So you've locked up your Mauser bolt... (Warning, big pics.)

BAAC

BAAC

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Hey Folks,

So - earlier this week I was taking apart the bolt on my VZ24 and I forgot to put the bolt to safe before I unscrewed the end to get the firing pin out. If anyone has done that before, then you know it locks the bolt up and makes it so you can't install it again.

After posting to see if I could find an answer and then fussing with it for about for an hour, I came across a simple fix that solved the problem. I took down the post as I didn't want to spam the board with problems I had already found a solution for, but yomamma called me out for not posting the solution. I think he made a fair point, so I wanted to post this in case anyone else has a similar issue.

I'm not sure this will work for all Mausers, but a variation might work on yours.

So, when you want to take down your bolt, put it in the safe position, like this:



And not the 'I'm an idiot' position, like this:



Because, if you leave it in the fire position, and then depress the detent to turn it, it will lock up solid in this position (and you will swear quite a bit):



And I mean solid. You can't budge that bad boy.

But the fix is simple. Turn the bolt over so that it's like this:



Pick it up and gently put a flat head screwdriver under the metal tab. I held the screwdriver against my stomach, steadied with my right hand, and held the bolt in my left. Then push the tab away from you (against the tension of the spring). The safety should drop down into place. If it doesn't, use your third hand and turn it back into place.



After that, you're back in business and the bolt will go back into the rifle. Easy.

Anyway, I hope that helps someone. I struggled with that for over an hour until I figured it out.

B
 
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That's an awesome post - I don't care if a thousand people know it already, for the one guy who is screaming blue murder a post like this is a godsend.
 
I've seen this done by pulling the part back with piece of string/shoe lace instead of a screwdriver. I locked bolt on my rifle 2 weeks ago, managed to push it up with my thumb, it wasn't easy but it can also be done.
 
There's a small slot milled into the rear of cocking piece. It just so happen's that an 8MM Mauser rim fit's it perfect so it let's you recock it
 
Sorry to resurrect a VERY old post, however, for the newbs, if you store your bolt outside of the rifle for extended periods, it is a good idea to remove the bolt (with the safety in the FIRE position, then unscrew the bolt shroud enough that the cocking nose slips down into the bolt's cocking indent. That way you're not constantly compressing the spring for long periods of time. Thought I'd add this as it appears this thread is meant as a learning tool for folks not accustomed to Mausers. I do the same thing for pre-98 Mausers, as well as Enfields.

hth

Jim
 
Potashminer said:
string around wrist way of doing it....
Click to expand...

Yes, no screw drivers required lol. You can do the same on your bootlaces, I use a para cord loop on my vice handle or even just the wood legs on my bench to recock these.
String or bootlace is the bomb for Rem 700's
 
or get one of these , no point in stabbing yourself with a screwdriver
gTcYEgs.jpg
 
I put a couple pieces of electric tape on the screw driver, protects bolt metal and I find helps keep it secure. I use the edge of a table too, my abs aren't what they used to be.
 
I just clamp the bolt shroud into a padded bench vise and #### the firing pin using the bolt handle. The whole process takes about 20 seconds or less (and no skinned knuckles either).
 
Or, if you are a real gunny, you have a decent table vice with smooth jaws and you can just grab the sear face and the back of the cocking piece in the vice, pull the body forward and apply the safety. No special tools needed and no big stomach bruise.
 
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