Swapping MN bolts

[berger]

I am in the market for an MN carbine. I own a repro 91/30 sniper with the down turned bolt, and I was wondering if it would work in an M44 or M38? Would headspace be an issue?

Thanks!

 

[points]

No problem swapping it. It wouldn't hurt to headspace it but for a quicky, fire off a couple of rounds of new stuff and carefully inspect the fired casings. If you have bad headspace, it can show on the case. I have quite a few MNs and have accidentally swapped bolts and have never had a problem. MNs are tough.

 

[svt1940]

I am in the market for an MN carbine. I own a repro 91/30 sniper with the down turned bolt, and I was wondering if it would work in an M44 or M38? Would headspace be an issue?

Thanks!

In fact, the only part to swap is the bolt handle and this doesn't affect headspace. This is the good part with a Mosin, you keep the bolt head and can put any other Mosin bolt handle on it.

Joce

 

[bigedp51]

Very good point svt1940 and berger the noisy maggot is just like the Enfield rifle, meaning headspace is adjusted by changing the bolt head. And has the advantage of having the locking lugs at the front of the bolt so the bolt body has no effect on headspace. Meaning on the Enfield the bolt body and bolt head can both get shorter and effect headspace.

 

[Ganderite]

Swap the bolts and cycle a few rounds thru both. If neither one shows any sign of compression on the chambered round, then the headspaces are very similar.

 

[berger]

Thanks guys!

I never realized the handle could be swapped. I will have to look at that more closely.

Cheers!

 

[marc_j]

Head space issues are like "slam fires" in SKS's. Widely reported urban myths designed to sell gauges or fancy firing pins. As several people have already pointed out, the bolt head is half of the head space equation - the bolt head is un-serialized so there was never any intention to "match" it a to chamber. Interchangeability between components is fundamental to mass production of anything.

Serialization is a military practice to control the government property a soldier is issued. It has nothing to do with interchangeability.

You should always examine spent cases and be alert for unusual events in any firearms. Older firearms, require greater attention because of their age, the quality of the material used in their manufacture, and unknown history.