Stiff Ross MkII** Bolt

[Sharps45-70]

My bolt is fine when cocked, but once the firing pin is dropped, the bolt is exceptionally hard to unlock, the head rotates partly but stops and “seizes” just before opening. I then need to pull very hard or tap with a mallet to open.

I thought it was gunky in the mechanism but a disassembly and clean didn’t help. Thoughts?

 

[b72471]

If you are PART gunsmith you may be able to do this yourself. Otherwise take it to a gunsmith, the spot where it's dragging may have to be polished up. The other problem with brass not chambering, if the new brass shows signs of not resizing to correct size after firing you may have shorten the FL sizing die 0.020". Both problems can be corrected.

 

[Sharps45-70]

If you are PART gunsmith you may be able to do this yourself. Otherwise take it to a gunsmith, the spot where it's dragging may have to be polished up. The other problem with brass not chambering, if the new brass shows signs of not resizing to correct size after firing you may have shorten the FL sizing die 0.020". Both problems can be corrected.

I solved the brass chambering problem with some virgin Hornady brass. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier!

The Ross unlocking is unique in the surfaces in which the bolt lugs rotate around as they are drawn back and out. I will have a look tonight again with fresh eyes, a bright flashlight, and maybe a sharpie to mark the bearing surfaces.

 

[Sharps45-70]

Issue solved: The bolt was sticking because the notched bolt that goes through the stock for the receiver bridge was rotated the wrong way, and the un-notched portion was obstructing the square arm that pops up to hold the bolt closed when firing. It was stuck too far up and wouldn’t drop down enough to allow the bolt to come freely back! Now we know!