Mosul-Nagant feeding problems

[sharkman]

Hope someone here can help:

More often than not my Mosin has problems chambering cartridges. Sometimes bolt closes and locks without a problem. Other times it feeds from the magazine ok, but bolt won't turn and lock closed. Retract bolt, extract cartridge by hand. Apparently when attempting to chamber a round the cartridge is not seating against the bolt face. Doesn't appear to the ammunition, it may happen 4 times in a row, and the close properly the fifth time with the same round. Same ammo works fine in M44 and Type 53.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance

 

[sharkman]

Darn it, can't fix thread title...

 

[Sunray]

Suggests broken or damaged bolt head or bolt connector parts. Bent or maybe burrs. Look at the extractor(hopefully ok. $26.95 at Gunparts for a used one) too. Might just have some crud under it. Very much a WHAG though.
This might help diagnose.
http://stevespages.com/ipb-mosinnagant-1891.html

 

[herrwalther]

How long have you had it? I had this problem with my Mosin while I was still cleaning the cosmoline out of the chamber. I used a 20ga bronze brush, wrapped in a little bit of 0000 steel wool, sprayed with oil, tossed in a cordless drill to clean out the chamber.

If this is a recently developed problem, you might have something broken.

 

[RecoilRob]

Be sure the little finger that holds the next cartridge down in the magazine until it's needed is there and working. It kind of sounds like the rifle is trying to double-feed which can cause a rimlocking type thing to happen.

 

[LoonWulf]

To clarify, you AREN'T having any problems getting rounds OUT of the mag, just closing the bolt on a cartridge right?

So after giving your bolt face/extractor a good inspection for any dings, dents, obvious damage, or other oddity. Including hand fitting a case (preferably NOT a loaded round) into the bolt face then trying to chamber it.
Id check your extractor engagement. If its too far into the bolt face it will hit the flat part of the case rim nose on, rather than the tapered part or the case rim, with the tapered edge of the extractor.
One way to test the extractor is to remove it and try chambering a case if it goes its your extractor, if not youll need to keep searching.

 

[boom boom]

I suspect the interruptor which acts to prevent double feeding might need tweaking as Recoil Rob mentioned. You may have a two piece or a one piece but either can get bent causing feeding issues. It is also possible that you have problems with a too long or partially dislodged extractor that is not properly snapping into the rim but rather pushing the round. You might also make sure that the locking lugs in the receiver are clean--use an angled pick and a dental mirror to take a look. Also check for burrs on the locking lugs in the receiver or the bolt head. If necessary, you can also get a new bolt head and an extractor from SARCO (esarco) for a bit less than Gunparts/Numrich. LoonWulf also gives good information as well along with herrwalther.

 

[sharkman]

To clarify, you AREN'T having any problems getting rounds OUT of the mag, just closing the bolt on a cartridge right?

So after giving your bolt face/extractor a good inspection for any dings, dents, obvious damage, or other oddity. Including hand fitting a case (preferably NOT a loaded round) into the bolt face then trying to chamber it.
Id check your extractor engagement. If its too far into the bolt face it will hit the flat part of the case rim nose on, rather than the tapered part or the case rim, with the tapered edge of the extractor.
One way to test the extractor is to remove it and try chambering a case if it goes its your extractor, if not youll need to keep searching.

Correct, rounds feed from magazine fine at all times, it's just the final locking of the bolt that isn't right.

Have had the rifle for quite a while, it did this when I got it. Stuck it in the safe after first range session, work and family kept me from troubleshooting for the last year. Tried polishing the chamber to no effect. Will have to check extractor for issues next.

Thanks to all for replies and assistance

 

[Beach Bum]

If the previous owner tried to mount the barrel in a Monte Carlo , or arc angel , stock with out having proper clearance they will bend slightly the interrupter spring straitening it out a little it is almost undetectable , it will cause the problems you describe....take your rifle apart and take off the interrupter spring and put a slight bend back in it and I am thinking this will solve your problem very simple 15 minute fix..........Ask me how I know ......Enjoy your Mosin Nagant........Good Luck Sharkman

 

[TRX]

+1 on "check the extractor"

Try fitting some of the troublesome rounds into the bolt face while holding the bolt in your hand. It'd be more informative if you could just remove the extractor and see how a round chambers, but the Mosin extractor is kind of a hassle to remove. There are several videos on YouTube if you want to see how it's done, though.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I wouldn't be surprised if some Mosins WERE in Mosul as we speak being used as sniper rifles. Lots of them have been used as such by ISIS and the rebel alliance.

 

[sharkman]

Yep, it's the extractor. Took a real close look at the bolt. Tip of the extractor looked a little rough, probably from hitting the cartridge rim instead of sliding over it. Extractor also appeared to be bent ever so slightly more towards the bolt face than normal. Couple taps from a soft face hammer and it's feeding normally. Ejection is weak but I can live with that and fix it later