Damaged mares leg bolt. Is it safe to use??

T

truemask

CGN Regular
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Location
manitoba CA
Got a question some of the more experienced people here might be able to answer.

Awhile ago I bought a used ranch hand off the EE. Owner swore up and down it was a mint piece. I specifically asked if the internals were all good. He said yeah.

Got the thing immediately took it down for inspection and cleaning. And noticed the bolt was damaged.

I know as a general rule, not to use damaged firearms. But the damage seems relatively minor. And it's not going to cause a bore obstruction which is worst-case scenario.

To be honest I still spent a good chunk of change on it and would ashamed If I can't use it.

So here are the pics. Any information or input is appreciated.

Ranch hand bolt https://imgur.com/gallery/bmOxf9l
 
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Are we talking about the small chip at the edge of the bolt face? Looks immaterial to me. They just machined the edges a little to thin and it had a very small failure there. Doesn’t look like anything worrying about. If that’s your idea of daredevil, then you live a very mundane life.
 
mbogo3 said:
I'd have a chat with the seller and then there's always feedback depending on the response.
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What do you mean by feedback. I talked to him about it and he didn't have alot to say about it. I managed to get him to refund a small amount because he promised a mint rifle which it wasn't.

If you mean EE seller feedback leaving a negative isn't going to make this rifle any safer to shoot. Or fix the gouge in the bolt.
 
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Blastattack said:
Are we talking about the small chip at the edge of the bolt face? Looks immaterial to me. They just machined the edges a little to thin and it had a very small failure there. Doesn’t look like anything worrying about. If that’s your idea of daredevil, then you live a very mundane life.
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Thanks for the opinion. I didn't think it seemed like critical damage.

But no need to be insulting. Sure I know its not a real "daredevil" act. I mean I was taking a bit of a risk. Anyone knows using a damaged gun it could blow up in your face. So kinda risky.

And yes that chip in the metal is pretty clear to see in the second picture. Also all of the casings seem slightly blackened on one side after firing.

That is one of my worries that mean the bolt doesn't seal up 100% and might cause some backward gas leakage.
 
I don't see how the seller could not have seen the damage before claiming it was mint condition. The big issue is how or why the that piece break off ? Was the bolt improperly hardened or heat treated ? If so, then your concern should be will the bolt stand up to continued use and with a reasonable margin of safety. If one side of the casings are slightly blackened you might want to check the dimensions of a fired case to see if it is completely round or if it is slightly bulged. Conceivably escaping gas from a burst casing could have put sideways pressure on the piece broken off.

cheers mooncoon
 
I would have sent it back to the seller for a refund. Its not worth shooting it in that condition as you don't know how it was damaged and how it will fail next.

I'm also quite sure the manufacturer would tell you not to fire it with a broken bolt.
 
depending on the skill and knowledge set of the seller it could be possible he didn't know about the damage. was the seller the original owner or did he buy it used and didn't know that the bolt wasn't supposed to look like that? Did the seller even know the bolt wasn't damaged if he didn't know how to disassemble the fire arm or never did. Now given that you thought you had purchased a gem, how good a deal was the purchase price? Too Good? instead of firing to see if it would blow up or not, my first thought would have been consult a smith or better yet the manufacturer, they might have said this is a warranty replacement, don't shoot. The other slim chance is that in disassembly did someone stick a flat edge some where to pry something and an oops? I don't know either party of the transaction, just saying that there is more than one side to a story and that this should have been check with the seller, go for warranty, get it fixed and then share your adventure in your purchase of a firearm.
 
I'd be curious to know how much of a chunk has broken off?
Maybe the bolt was dropped and with a bad casting the results are shown?

Lots of interesting perspectives, but claimed as mint I sure as heck would
encouraged the seller to take it back.

Someone's mistake and sure not the buyers...…………….unless...…………….?
 
kamlooky said:
I'd be curious to know how much of a chunk has broken off?
Maybe the bolt was dropped and with a bad casting the results are shown?

Lots of interesting perspectives, but claimed as mint I sure as heck would
encouraged the seller to take it back.

Someone's mistake and sure not the buyers...…………….unless...…………….?
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It was a small chunk broken off, I imagine about half a pea sized piece.

