Swede Mauser - Stiff bolt

[Pathfinder]

I find my Swedish Mauser (m38) bolt is very stiff, It just should not be that hard to ####. Is this something that can be fixed by cutting a few coils from a spring in the bolt or something. I cant imagine trying for a fast follow up shot right now.

comments appreciated.

 

[Andy]

Is it stiff with an empty chamber, or just when chambering a round?

 

[Pathfinder]

empty

 

[Andy]

You're not gonna cut any springs!

Start by disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling the bolt:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauserswedish/boltdisassembly/index.asp

Make sure the receiver is clean.

 

[Pathfinder]

Ill try that first,

thanks

 

[Pat Brennan]

Stiff to open or close (they are #### on closing!)?

 

[Pathfinder]

Stiff to close, its like im pushing on a 300lb coil spring Ok maybe not that bad but enought to irk me.

 

['Boo]

Loosen the stock mounting screws a few turns - or take the action out of the stock - and try opening and closing the bolt afterwards.

 

[gunrunner100]

Loosen the stock mounting screws a few turns - or take the action out of the stock - and try opening and closing the bolt afterwards.

Good thought. Wood will shrink over time and people have a tendency to torque screws tight.
Another thing to check, did you recently have a scope mount put on? If so, check the screws in the front receiver ring.

 

[Woodsman]

I suspect your just not used to the long and hard bolt closing of the Swedish rifle. It is designed that way to function flawlessly in winter conditions. Lock time(time from trigger pull to actual detonation) is a little long compared to a modern hunting rifle, but again here it was designed to function in very cold weather.

 

[Pathfinder]

I used to have a swede M96 and never fought with the bolt like I am now. I will follow the advice given above, hopefully tinkering with the stock screws or re-assembly/cleaning of the bolt will fix it.

Im not sure when the mounts were installed, I bought it as is.

 

[Pathfinder]

bolt travel is very smooth until the bolt starts cocking, I guess its workable. On the bright side I had a couple very good groups at 100yds today. Ill keep tinkering with it.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Have you disassembled the bolt yet? Its easy, just pull back on the L shaped hammer on the back of the bolt and unscrew it counter-clockwise. If all looks normal, insert the empty bolt body into the rifle action and see if it closes smoothly, try it on an empty shellcase as well.