Semi-auto rimfire Q's

[jimbo14]

Never shot one of these types of matches, but I want to try at some point this year. I have a safety question for my semi-auto. It will not eject a round from the chamber when I manually move the bolt. Think of a situation where I have a dud round mid-stage, or need to clear the gun at the end of a stage. Right now I need to use my fingernail to flick out the unfired round.

What is the proper procedure for dealing with a round that won't fire during a stage or clearing at the end when the bolt won't extract it in either case?

This is a Thompson Center R55 Benchmark. It retailed in the $4xx USD range when I bought it, but is it eligible for the Production/Base class at matches today? I don't have a current MSRP because it has been discontinued for over 10 years.

My only other .22LR rifle is an old 1960's Mossberg with a 7-round mag. Hoping to be able to try out the R55 but if the round extraction issue is a problem, then I'll maybe sell it and buy a new CZ or something.

Thanks!

 

[Mystic Precision]

With any rifle for this game, reliable operation is paramount. There are ammo better suited to the needs of this game and if these also have extraction issues, fix the rifle.

If you can't clear a problem on a stage, you time out and loose those points. It is rare you have enough time to use a tool to remedy... but we strive to avoid this in the first place.

If you have a 10rd mag and a 9 rd stage, you may end up with a chambered rd ... often if you indicate to the match director, they can let you fire off that rd and problem done. But it will always be best if you can eject a chambered rd.

hope you can get the rifle sorted and come out and join in the fun.

Jerry

 

[RifleDude]

When you have to manually extract the round, you have to rely on the extractor and extractor spring to do the work of extracting. In normal semi-auto mode, the recoil force of the round pushes the empty (and bolt) back and out, not so much the extractor. I would check the extractor, it may need to be sharped a tiny bit to provide more "bite" or the extractor spring is weak, not holding the extractor onto the rim. Short story, fix it or get it fixed by a competent gunsmith before using your rifle in a match.

 

[jimbo14]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I will take your advice and have it dealt with.

I bought it new and it has always been like this, even though the instructions indicate racking the bolt should pull out a round from the chamber. Yet it also says to use your fingers or a piece of wood in case the round doesn’t come out. I think TC expected this.

 

[ccm22]

Check the bullet once you pull it out. Your rifle may have a match chamber where the bullet makes contact with the rifling of the barrel which makes it difficult to extract.

 

[jimbo14]

Check the bullet once you pull it out. Your rifle may have a match chamber where the bullet makes contact with the rifling of the barrel which makes it difficult to extract.

Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out next range outing.