Browning BAR loading issue

[Potshot21]

My buddy bought an older vintage (70s) BAR in 30-06. Seems like a really nice rifle, and looks almost like it has never been used. He brought it to me after his first time out and complained the whole action was stiff and would sometimes short stroke or fail to cycle. I took it apart and cleaned 30 years of crude out of it and it now has no trouble cycling.

The only issue left is when loading the first round into an empty chamber, the bolt won't lock closed on it's own. In order to get it into battery, he has to tap the charging handle forward to lock it.

Would I be right in thinking that his action spring might be weak? The rifle functions great once the first round in in, just seems to have trouble on initial loading.

Thanks!

 

[gunrunner100]

Tell him to release the charging handle, not to guide it forward.

 

[kamlooky]

Yup, need to hear the Browning music.................klangggggggg

If these rounds are reloads, the full length die might need to be adjusted a bit
or a small base die may be required.

 

[Potshot21]

The problem persists even when cycling the action hard. I've tried it out too and from locked open position to pulling all the way back on the handle and releasing, it still won't cam the lugs closed.

My buddy doesn't reload, so all rounds are factory.

 

[canadaman30]

Tell him to release the charging handle, not to guide it forward.

This, to many people hesitate to pull the bolt all the way back, and let go allowing the action to slam home and lock the bolt like their designed to do

 

[Belliott]

I have Browning bar you must pull it back and let fly home to lock up never try and soft load it. If that does work check the recoil spring and the buffer.

 

[maynard]

4 in the mag or are you trying to stuff 5 in the mag? First round always bind if you have 3 or two in the mag?

 

[b72471]

Take a good stiff oversized brush and clean the chamber spotless. These rifles have a habit of allowing some burnt gases into the chamber area.

 

[gunrunner100]

When you took the action apart, did you notice any deformities on the timing latch?
A small bump, from use, on the front end will slow the bolt head rotation. Also, depending on amount used, there may be a corresponding divot in the bolt head where the timing latch meets.

 

[guntech]

The problem persists even when cycling the action hard. I've tried it out too and from locked open position to pulling all the way back on the handle and releasing, it still won't cam the lugs closed.

My buddy doesn't reload, so all rounds are factory.

See if it will completely close when you do it with only one round in the magazine... then 2, then 3...