Mosin nagant locking lug

[tom11235]

Anyone had any experience with m91/30 s? Took mine to the gunsmith last week and apparently the locking lugs may have been effected by modifying the bolt into the bent position it is now. I did the modification myself, pretty low tech, I just sawed off the original bolt and drilled and tapped the bolt body, found a bolt-like piece of steel and did the reverse thing where you "tap" the outside of the new bent bolt (forgot the name for this process!) and then screwed it in with some locktite. I did the same thing with the bolt knob, it looks ok now, but according to the gunsmith, if I used heat (which I didn't ) the lugs may become brittle and shatter or something. Is this anything to worry about? He said it could potentialy explode if this was the case. I have only ever heard of something like this when the firing pin strikes a prodruding primer, or isn't ajusted properly. But mine definatly is, as the previous owner apparently had no problems with it and I've put 12 rounds through it myself, 8 of them after I changed the bolt.

So I've dissasembled the bolt and made sure the firing pin is correct, I didn't heat the bolt at all during the mods, as even during drilling and sawing it was still cool enough to touch, and it has no problem with cycling and firing, so should I be worried? Also, please don't flame me for changing it, it doesn't have all matching numbers and has been refurbished, so it's not supposed to be an investment or antique, just a project.

So thanks for any advice, and I apoligise in advance for any spelling mistakes!

 

[Deus Machina]

Even if you did use heat, I wouldn't worry too much unless you had manage to change the color anywhere.

If you're worried, find another smith for a second opinion.

No heat? You're fine. Trust it as much as you did before. 'Bent bolt' kits that cut off the knob and replace it by bolting in are pretty common, and we'd have heard by now if they were blowing up left and right.

 

[Slamfire]

Took mine to the gunsmith last week and apparently the locking lugs may have been effected by modifying the bolt into the bent position it is now. I did the modification myself, pretty low tech, I just sawed off the original bolt and drilled and tapped the bolt body, found a bolt-like piece of steel and did the reverse thing where you "tap" the outside of the new bent bolt (forgot the name for this process!) and then screwed it in with some locktite. I did the same thing with the bolt knob, it looks ok now,

Of course I am not looking at the rifle, but the Mosin has a separate detachable bolt head. You modified the bolt body. I don't see how that effects the bolt head.

but according to the gunsmith, if I used heat (which I didn't ) the lugs may become brittle and shatter or something.

If you heated the bolt head, and I don't know the temperature but it has to be like 700 F or more, then you could have softened the steel.

I would find another gunsmith and have that guy check the headspace on the rifle. If the headspace is good and the bolt head is the same one you started with, and you did not heat the bolt head up , everything should be good.

 

[Driftertank]

You've put 12 rounds through it? Not, like, 1,200 or 12,000 but 12?

I'm just wondering why a low, strange number. I typically put at least 20 rounds through my M44 every time I go to the range...if it weren't for the "previous owner" statement, I'd say 12 rounds isn't even enough to say it's safe to shoot - just enough to say you've been lucky.

Anyway, don't mean to sound like I'm bashing on you. I love my M-N.

Go shoot that thing some more. Remember, with a Nagant, if your shoulder isn't purple and sore, you haven't shot it enough.

 

[tom11235]

Yeah i only just got it