Norinco JW25A bolt won't go in??

[Tarrantula]

Hi guys,

Just got my Norinco JW25A today. While it looks like a lot of fun, I can't seem to get the bolt into the rifle. It seems caught up on something any which way I go about it. The machining is quite rough, yes, and I am pulling the trigger like you are supposed to do to release the catch mechanism. Anyone else have this problem? I am fairly new to bolt actions, the only other one I have is my Savage 10TR and that one seems easy enough to figure. Any advice is helpful. Thanks everybody.

Tarrantula

 

[Hitzy]

The bolt needs to be in the cocked position to go in. Hold the bolt body tight, raise the bolt handle to #### it.

 

[Tarrantula]

That was exactly what I needed, thanks a bunch Hitzy!!

 

[Sixmaniac]

Good luck turning it by hand, mine is impossible. You may need to put the bolt body in a vice or use vice grips. Take care to protect the parts.

 

[Tarrantula]

I just used rubber work gloves, squeezed hard, and it finally clicked up. Maybe I got lucky. Now if only i can smooth up the action a LOT.

 

[Sixmaniac]

Now if only i can smooth up the action a LOT.

Yup, had to do that as well. A lot of stoning and smoothing.
This is the worst manufactured rifle I have come across! Still lots of work to make it half decent - rear sight is way off centre and no way to adjust. I think I will just have to scope it with something period if possible.