rifles, beginning in 85'.

 

[Maverick223]

No problem emilianoksa.