Mossberg MVP Patrol and me

[gomgomar]

Hi,
Last year I built a custom AR-15 since every senior citizen deserves a custom built AR when they become a senior citizen. But Sweetness was lonely and needed a bolt buddy.

So for my birthday this year, I set out to obtain a 5.56x45mm, AR mag using bolt action rifle and lo and behold there was the Mossberg MVP Patrol! Not the Predator, not the Varmit. I want short barrel, threaded for suppressor like Sweetness is. Except no one had even one! Even my brother (dealer) in Florida was told 8 months.

Finally, a local dealer (whom I bought some expensive optics from at a local show and with whom I had never visited despite being only 15 miles down the road) found ONE! Did I want it? YES!

Got it! Fondled it. Cleaned and lubed. Off to the range!
Bang! Bang! Bang! click...
Check everything, no strike on primer.
try again click...
Wait the striker button on the back of the bolt did NOT move forward 3/8" like it should.
Check everything...no luck.
Went home (repeat)

Watched youtube on bolt disassembly and read what NOT to disassemble.
Took bolt apart (striker assembly out, bolthead and retaining pin out of body).
Inspected with magnifier - nothing.

Applied much solvent, degreaser to bare metal, relubed with LPX, reassembled.
Dry fire worked (striker button moved forward on trigger squeeze).

Next weekend, off to range.
When home after 100 rounds of touch trigger and it goes BANG!
Ok, maybe Spit with the sub sonic rounds.

The iron sights where high and left using 62 gr M855 (my baseline ammo, since Sweetness is a 1:8 twist). Since I forgot the itty bitty screwdriver cool, I left the iron sights as was.
Slipped on Sweetness's Eothech EXPS3-2, G33 (Sweetness now has a Nikon M-223 4-16x42 on qd mount so she's still dressed for success).
And could not even scare the paper!

With the help of the RSO, discovered the dot was 3 reticles LEFT of the paper.
After much adjusting, got on the paper.
Then got on the bulls eye.
I was getting tired (did I mention yard work that morning...) so I went home with 3 of 5 within a 1/2 inch of the cross hairs and 5 of 5 within an inch. Will work with it some more and I expect to get better.

So far ok with it but what the HECK was that first failure?!

Anyone have a problem with the Mossberg MVP bolt?
Thanks,
Gom

 

[gunnutery]

Sorry to hear about the trouble. I guess I'm not quite sure what the issue would've been, but it sounds resolved now. Maybe something wasn't properly aligned?

I've liked the thought of these rifles though. If I was in need of a bolt gun I'd seriously consider one, even afterhearing of the problem you had.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I'm guessing some packing grease got back into the firing pin channel or something just enough to cause it to bind. You got it all cleaned off, it shouldn't happen again, now you're good to go. And so is, um, Sweetness.

 

[gomgomar]

Update

Took Patrol by my gun smith - had a guestion about reversing the throw on the Eotech G33 and needed some accessories.
As he checked it over "hey, your rail is loose."
?! Yup, it had shot loose.
I know it was tight when I mounted the EXPS3-2 - I tried to wiggle it just for that reason. It was tight.
After about a 100 rounds, it's loose! Could slide a business card under it.
He lock-tited and torqued it, reversed the G33 (lock-tite and torqued).
As he handed it back "Cool! have fun!".
I should get a chance this weekend - weather is scheduled to be awesome.
Or maybe I will go flying...

By the way here they are:
Mossberg MVP "Rat" Patrol
(short for Rat Patrol (TV series about WWII for you younguns))
Sweetness
Custom built 20" match 1:8 twist, Gisselle 4lb trigger, and now Nikon M-223 4-16x42mmSF scope
Gom

 

[gomgomar]

been shooting today

Rat is now working.
consistent 5 for 5 on a 2" target dot, using Eotech with 3x mag.
tried M855 62gr, 223 rem 69 gr match and 75 gr match - all seemed to hit the same area.
if I do my part, the bullseye has some extra holes it.
Don't be gentle pushing the bolt forward or it will hang up a little mostly in.
The mag release is weird.
But both are getting better with use.
Short, handy and getting better with use.
Rat is growing on me.
Gom

 

[gomgomar]

oops! Forgot to mention I did get the iron sights zeroed in for 50 yds also.
Or at least as well as my old eyes can do.
Gom

 

[gomgomar]

Rats!
Discovered the GunVault safety block of my AR does NOT fit Mossberg MVP Patrol.
Seems the top of the block, fits where the AR bolt goes, does not fit up from the mag well in the Patrol.
Darn! Quess I need to buy another AR (for son?) in order to put this safety block to work...
Gom

 

[gomgomar]

Son just got home from work and handed me three AR-15 5 round magazines.
some places require 5 round mags for hunting and may get on you for a bigger mag
http://www.lancer-systems.com/business-areas/small-arms/products/magazines/l5-translucent/
L5AWM is the part number.
He reported they work ok.
Gom