Mosin Nagant Problem

[Mimas]

I recently acquired my first Mosin Nagant, a 91/30, from Aim Surplus. I've gotta say, I love it! It shoots great and the ammo and the rifle were really cheap. It's even gotten a few of my less gun-inclined friends to consider buying one.

There's one problem, though. The bolt is really hard to operate. Turning the bolt before pulling it back requires probably a lot of force--a lot more than any bolt action I've ever used. It's stiff enough that I have trouble operating it with one hand from a shooting position. This is my first Mosin, so I'm not sure if this is normal. It seems like the spring holding back the firing pin is way too strong. After the pin is retracted, the bolt is very easy to operate, and slides very easily.
It's not an issue of friction between the bolt and the rifle.

The rifle is well oiled and clean, but I'm thinking I should completely disassemble the bolt and check out that spring, and clean it thorougly. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[gamachinist]

Hi Mimas,
The bolt body could be (probably is) full of grease.That would make it hard to open.
Does it only give trouble extracting a fired cartridge or is it was a problem with an empty chamber too?
Robert.

 

[Mimas]

Doesn't matter if there is a cartridge or not. I took the bolt apart and it was indeed full of grease. I haven't had time to re-assemble it yet, I'm going to do that tonight. Hopefully that'll fix it, otherwise I'm thinking a new mainspring(or maybe shortening the current one) will as there didn't seem to be any significant friction within the bolt--just a really stiff spring.

 

[gamachinist]

Hi Mimas,
I was still sleepy when I replied this morning (that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!),so I overlooked some things.(Plus I got one of mine out to look at it).

I didn't ask it it turned easily when the striker is still cocked or if it is tight then too?

Is the bolt numbered to the rifle?
Does it look like the original numbers or some renumbering going on?

Look to see if he bolt handle is binding against the reciever when the locking lugs are engaged.A mismatched bolt could cause that problem (and maybe short headspace to boot).

The primary extraction and cocking movement are effected by the angled surface on the "hood" on the rear of the reciever and the end of the flat rib on the side of the bolt.
If either of these is rough(or at the wrong angle causing on to "dig into" the other),it would probably cause the force needed to retract the striker to be increased.This would be a good point to look at if the bolt has been changed.

I hope this helps rather than confuses(I wrote it and it isn't all that clear to me!),
Robert.

 

[Jim K]

It sort of depends on what other rifles you have experience with. If you shoot, say, a VZ-24 and a Lee-Enfield, that M-N bolt is going to feel very hard to work. The spring is strong, and the bolt handle (which provides the leverage for cocking) is short. If possible, try to compare yours with another 91 action before doing anything other than cleaning.

Jim

 

[Mimas]

Yeah, before I do anything drastic I think I will handle another 91/30 or another MN style rifle at least. Mainly, my bolt action experience IS with Enfields so I am very used to a smooth bolt pull.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[WyrTwister]

Stiff MN's Picked up Stiff MN's

I Picked upone of my Finn MN's , some of the best . Stiff bolt .

Would not mess with the spring , the Ruskies made these for a long time . It is probably that way for a purpose .

God bless
Wyr