Portuguese Vergueiro Mauser 1904/39 8mm Bolt Question

[BAAC]

OK,

This thing is driving me nuts.

I took my Port Mauser bolt apart to swap firing pins (old one was chipped). That's when the fun started.

It goes back together no problem, but it won't cycle. The bolt goes into the gun and will rotate about 5 or 10 degrees, but then stops as if it's hit a brick wall. I can't drop the bolt fully home.

I've watched Diopter's video 100 times. (And many thanks to him for doing that.) And I've read every instruction online I can find.

Here's the thing: I'm 99% sure I'm doing it right. But it won't go in.

One thing that strikes me as weird: Diopter and others mention the force required to #### the bolt again to get it ready to go back into the rifle. Mine doesn't take much force. I can do it easily. As a matter of fact, it takes almost no effort. So, something is off.

Has anyone ever run into this? Is it possible that this could be down to a weak or damaged spring? This one has me totally stumped.

Any and every idea is appreciated. Right now, this is a big Portuguese paperweight.

 

[Eaglelord17]

How is rotating the cocking piece to ‘ready to fire’ outside of the gun and back to the ready to cycle? I am having a tough time envisioning what your issue could be with it.

 

[BAAC]

How is rotating the cocking piece to ‘ready to fire’ outside of the gun and back to the ready to cycle? I am having a tough time envisioning what your issue could be with it.

Sorry - I didn't do a good job explaining it.

It's easy to rotate the cocking piece outside the gun - almost no resistance. Everyone mentions how hard it is, but not on this bolt. That's what is striking me as weird. All the pieces seem to be in the right place at the right stage in reassembly, but there is almost no resistance when you go to #### the bolt to get it back in. I know from my other Mausers that it should be hard to #### it - but it's not.

Then, once it's in, it won't go into battery. It just stops about 10% of the way.

I'm thinking the two must be related in some way, but I don't get it.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Somethings interfering which shouldn’t be. I will take a look at my rifles tomorrow to see if I can get a idea of what it might be.

 

[Brutus]

Well. I know nothing about this specific rifle, however I did notice on Mauser rifles (both K98 centrefire & training rimfire) a huge show stopper is not screwing the cocking piece far enuf inwards onto the firing pin, before inserting the bolt for reassembly.

maybe

 

[diopter]

I suspect it might be the "new" firing pin. Check both firing pins side by side.

It could also be that bolt face or the cocking piece are not completely aligned properly.
Boltface alignment at 4:52

 

[Snider shooter]

Well. I know nothing about this specific rifle, however I did notice on Mauser rifles (both K98 centrefire & training rimfire) a huge show stopper is not screwing the cocking piece far enuf inwards onto the firing pin, before inserting the bolt for reassembly.

maybe

This is what I suspect. I bought a Mauser for a low price because of the same issue. I had another bolt I compared it to and it was obvious the piece wasn’t screwed in enough.

 

[BAAC]

Thanks all.

Will check the new pin and the alignment.

@Diopter - thanks for doing that video, BTW. I would be so screwed without YouTube how-to videos.

 

[Eaglelord17]

I took apart both of my bolts today (one unrefurbished mixmaster 1904 and one refurbished and matching 1904/39). Since this issue started after you changed the firing pin that is likely where the problem lies.

Looking at how it all interacts together, your issue is likely more towards the cocking piece than the bolt face. Is it possible your a thread off on the cocking piece? That would be enough that your sear wouldn’t be grabbing the cocking piece and instead it would be trying to rotate the cocking piece assembly which would likely bind up. It also would mean there isn’t as much spring tension which would explain why it is so easy to rotate outside the gun. And it is also easy to do since it is a interrupted thread system.

A way to test this would be to put some white chalk (or sharpie) on the cocking piece sear engagement point and see if it is getting rubbed off. If it isn’t thats where your issue likely lies. Or look at the protrusion of the firing pin out of the cocking piece it should be sticking out a little bit.

 

[BAAC]

I took apart both of my bolts today (one unrefurbished mixmaster 1904 and one refurbished and matching 1904/39). Since this issue started after you changed the firing pin that is likely where the problem lies.

Looking at how it all interacts together, your issue is likely more towards the cocking piece than the bolt face. Is it possible your a thread off on the cocking piece? That would be enough that your sear wouldn’t be grabbing the cocking piece and instead it would be trying to rotate the cocking piece assembly which would likely bind up. It also would mean there isn’t as much spring tension which would explain why it is so easy to rotate outside the gun. And it is also easy to do since it is a interrupted thread system.

A way to test this would be to put some white chalk (or sharpie) on the cocking piece sear engagement point and see if it is getting rubbed off. If it isn’t thats where your issue likely lies. Or look at the protrusion of the firing pin out of the cocking piece it should be sticking out a little bit.

YES!

Thanks very much for taking the time to do that - you solved it.

I think the problem was that the new firing pin has slightly sharper edges at the end where it interfaces with the cocking piece. (The old one was worn a little smooth.) I forced the bolt face as tight to the bolt as I could when I cocked it, and then gave it a sharp whack with my hand when it was in the rifle and it went into battery. Cycling fine now.

I think the new firing pin just wasn't 100% lining up with the threads in the cocking piece. We're talking a few thousands maybe, but that was enough to hold up the bolt.

Amazing. Thanks very much.

 

[Eaglelord17]

No problem, I am glad it worked for you! The Portuguese M1904 rifles are among my favourites and I am just happy someone else is using them.

 

[diopter]

YES!

Thanks very much for taking the time to do that - you solved it.

I think the problem was that the new firing pin has slightly sharper edges at the end where it interfaces with the cocking piece. (The old one was worn a little smooth.) I forced the bolt face as tight to the bolt as I could when I cocked it, and then gave it a sharp whack with my hand when it was in the rifle and it went into battery. Cycling fine now.

I think the new firing pin just wasn't 100% lining up with the threads in the cocking piece. We're talking a few thousands maybe, but that was enough to hold up the bolt.

Amazing. Thanks very much.

Good for you!. Now just get a bottle of decent Portuguese Port to celebrate.
I suggest one of the Taylor Fladgate.
Start with cheapest Late Bottled Vintage LBV, still petty good at the prince range, then work up to the 20 Year old Tawny for special occasions.
Look for some Natas in a Portuguese Bakery near you.

https://www.tastetoronto.com/guides/the-best-portuguese-custard-tarts-in-toronto

 

[BAAC]

^^^ Lol.

Also good advice. Guns, booze and dessert... what more do you need out of life?