M38 bolt problem

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ricohman

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I just received my M38 and I have found that the bolt hangs up if I don't cycle it by pressing to the right with some downward pressure. I will get stuck about and inch or so from closing.
When I swapped the bolt from my 91/30 in it works without any problem. But when I put the M38 bolt into the 91/30 it work fine. So obviously I am really confused. There is something about that bolt and that M38 receiver that do not work well together.
I swapped the bolt face and that seemed to clear up 50% of the problem. The bolt lug seems to be riding high as it nears the front of the receiver. If you give it a push it will "click" down into place and slid forward.
Do any of the dealers sell bolt parts?
 
Mine is having the exact same issue. The bolt is sloppy and the lug will fetch up on one of the cutouts inside the chamber, just short of closing all the way. It only happens with mine if I close the action moderately slowly and can be corrected by pushing down on it with a "click". If I slam it shut it tends not to fetch up.

Mine functions flawlessly as well if I switch it out with a bolt from my m91/30's however the head spacing could be an issue so I don't wish to go this route.

What year and factory is your? Mine is a 1944 Izhevsk and the bolt serial number matches the barrel/receiver as well.
 
The bolt ways on these things were sloppy to start, age hasn't improved that situation any & the bolts have been polished within an inch of their lives. Take all those factors into account & its a miracle it works at all. You can start changing parts but they don't come by easily or cheaply. Clean the snot out of it, use a thicker oil & work the bolt like you mean it, you be ok.
 
desporterizer said:
The bolt ways on these things were sloppy to start, age hasn't improved that situation any & the bolts have been polished within an inch of their lives. Take all those factors into account & its a miracle it works at all. You can start changing parts but they don't come by easily or cheaply. Clean the snot out of it, use a thicker oil & work the bolt like you mean it, you be ok.
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Yeah its still safe, the lugs lock tight in so that's good its just a slop fest. Yeah phuck it I'll just slap the schit out of her when I use it.

I got another one comming anyway, maybe she'll be smoother.
 
I guess I have my answer. These M38 bolts have to be worked a certain way. I gave the rifle to my son and told him to cycle the bolt. It hung up on him the first try so I know its not just the way I am using it.
Funny how the 91/30 bolt has no issues in the M38 receiver.
 
You cah polish a tiny chamfer on the front edge of the bolt lug (and I mean tiny) and this may help. These rifles were meant to be cycled with the palm of your hand. Using full force. No thumb and forefinger sissy crap.
 
davemccarthy707 said:
You cah polish a tiny chamfer on the front edge of the bolt lug (and I mean tiny) and this may help. These rifles were meant to be cycled with the palm of your hand. Using full force. No thumb and forefinger sissy crap.
Click to expand...

I believe that. Using an open palm there is no way to get the bolt hung up on the lug. Because with an open palm you are pressing down and to the right engaging the lug.
 
ricohman said:
I guess I have my answer. These M38 bolts have to be worked a certain way. I gave the rifle to my son and told him to cycle the bolt. It hung up on him the first try so I know its not just the way I am using it.
Funny how the 91/30 bolt has no issues in the M38 receiver.
Click to expand...

Some fit better than others. The 91/30 bolt may be less worn.
 
I've done a bit of reading on this and many seem to say that the bolt heads on these rifles (and the 91/30) were comonly swapped in the field and during refurbishment. I'm not saying not to check the headspace but I guess this is nothing new.
I even read that troops used to carry a chunk of wood to open a sticky bolt until a replacement could be found and often the entire bolt was swapped.
 
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