Sticky Bolt on M44

[Hammerhead]

Hello,
I took my M44 out for the first time the other day, and after each shot, the bolt was almost impossible to open. I had to use the heel of my hand to beat the bolt open. This began with the very first shot, so I don't think that it is due to left over laquer in the chamber, since it never got a chance to heat up.

I tried putting the brass back into the chamber, and it goes in most of the way, but hangs up about 1/4 inch out. Unfired shells go in and out no problem.

There are faint scratch marks on each shell, I think in about the same position, about 5 o'clock. There may be a slight roughness there, but very slight.

I put a pair of calipers on the fired brass, and it is about 0.009" larger at the base than unfired brass. I don't know if that is too much or not. This is Wolf ammo.

I searched this forum and found someone else who had the same problem, who cured it by simply switching brands. I know that Wolf has a bad reputation in .223, but I have never even had a misfire with Wolf 7.62x39, and I figured that it would be the same for 7.62x54.

Any suggestions? I cleaned the chamber very well with solvent and brass brushes, and used steel wool and an electric drill to really clean it, but that was before I noticed that the fired brass would not chamber. That has me a bit concerned...

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards,
Hammerhead

Edited for clarity...

 

[Southern Raider]

I really think this is the nature of the beast. For my Mosin, it is worse for cartridges that are hotter, so there is some truth to just switching brands.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

i've never shot wolf in a mosin before, but all the commercial ammo i have shot wasn't nearly as hot as the CZ silver tip.... with that it's always a good idea to bring a rubber mallet...

in other words, i wouldn't be worried, just bring a hammer...

 

[InfernoMDM]

The same issue is happening with a friends M-44 after about 5 shots. He is useing wolf ammo.

 

[steelhead]

It is most likely ammo and pressure related. Try some different brands or some other surplus and see if it still happens. I bet it doesn't. Mine does it on some hot Czech surplus.

 

[JeffC]

Oh my, I haven't shot my Mosins in almost a year I remember having a sticking bolt in my 44 as well, but my 91/30 worked smooth. I did the Tuner's slurry treatment to my 44 and it helped alot. The bolt was hard to move just as is, and I didn't know it was that bad till I bought a 91/30, its bolt moves like butter.

 

[Hammerhead]

Thanks for the information!

Hello,
Thanks for the information!

Regards,
Hammerhead

 

[InfernoMDM]

Would polishing the bolt help this?

 

[steelhead]

Not if it is a pressure related problem.

 

[JeffC]

What the slurry method will help do is smooth out the roughness in the bolt. There's a lot of friction in the bolt due to the cocking surfaces. This will help reduce the effort in working the bolt.... which will still be helpful when you are dealing with a pressure related problem.

 

[armoredman]

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/sticking_bolt.htm

Try using Albanian surplus brass case. Has a "3" headstamp.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

You could try pulling back on the cocking ring to cock the rifle before you try to bring the bolt up. It should relieve some of the trouble to get the fired case out.

 

[Devon]

Mine did that too

Get that thing to a 'smith, mine did the same thing. Took it out after I got it, bolt would stick to the point I'd have to beat the bolt back, sometimes would pull the extractor through the rim of the brass. Took it to my favorite 'smithy who told me there was half of a case stuck in the chamber. A little reaming later it was good as new.

Devon