Norinco action hold open.

[olegs69]

The more I shoot this gun the more the action hold open does not seem to catch.

Perhaps it needs cleaning.
I am at a loss.

-Oleg.

 

[TDC]

There's a good chance its the magazine. Seeing how the follower and subsequently the magazine spring are what induces the bolt catch to operate. A weak mag spring or sketchy follower could be the issue.

TDC

 

[olegs69]

It mostly occurs when I try to lock the bolt back sans mag.
It occurred once with an empty LAR-15 mag (the bolt shaved a bit off my follower).

So I think the issue is elsewhere.

I'll try to take some pics of the various parts.

 

[TDC]

So you're saying after you've depressed the bottom of the bolt catch and cycled the charge handle the bolt does not remain locked to the rear?

TDC

 

[olegs69]

That's correct sir.
It has always been kind of finicky.


In the past I had to lower the bolt partway onto the catch to get it to "stick" to the bolt.

Now even this won't work.

 

[TDC]

I ran into similar problems with a stainless steel bolt catch. The bearing surface had been worn from use and would allow the bolt to slip. I replaced the catch with a standard one and no issues. You might try replacing yours. Its a cheap fix and if it doesn't work you end up with a spare.

TDC

 

[olegs69]

So you're saying after you've depressed the bottom of the bolt catch and cycled the charge handle the bolt does not remain locked to the rear?

TDC

False alarm.

I depress the bolt catch after I pull the charging handle back.
It seems to work fine if I hit the bolt catch first.
AR noob.

On the flipside my norinco M14s is very jealous that I'm fondling the "new one" at 5 am in the morning.

 

[TDC]

You can depress the bolt catch either before, during, or after retracting the charge handle. Just make sure you don't release until you've allowed the bolt to travel forward.

TDC