Bolt pulling out the rifle when cycling

[UKHunter]

Hello all,

Hoping to draw on the AH collective wisdom to help me determine the cause and resolution to an issue which occurred with my Heym SR20 this weekend.

When cycling the bolt and pulling back on the bolt to extract the fired cartridge, the bolt has started to occasionally pull out the back of the rifle and become detached.

Internally I can see the catch which would normally prevent the bolt being pulled back to far and I can see nothing wrong with the bolt.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I suspect your bolt stop's spring is shot (pun intended). Remove the spring and revitalize it by reshaping.

 

[Red Leg]

It would be helpful to know what kind of action is causing the problem. FN Mausers, for instance, with their double hinged bolt release are notorious for doing what you describe when just a bit of dust or debris gets into the release. But yes, the strength of bolt release spring is often a culprit.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It would be helpful to know what kind of action is causing the problem. FN Mausers, for instance, with their double hinged bolt release are notorious for doing what you describe when just a bit of dust or debris gets into the release. But yes, the strength of bolt release spring is often a culprit.

He said it was Heym SR20

 

[Red Leg]

He said it was Heym SR20

Yep. Missed that.

 

[UKHunter]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated! Would anyone be able to advise or point me towards information on how I can replace the bolt stop spring?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated! Would anyone be able to advise or point me towards information on how I can replace the bolt stop spring?

Sorry, I've never laid hands on one of those rifles. Suggest you contact Heym. I would think they could provide you with a maintenance manual. Or contact a gunsmith.

 

[leslie hetrick]

i had that happen on a new savage 110 in 7mm mag 30+ years ago on a deer hunt, i hit it on the first shot and even tho it went down. it got up and tried to run, needing a second shot. and any one useing a early savage 110 knows it takes like three hands to get it back in, i did get it back in and finished killing the deer. but it turned me sour on savage rifles for many years.

 

[UKHunter]

Spring is now out - I just need to source a new one.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Spring is now out - I just need to source a new one.

Show me what it looks like. You may be able to put some life back into that one.

 

[UKHunter]

Show me what it looks like. You may be able to put some life back into that one.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Note how the top of the spring in the photo is bent over. I suggest trying in the following order 1) Spread the spring apart a bit to make it take on a longer shape. That will add tension. 2) Flip the spring over from what it was situated when you removed it. I presume the bent face of spring was against the bolt stop? Flip it so flat face is against stop. 3) Examine the bolt stop, which I presume is a flat lever in a slot in receiver. See if it shows evidence of uneven wear, i.e. a shiny streak. This could indicate a bolt stop that is misshapen. Correct the shape. 4) I presume the bolt stop is catching the back of a bolt lug. If your bolt stop is anything like my 98 Mauser's, it will catch the top half of the inside lug above the slot in lug for ejector. If the bolt stop is bent, I suppose it could be possible for it to slip over the top of lug instead of catching on the back edge. This could be caused by a bolt stop that is too thin for the slot in receiver and/or a sloppy worn out pivot. Does the bolt stop look like a replacement part (i.e. something a "gunsmith" fabricated)? I would not think bolt stops or their springs would be inclined to wear out as they are rarely activated. Hmmm. But maybe more so for someone who is overly aggressive cleaning with a rod. Cleaning the bore should always be done from chamber to muzzle and using a rod requires removing the bolt and releasing the bolt stop. Another reason I prefer bore snake. No need to mess with pulling the bolt every time the bore is cleaned.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

As an addendum, always release the bolt stop when reinserting the bolt after it's been removed. Yes, some bolt stops are designed to give way if the bolt is forced back into receiver. But it's not a healthy practice as it stresses the bolt stop mechanisms (bolt stop, spring, and pivot) unnecessarily. Release the bolt stop with one hand while sliding the bolt in with the other. Should be no resistance when bolt enters receiver.

 

[UKHunter]

Note how the top of the spring in the photo is bent over. I suggest trying in the following order 1) Spread the spring apart a bit to make it take on a longer shape. That will add tension. 2) Flip the spring over from what it was situated when you removed it. I presume the bent face of spring was against the bolt stop? Flip it so flat face is against stop. 3) Examine the bolt stop, which I presume is a flat lever in a slot in receiver. See if it shows evidence of uneven wear, i.e. a shiny streak. This could indicate a bolt stop that is misshapen. Correct the shape. 4) I presume the bolt stop is catching the back of a bolt lug. If your bolt stop is anything like my 98 Mauser's, it will catch the top half of the inside lug above the slot in lug for ejector. If the bolt stop is bent, I suppose it could be possible for it to slip over the top of lug instead of catching on the back edge. This could be caused by a bolt stop that is too thin for the slot in receiver and/or a sloppy worn out pivot. Does the bolt stop look like a replacement part (i.e. something a "gunsmith" fabricated)? I would not think bolt stops or their springs would be inclined to wear out as they are rarely activated. Hmmm. But maybe more so for someone who is overly aggressive cleaning with a rod. Cleaning the bore should always be done from chamber to muzzle and using a rod requires removing the bolt and releasing the bolt stop. Another reason I prefer bore snake. No need to mess with pulling the bolt every time the bore is cleaned.

Thank you for the response! Having taken the trigger unit out to remove the bolt stop itself, im wondering if the bolt stop itself is the issue. It has wear and now an angle to it. I am thinking the bolt is rising up now and creating downward pressure on the spring to then cause it to be released.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Yep, that bolt stop has definitely been buggered. With the muzzle pointing forward is the bolt stop on left or right side of the bolt? If it's on the left side, the damage was caused during ordinary cycling. If the bolt stop is on the right side, the damage was caused forcing the bolt over the bolt stop when reinserting it into action. Be interested to know the cause to prevent it happening again. File away the curled up edge and see what happens. You appear to have plenty of metal left to make the bolt stop work.

I gotta say, I am not greatly impressed with that design.

Edit: Looking closely at the image it's obvious the bolt stop is on the right side and damage caused by forcing the bolt over the bolt stop when reinserting bolt back into receiver. That side of the pillar is beveled to accommodate the bolt forcing the bolt stop down when reinserted. Obviously, it does not accommodate very well! As I pointed out above, this is a bad practice no matter what the design. Engage the bolt stop while reinserting the bolt, ESPECIALLY with this design.

 

[UKHunter]

Yep, that bolt stop has definitely been buggered. With the muzzle pointing forward is the bolt stop on left or right side of the bolt? If it's on the left side, the damage was caused during ordinary cycling. If the bolt stop is on the right side, the damage was caused forcing the bolt over the bolt stop when reinserting it into action. Be interested to know the cause to prevent it happening again. File away the curled up edge and see what happens. You appear to have plenty of metal left to make the bolt stop work.

I gotta say, I am not greatly impressed with that design.

The bolt stop is on the left, so the damage is caused during cycling. I always depress it when re-inserting the bolt. Ill file away and try to improve the surface and see what happens.

Appreciate the inputs!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It's also possible the bolt stop shaft has been bent due to above reason and it's catching on the guide (presumably there is a guide hole drilled in the receiver for the shaft?). Might need to polish the shaft a tiny bit to restore clearance.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The bolt stop is on the left, so the damage is caused during cycling. I always depress it when re-inserting the bolt. Ill file away and try to improve the surface and see what happens.

Appreciate the inputs!

Okay! I'm surprised Heym would bevel that side of the shaft if its the cycling impact area. Odd.

With no bevel on the opposite side, I doubt the bolt can be reinserted unless the release is engaged.