And it's. But late to ask to return I did this deal maybe 6+ months ago. I would say maybe he didn't know. But the seller seemed suspicious after the fact. We talked on the phone which is unusual for a CGN sale. Thought maybe he was the chatty type at first. But now seeming more like a con man.
 
mooncoon said:
I don't see how the seller could not have seen the damage before claiming it was mint condition. The big issue is how or why the that piece break off ? Was the bolt improperly hardened or heat treated ? If so, then your concern should be will the bolt stand up to continued use and with a reasonable margin of safety. If one side of the casings are slightly blackened you might want to check the dimensions of a fired case to see if it is completely round or if it is slightly bulged. Conceivably escaping gas from a burst casing could have put sideways pressure on the piece broken off.

cheers mooncoon
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In thinking he knew about the damage but played dumb. Not sure how it could have broke im thinking it wasn't from firing it. Probably from being hard on the action. Or maybe since it's a mares leg he tried a terminator style flip-cocking it and it broke.

And I checked the casings. No buldging at all, perfectly round. Just blacked. But from what I read about 45. LC (long colt) case blacking is pretty common.
 
6 + months ago.. Well isn't it kinda late to bring this up? Should have like 6 months ago. Its too long to give feedback. Guess only option would talk to the manufacture and see what they can do.
 
gunpro said:
depending on the skill and knowledge set of the seller it could be possible he didn't know about the damage. was the seller the original owner or did he buy it used and didn't know that the bolt wasn't supposed to look like that? Did the seller even know the bolt wasn't damaged if he didn't know how to disassemble the fire arm or never did. Now given that you thought you had purchased a gem, how good a deal was the purchase price? Too Good? instead of firing to see if it would blow up or not, my first thought would have been consult a smith or better yet the manufacturer, they might have said this is a warranty replacement, don't shoot. The other slim chance is that in disassembly did someone stick a flat edge some where to pry something and an oops? I don't know either party of the transaction, just saying that there is more than one side to a story and that this should have been check with the seller, go for warranty, get it fixed and then share your adventure in your purchase of a firearm.
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Price wasn't to far off from a usual used mares leg. The slight discount was supposed to from a larger rust blemish on the side of the receiver.

I don't think the damage is from a tool there is no tool marks on it anywhere. And it's not from firing or the damage would be more severe. I think it was from being hard on the action. Maybe flip cocking it terminator 2 style.

And I might consult a Smith but there isn't many in my city so it's difficult. So I was hoping maybe a Smith here on CGN would know the pictures say it all. And I could try to contact the manufacturer. I doubt it under warranty from what I seen about looking up the serial it probably a roughly 10 year old rifle.
 
OkayShooter said:
6 + months ago.. Well isn't it kinda late to bring this up? Should have like 6 months ago. Its too long to give feedback. Guess only option would talk to the manufacture and see what they can do.
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Feedback isn't going to help I don't expect the buyer to take it back or offer any help.
He refunded some of my money for the damage and I agreed to that.

Now I'm just wondering about how safe it is to use. I was hoping a gunsmith on here or someone with more knowledge would have a good opinion on it.
I might still see what manufacturers have to say, have to contact Rossi.

EDIT: judging from Rossi's site, it doesn't say anything about lifetime warranty on long guns, will have to call for more info since they have no email
 
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I'd contact the manufacturer just because.
You never know the spiderwebs in the clositt.
There may be an in house clause that one may not know
is there.
 
truemask said:
Price wasn't to far off from a usual used mares leg. The slight discount was supposed to from a larger rust blemish on the side of the receiver.

I don't think the damage is from a tool there is no tool marks on it anywhere. And it's not from firing or the damage would be more severe. I think it was from being hard on the action. Maybe flip cocking it terminator 2 style.

And I might consult a Smith but there isn't many in my city so it's difficult. So I was hoping maybe a Smith here on CGN would know the pictures say it all. And I could try to contact the manufacturer. I doubt it under warranty from what I seen about looking up the serial it probably a roughly 10 year old rifle.
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I thought you said the seller described it as being in mint condition... yet it was sold at a discount due to a larger rust blemish on the side of the receiver... so he told you or you saw pics of the gun with a large rust blemish? How could the seller be calling it mint if hes disclosing rust damage?
 
gutinater said:
I thought you said the seller described it as being in mint condition... yet it was sold at a discount due to a larger rust blemish on the side of the receiver... so he told you or you saw pics of the gun with a large rust blemish? How could the seller be calling it mint if hes disclosing rust damage?
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Well mint aside from the rust blemish, and aside from the damaged bolt and blemish it is in very good condition.

I think his meaning was it was in perfect condition aside from the rust on the receiver. (Assuming he didn't know about the bolt)
 
Give Rossi a call and or send them a photo of the bolt, that isn't supposed to happen. from the photo there is a flaw in the casting and or machining in the bolt and metal fatigue failure. 10 years old or not, you might be surprised.
 
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