Marlin Camp 9 bolt hold-open problem

[Trebor]

I have a new Marlin Camp 9. I installed a Wolf 16# and a new Blackjack buffer to replace the original factory spring and damaged factory buffer. I cleaned and lubricated the rifle and put everything back together.

At the range I'm having problems with the bolt hold open. When the last round is fired at the bolt hold open engages, it will NOT disengage. It took me about 10 minutes of playing with the bolt handle and banging the stock against the shooting bench to get the bolt to release. (The rifle was unloaded and the mag was out).

I did manage to finally get it to disengage, but I'm not sure exactly what I did that worked.

When I fired another mag through the rifle, the same thing happened, and it took me another 5 to 10 minutes to get the bolt to close again. At that point I gave up on any more shooting.

So, any idea why the bolt hold open is so hard to disenage and what I can do to fix it?

 

[Trebor]

Anyone have any ideas? Bueller?

 

[gwillys]

if its the old style, you push in on the charging handle to lock open, and pull back and out to release. that orta do ya.

the newer style has a sliding button down by the mag release.

do you need the manual?

here it is: marlin_9.pdf

this might be interesting: marlin_manual.doc

 

[Trebor]

This is the style where you push in the charging handle to lock it open.

Unfortunately, pulling the handle out does not consistently release the bolt.

I'm working with the empty gun (double checked) right now and I'm having a heck of a time getting the bolt to release once the hold open is activated. Sometimes I can get it right away. Other times it won't budge at all, even when I try pulling the bolt handle out.

The most luck I've had is pulling the bolt handle out *and* striking the butt hard against the floor. That's not ideal, especially at the range.

And, yeah, a manual would be nice, if you have a source.

 

[gwillys]

break it down and see if the charging handle is binding on the bolt or reciever. leave the recoil spring out to check operation. maybe grease the groove it sits in and the end and the notch the end locks into. maybe a little fluff & buff on all contact areas.
yep, the mag must be out to close the bolt.

you have to pull back and out at the same time.

manual is above.

mines more difficult since i installed a heavier recoil spring. not a very good design to begin with, thus the newer version. i'm thinking i might mill a new handle with something to hang onto when pulling.
i found somewhere that there's a modification that addresses this problem. i'll see if i can find it.

 

[Trebor]

Gwillys,

Thanks for the tips and links. Looks like I'm going to have to strip it again. Not looking forward to that as getting it back together was a major PITA.

If you do make any sort of new bolt handle, I'd be interested in buying one from you. That itsy factory handle doesn't give much to grab onto. I was wondering if I could jigger up something with a spare FAL handle I have lying around myself, but don't really have the skill set to machine anything.

 

[gwillys]

your welcome. hey, i found the snippet re modification. not much info & i dont think i'll be milling the reciever on mine.
halfway down: otter

additionally:
check the empty magazine bolt hold ('guide piece'). is the spring in place?
the later version is pictured

you can check its operation by using something (empty mag) to push up on it thru the mag well and retracting the bolt to lock it back. when releasing (mag well empty), the spring should push the bolt hold ('guide piece') back down & release the bolt.
with the stock off, its easy to see how it works.

 

[ShakyJake]

Hold Open Problem

Hi Trebor
Got a suggestion. Refering to the parts picture. #4 the bolt hold open has a small spring #5. Make sure that this spring is not binding or caught on the side of its hole when yor reassemble the rifle. It only takes one or two twists and it is enough for the bolt hold open not to release the bolt when a new full magazine is loaded. You will not find this refered to hardly at all in the manual, but is vital to have the bolt hold open work properly. It is tricky and the slightest off movement of the hold open can cause the spring to kink. I learned to do it under a cloth after chasing the spring X times and losing 2.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[Trebor]

Yeah, it looks like I'm having some sort of problem with that spring.

When I get a chance I'll tear down the rifle again and take another look. I remember seeing that spring and wondering exactly how it was supposed to be set up.

 

[Trebor]

Gwillys and Shakyjake,

Thanks for the tips. With the info about that spring and the PDF of the manual I was able to strip and reassemble the gun and get the spring in the right place and the bolt hold open to work correctly.

Stripping it was still a PITA though. The first time I got it back together the hammer wouldn't cock for some reason. I got it the second time though.

Now the bolt hold open locks and releases with no problems. I haven't been to the range with it yet, but I should get a chance soon.

Thanks for the help!