Help with Mauser bolt issue?

[BAAC]

Hey Everybody,

So... I'm confused...

I bought an M48 lately from Corwin - it's in great shape and the bolt matches the receiver. Cleaned out all the cosmo and the bolt cycles fully and closes as expected.

Sizing some brass today for reloads using a full-length sizing die and trimming brass to length. It fits in my other Mausers no problem.

It fits in the M48 - no problem.

But the bolt won't close. The brass slips in perfectly and drops out perfectly without having to use a rod, but the bolt won't close.

What am I doing wrong? Any ideas?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[DaveF]

Doesn't the Mauser need the brass to be in it's magazine for the extractor to engage it when cycling the bolt ?
I'm not into Mausers, but seem to remember hearing of broken/chipped extractors from trying to force the bolt to close on an already chambered round.

 

[MattE93]

Could be the issue, unlike something like an Enfield Mausers must cycle from the magazine. Additional issue could be slightly different head space and therefore chamber size from your other Mausers

 

[BAAC]

Doesn't the Mauser need the brass to be in it's magazine for the extractor to engage it when cycling the bolt ?
I'm not into Mausers, but seem to remember hearing of broken/chipped extractors from trying to force the bolt to close on an already chambered round.

Holy... Yup. That's it.

Doesn't matter how long I do this, it seems like there is always that one little bit of info that can trip you up.

Thanks very much.

 

[highlander]

Doesn't the Mauser need the brass to be in it's magazine for the extractor to engage it when cycling the bolt ?
I'm not into Mausers, but seem to remember hearing of broken/chipped extractors from trying to force the bolt to close on an already chambered round.

Yep, what he said.

Mausers have to be fed from the magazine.

 

[RifleDude]

Yep, what he said.

Mausers have to be fed from the magazine.

It's called "controlled feed". It has advantages and disadvantages. You just found one of the disadvantages. You can't just drop a round in the chamber.

 

[BAAC]

Good stuff - thanks for this.

Spent too much time around Enfields, apparently... Looking to spend way more time with the milsurps this summer.