Greetings, have a Mod 8 in 30 Remington, SN 57XXX range. The rifle is in very good condition,has the tang sight and a straight grip stock too!! When I load and fire the rifle, the bolt cycles to the rear and it will NOT come forward. The Bolt stop release just doesn't release the bolt. I can see it moving the back of the magazine follower, but the bolt still wont come forward. Does anyone have any experience with this problem or can anyone tell me what I need to do? Or does anyone know of a knowledgeable gunsmith who can work on these rifles?? Here in the Seattle/Puget Sound area we are seemingly rather limited in gunsmiths who are willing and knowledgeable about Model 8s.
Thanks
Ben
Strength and Honor!
Bolt locks to the rear after the first shot...
Re: Bolt locks to the rear after the first shot...
Hey KPD302,
Welcome to the forum You are in the right place and we will try to help resolve your issue. You are in the correct thread "Trouble shooting/maintenance" as a starter. There is a video for disassembly at the beginning of topics that may provide some assistance. There is a topic about midway of the thread "Bolt stays open" by member "ETDM" which sounds like the problem you are having.
My initial thought is that someone may have done something during reassembly and it is most likely the magazine indicator spring on the mag indicator assembly has come out of the little groove in the receiver. This happens very easily and you have to maintain tension on the indicator assembly, while placing the spring in the grove. This is the first piece that i put in and I hold it in place while putting in the bolt carrier latch that goes on the back screw. I then put in the barrel lock, the piece that looks like the "bird head" and then put the barrel latch spring in place that will provide the tension required to hold all three pieces in place.
I have developed my own process over the years that works for me. I have found that inserting a steel probe behind the spring assists in getting it to slide in easy. This is easier said than explained and I hope it makes sense. Every now and then I will get the parts in only to discover that the spring has come out of the groove and must be put back in. It isn't necessary to take it all apart to put the spring back in the groove. This is where the steel probe comes in handy. there is enough side way movement in the spring that you can pry it toward the outside of the receiver and when it clears the slot, push it down and into the slot. It sounds complicated but is very easy and will save disassembly and starting over. You have to do this step before putting the trigger assembly back in the receiver.
I hope this makes sense. I have taken these rifles down hundreds of times in working with my collection and I do it out of habit and don't think about it. I have developed my own technique and it is easier shown that described. I have had to make my own tools to assist with the process of "complete tear down".
I hope this helps with your issue.
Regards,
jack1653
Welcome to the forum You are in the right place and we will try to help resolve your issue. You are in the correct thread "Trouble shooting/maintenance" as a starter. There is a video for disassembly at the beginning of topics that may provide some assistance. There is a topic about midway of the thread "Bolt stays open" by member "ETDM" which sounds like the problem you are having.
My initial thought is that someone may have done something during reassembly and it is most likely the magazine indicator spring on the mag indicator assembly has come out of the little groove in the receiver. This happens very easily and you have to maintain tension on the indicator assembly, while placing the spring in the grove. This is the first piece that i put in and I hold it in place while putting in the bolt carrier latch that goes on the back screw. I then put in the barrel lock, the piece that looks like the "bird head" and then put the barrel latch spring in place that will provide the tension required to hold all three pieces in place.
I have developed my own process over the years that works for me. I have found that inserting a steel probe behind the spring assists in getting it to slide in easy. This is easier said than explained and I hope it makes sense. Every now and then I will get the parts in only to discover that the spring has come out of the groove and must be put back in. It isn't necessary to take it all apart to put the spring back in the groove. This is where the steel probe comes in handy. there is enough side way movement in the spring that you can pry it toward the outside of the receiver and when it clears the slot, push it down and into the slot. It sounds complicated but is very easy and will save disassembly and starting over. You have to do this step before putting the trigger assembly back in the receiver.
I hope this makes sense. I have taken these rifles down hundreds of times in working with my collection and I do it out of habit and don't think about it. I have developed my own technique and it is easier shown that described. I have had to make my own tools to assist with the process of "complete tear down".
I hope this helps with your issue.
Regards,
jack1653
Re: Bolt locks to the rear after the first shot...
To Jack1653,
thanks. I see what you are speaking of...and I have it in place. Now I just need to get all the other pieces in too! I will look for a video or diagram to help...
Ben
thanks. I see what you are speaking of...and I have it in place. Now I just need to get all the other pieces in too! I will look for a video or diagram to help...
Ben
Re: Bolt locks to the rear after the first shot...
Jack 1653,
found a set of photos on Flicker that I was able to use, along with your info, in re-assembling the Model 8. Now I will have to see how she does!! Thank you.
Ben
found a set of photos on Flicker that I was able to use, along with your info, in re-assembling the Model 8. Now I will have to see how she does!! Thank you.
Ben
Re: Bolt locks to the rear after the first shot...
Ben, thanks for asking for help with your rifle. This essentially mirrors some problems I had with mine as well.
Jack, thanks for your description of manipulation of the indicator spring assembly - just what I needed to confirm what I suspected was one of the "sticking points" I was having with my 8. Also, your step by step was helpful, so I can more confidently reassemble the innards in logical order.
Way more moving parts that need to be all working in tandem than with my ca. 1790 smoothbore flintlock!!
Adam
Jack, thanks for your description of manipulation of the indicator spring assembly - just what I needed to confirm what I suspected was one of the "sticking points" I was having with my 8. Also, your step by step was helpful, so I can more confidently reassemble the innards in logical order.
Way more moving parts that need to be all working in tandem than with my ca. 1790 smoothbore flintlock!!
Adam
I am a regular joe, consisting of 78% coffee, 12% hot air, 9% organizational abilities, and 1% luck.