Tavor bolt handle stuck

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Solar

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Have anyone experience this problem?
After firing 600 rounds of UMC 55 grain ammo, I put a fresh mag in and was going to pull the bolt handle back. The bolt handle would not move.
I pulled the bolt assembly out but notice nothing unusual (other than carbon buildup).
I stopped firing, and I will be cleaning the rifle (by just field stripping it). Hopefully, the cleaning will solve the problem.
 
That doesn't sound good. It also doesn't sound like a common or "normal" problem. I'm sitting back waiting for more Tavor informed folks to answer this one.

TDC
 
Initial field strip.
Once I popped the butt open, I could fairly easy to pull the bolt handle back and slided the bolt assembly out. However, as soon as I pushed everything back in and closed the butt, the bolt handle would not move.

I am still hoping it is a cleaning issue. I will try to clean it as soon as I can (but will not be tonight).
 
Cleaning probably won't solve this one. Just to be sure, the bolt handle is locked forward? Can you still move the bolt assembly towards the buffer (meaning that the spring is still in the right place and operable)? Once the buttplate is open try and hold the buffer with one hand and operate the handle with the other; this should allow you to possibly see where binding might be occurring. Report back and we'll see if we can get this figured out.
 
Have you contacted Canada Ammo about this issue as they are the ones that sell this firearm and probably know the most about it.
 
b-wingpilot said:
Cleaning probably won't solve this one. Just to be sure, the bolt handle is locked forward? Can you still move the bolt assembly towards the buffer (meaning that the spring is still in the right place and operable)? Once the buttplate is open try and hold the buffer with one hand and operate the handle with the other; this should allow you to possibly see where binding might be occurring. Report back and we'll see if we can get this figured out.
Click to expand...

I have not got a chance to check anything last night. One thing though, I may have an alignmnet issue.
Just from memory recall, the bolt assembly will silde out when the buttplate is open by pulling the bolt handle towards the butt. Therefore, I think something in the bolt assembly is catching something. The spring is connected to a "rubber" piece - I think this is the buffer that you are referring too.
The buffer is not lining up with the bolt assembly. The buffer is rotated out a little bit. I will try to take the spring off the buffer and to re-align the buffer with the bolt assembly before cleaning.

I live in southern AB so coming to Edmonton is a long drive but thanks for the offer.
I have e-mailed Canada Ammo but they have not replied yet.
 
The same thing happened to me awhile back when I was installing a home made rail onto the existing optics mount.

I ended up taking everything apart (cocking handle, barrel, and bolt carrier assembly) and after re-assembling everything it moved again. In my case, I suspect I must have had an alignment issue with a component in the bolt carrier group or a built in safety mechanism to prevent movement of the bolt if the barrel nut (for lack of a better term) isn't completely engaged.

Kinda freaked me out too but this didn't happen during live fire..

Good luck..
 
Solar said:
See my original post.
Click to expand...

Whoops sorry - missed it. UMC ammo is junk...at least the batch I had. I had one round of UMC get it's bullet pushed into its case in my T97. It sounded weird when it chambered so I caught it before I fired it. It didn't happen with any of the other 80 rounds I used and did not happen with any other type of ammo. It still chambered it though....not sure what would have happened if I fired it. The UMC garbage also left a ton of brass flecks on the internals of the rifle...is it possible one of these flecks put something out of alignment in your rifle? I've seen brass flecks take pistols out of service until they were ceaned.....The UMC also grouped like lightening, it never struck the same place twice.

Do a search on UMC .223in the ammo section, reports of problems and complaints of weak crimps....

Just a thought.
 
I am afraid UMC 55 gr is all I have access for now.
Anyway, I decide to check the rifle for alignment issue. I will be using the names from the Tavor Armour Manual so others will know what I am referrring to:
Open the butt assembly.
Slide the Recoiling System Parts out by pulling the Cocking Handle towards the butt.
The Recoiling System Parts came out pretty easily.
I notice the Buffer is not "in line" with the Bolt Carrier Assembly. See the following pictures:
RecoilingSystemPatrstopview.jpg

BuffernotalignwithBoltCarrierAssemb.jpg

I try to adjust the Return Spring but the Buffer is still not lining up with the Bolt Carrier Assambly.
Then I try to put the Recoiling System Parts back into the rifle. The Buffer sticks out.
Bufferstickingoutofthebutt.jpg

It took 10 mintues of shaking and pulling the Cocking Handle back and forth to get the Buffer to "recess" into the rifle.
Close the Butt Assembly.
Pull the Cocking Handle 10 times and there was no problem (i.e. not stuck).

I am still not sure what cause the Cocking Handle to get stuck. BTW, I did not clean the rifle.
Does other Tavor owners have similar alignment issue with the Buffer and the Bolt Carrier Assembly?
Do you have problem in getting the Recoiling System Parts to recess into the rifle?
Do you think I should go for a test fire with ammo?

Thanks for the help.
 
It almost seems like the bolt had to rotate within the carrier to allow the assembly to sit in the receiver. I think I had to rotate the bolt a bit until it was sitting flush with the breach.
 
aznshooter said:
It almost seems like the bolt had to rotate within the carrier to allow the assembly to sit in the receiver. I think I had to rotate the bolt a bit until it was sitting flush with the breach.
Click to expand...

I will try that and see whether it make a difference when inserting the Recoiling System Parts into the rifle.
 
Almost sounds to me like under-lubrication where one part that can possibly move didn't have the lube to get back in it's place when it wanted to so it scraped against the part what was closest to it and the whole assembly got stuck ....
 
aznshooter said:
It almost seems like the bolt had to rotate within the carrier to allow the assembly to sit in the receiver. I think I had to rotate the bolt a bit until it was sitting flush with the breach.
Click to expand...

Yes, I rotated/extended the bolt carrier and the Recoiling System Parts went into the rifle with no major problem.
 
RobSmith said:
Almost sounds to me like under-lubrication where one part that can possibly move didn't have the lube to get back in it's place when it wanted to so it scraped against the part what was closest to it and the whole assembly got stuck ....
Click to expand...

This is possible but for a service rifle you may run into situation where 1000 rounds will be fired before the next field strip/cleaning. So I am not too sure why the Cocking Handle was stuck.

This weekend I will try a test fire and see.
 
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