Loose Mosin Bolt

[Number 6]

I have a Mosin 91/30 that has a bolt that is excessively loose when in battery. Compared to my M38 there is a lot of play when loaded. The weird thing is that when I swap the bolts between my two Mosins the problem bolt works fine, and the 91/30 works fine with the M38’s bolt. My question is first, is it safe to shoot with a loose bolt, and second what could cause the bolt to be loose only in that particular Mosin? Thanks for your help.

 

[Hoppy590]

numbers match on the 91/30?

 

[Number 6]

Yes, I forgot to add that all the numbers on the 91/30 are matching.

 

[Cosmoline]

Is it loose after fired, or before? It should lock up a bit when the spring is released. Otherwise it's not uncommon to have a bolt that cycles easily and feels loose in the hand. I find loose bolts function smoother than tight ones. A bolt on a Mosin that feels tight cycling, like a Mauser bolt, is probably going to get stuck after firing.

 

[fugi]

is it the bolt handle that's loose? or the actual lugged portion of it that engages with the receiver?

 

[dispatch55126]

My bolt feel really loose when cycled fully open. However, once the bolt is locked down everything gets tight.

 

[Number 6]

Is it loose after fired, or before?

Before. The bolt is loose when the bolt is closed but not yet fired.

is it the bolt handle that's loose? or the actual lugged portion of it that engages with the receiver?

Its the handle. There is a lot of play when it is closed. So much that if I bumped it on accident I am sure it would open.

 

[Cosmoline]

That sounds fine. It's not unusual to have that much play before shooting. If you want to keep the bolt locked into place, engage the safety.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

A loose bolt can be an indication of excessive headspacing, which is a very dangerous condition. If there's too much headspacing, the bolt lugs could get sheared off upon firing and the bolt can come flying back in your face. I suggest you take it to a local gunsmith and have them check it for proper headspacing. It doesn't cost very much just to have it checked and it could save your life.

Oh yeah, and one other thing. NEVER swap bolts on guns and try to fire them without getting the headspace checked first. The same problem as above can result.

 

[fugi]

That sounds fine. It's not unusual to have that much play before shooting. If you want to keep the bolt locked into place, engage the safety.

I agree, since the bolt handle is seperate from the head it doesn't really suggest bad headspacing, but it can never hurt to check it.

 

[Cosmoline]

A loose bolt can be an indication of excessive headspacing, which is a very dangerous condition.

Mosins use a three part bolt, with the head separate. The "loose" or "tight" feel is usually a product of the fit between the bolt body and the receiver. The typical sticking point is at the base of the handle where it meets the receiver. If this is too tight, the bolt will be too difficult to cycle. This has nothing to do with headspace, and it should be reasonably easy to move the handle up and down.

Moreover, you cannot "feel" headspace on any rifle by the tightness of the bolt, because even on a single peice Mauser style bolt there are many contact points and potential sticking points other than the lugs. And even if headspace is A OK, there should not be any sticking or excess tightness at the lugs. A good Mauser will also cycle in and out of battery without sticking.

To check headspace, use a gauge.

 

[270Win]

Cosmoline took the words right out of my mouth (fingers?)...

My M38 AND my dad's 91/30 have this bolt-play. It's fine. For whatever reason, this issue has come up surprisingly frequently lately.

 

[Coronach]

91/30s and M44s are dirt cheap right now, so a lot of people with no mosin experience are picking them up (including myself).

Mike

 

[silverlance]

I should probably get one of them m44

but it's hard to go back to rusikies after having found finns.

 

[Number 6]

Thanks you all for the advice and help. I am going to just take it and have it headspaced since I already have an SKS that needs to be taken in as well.