Mauser M24/47 feed problem

[ChronoCube]

(reposted from GunAndGame forums)

I am having a problem that happens with TWO different Yugo Mausers, using both Yugo 1950s and Romanian 1970s 8mm ammo. When I put a full clip into the magazine, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th rounds always feed properly. These are the rounds on the right side of the magazine. But quite often, the extractor fails to grab the 2nd and 4th rounds, on the left side. The result is that the rim sits in front of the extractor and the two of them cannot fit into the chamber that way. So the bolt cannot close completely, and the round stays in the chamber even when I reopen the bolt..

I've been able to cycle 5 rounds smoothly if I push hard, but even this isn't foolproof. It still gets jammed sometimes. However I seem to remember that it was smoother BEFORE I cleaned out all the cosmoline.

This is not a problem of headspace or chamber imperfections. When the extractor does grab the rim, the round slides in and extracts smoothly.

 

[jpwilly]

Is the extractor bent or misformed?

 

[ThomasT]

Well it is simple. Put the cosmoline back in and you will be fine.

On the other hand my 24/47 did the same thing. I put a small radius on the bottom of the extractor. It helped a lot.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Rounds 2 and 4 are dependent on the finish and bevel of the left hand magazine feed rail/lip. Sometimes, if this rail is rough, the round will be "pop out" of the magazine ahead of the bolt face. Working the bolt in a rapid forward closing motion will over come this in marginal cases.

To evaluate/fix it, unload and clear, remove the bolt, magazine floorplate/spring/following. With a bright light or daylight, view the feed rail/lips and run you finger over them to find burrs or rough places. If found, they can be dealt with by plugging the chamber with a shop cloth to keep it and the barrel clean and going over the rough area with emory cloth or other abrasive up to 150 grit.

Do a little at a time, and try the action with dummies from the magazine, or, if at a range or other suitable location, disassemble the bolt by removing the sleeve and firing pin, and test with live rounds feeding them from the magazine.