How do you fix a dry fired rimfire rifle?

Gnome75

Gnome75

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I have a BSA mini martini 12 or 13 that has had issues ejecting. this is as far as it comes out

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I am pretty sure its from being dry fired and developed this bur.

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What is the cheapest and easiest way to fix this? I am no expert but I do have basic tools and can do simple fixes.

I was thinking of taking a file to it but I have been told that may not be a wise choice.
 
handofzeus said:
Weld a wee blob to fill in divot and grind to correct shape. I'e done it, it works. Be sure to protect all surrounding area from weld spatter.
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I do not have a welder. I have basic tools and can do simple things. I consider using a welder for such a thing would be a practiced skill and a tool most people don't have
 
Emery cloth is a great and gentle sorta way to smooth out that burr. As far as the divot , I'd try a bit of JB weld and smooth to shape after hardening with emery cloth again. Just what I'd do personally for a quick , easy and cheap fix on a rifle such as that.

Just smooth out the burr first though and see if that works , skip the rest if it does.
 
You could try to peen the burr back in place. Not sure what the issue would be with removing the burr? The material is already displaced?

R.
 
There's a tool I saw that was a sized punch for rimfires. You'd just drive it into the chamber, and it would press the burr out of the chamber and back to where the metal should have been. Think I saw it on a youtube video from midway....
 
If it has value take it to a gunsmith or machine shop. If it is just a shooter get a very small pointed carbide burr and carefully grind the burr out of the chamber area. and by the picture the area where the rim goes. I have had to do this with a couple of club pistols way back in the day no harmful affects on function. Oh the carbide burr make sure it is a double cut burr.
 
no welding needed, just iron or ream the chamber to take the burr out, fileing or using a rotary file will leave the chamber rough and oversize, and then you will be in troubles. as it is now it will take very little to repair . after its filed out by hand or a dremil with a carbide and its rough and oversize you will need a new bbl.
 
Chamber Ironing Tool:
Midway wont ship to Canada unless things have changed, and Brownell's site shows as discontinued by the factory, good luck find one.

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Get a piece of 7/32" drill rod from the local tool or steel store. You only need about 6 inches. Heat and bend one end about 90 degrees and trim to slightly shorter than a .22 case. Round off and polish the end so as not to mark the chamber. You can harden it if you want but you should be ok for one job. You should be able to iron the barrel metal back to where it came from in a minute. It's easier than you think.
Good luck.
 
There are all sorts of remedies that will work well.

Not just Martins but just about every other 22 rimfire out there can be plagued with a similar issue. The OP's rifle is easily fixed with all of the above mentioned methods.

I replied to him with a PM.

I have removed dozens of similar burrs from as many rimfire firearms.

I use two methods. If the rifle has a a take down feature such as the OP's then it makes the job easier.

There can be issues with "ironing" out the defect. The iron can expand the chamber mouth and just pushes the burr back into the hole. It can also spread out the divot in a manner that will leave a sharp edge.

Also, the divot is loose in the hole and can cause issue later.

I just find it easier and less worrisome to remove it completely.

YES, I most often use a FILE. A couple of round chainsaw files work well. Start with a 5/32 diameter and very carefully remove the burr without enlarging the chamber mouth. BE CAREFUL.

This isn't rocket science and if you only have a one off to do a bit of prep time and CARE will do a fine job.

I made an ironing tool and even though it works I find it requires much more care than a file. As for using a reamer, the reamer may have issues entering the chamber depending on its form. My 22 chamber reamer has a rather sharp edge leade and I wouldn't chance it on an unreduced burr. It's home made but has cut a lot of chambers.

I have measured many different 22rf case diameters. Most are between .221 and .224. A Russian TOZ3 I have has a .228 chamber diameter, most are slightly tighter.

My reamer cuts a .225 chamber.

Back to the topic. Remove the burr if you feel you are handy enough to do it. If not, take it to or send it to a smith. DO NOT use a rotary grinder. They are way to difficult to control and can get away from you easily, ruining the chamber completely.

I can also see from your photos that there are marks on the fired case being extracted from the chamber. I am surprised there aren't any issues with inserting the cartridge.
 
Center punches and drift pins are tapered and could be used as chamber iron. Easily found in hardware stores in the tool section along with small Jewelers files / chainsaw files go slowly and do Trial fittings a lot! Really not all that hard to do soft metal easy fix !
 
Thank you all for the great advice and knowledge. I think I am going to track down the proper tool or just take it in. This was a hand me down from my father with some unique markings so I don't want to screw it up
 
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