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Bolt will not move from closed

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 8:25 pm
by oldsetter
Well Ive got this E grade Model 8 it is beautiful BUT I cannot cycle the bolt it just will not move!
The barrel will push down when accessed from the muzzle end about even with the barrel shroud but the bolt will not move.
Kinda like going out on a blind date with someone who appears like Miss America but when she smiles she has all rotten teeth.
Any suggestions from anyone are welcome.
Id really like to find a specialist gunsmith if anyone has any recommendations FTI Im in western NC.
Thanks for any help!
gb

Re: Bolt will not move from closed

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2020 11:14 pm
by Phyrbird
Can you release the barrel assy as in takedown? Is the safety up?

Re: Bolt will not move from closed

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2020 2:01 pm
by oldsetter
Phyrbird wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 11:14 pm Can you release the barrel assy as in takedown? Is the safety up?
Safety moves freely have not tried to "take-down" as in removal of the forearm and separate the barrel assembly. I did unscrew the forearm which seems not to move but have not tried to use any force to separate the two.
Truth is I'm a bit afraid of this thing since it is from an estate and I have no clue if there is a cartridge in the breach or magazine.
Very strange that I cannot move the bolt at all the bolt release seems normal not movable.

Re: Bolt will not move from closed

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:39 am
by Phyrbird
Safety first :!: :!: :!:
Take a wood dowel, hold the end to where you can see the extractor end on top of the closed bolt. (the forward position) Mark or hold with fingers at the muzzle. That should be about the length from the bolt face to the muzzle. Gently slide the dowel in the barrel, SLOWLY. If it goes all the way to the mark, you are probably empty or a fired case in the chamber. WARNING if it stops about 2" short of the mark don't try to force any further. There may be a live round in the barrel.
This is the trick used by black powder folks to check for empties. They just use a ramrod.
Next take a penlite, lower the safety, look in the back of the receiver. Look for the hammer up. You might not be able to see the hammer if the inside part of the safety lever is up. What do you see?
If the inside safety is up with the safety lever down: wrong; take a small punch & lever the inside safety piece down till it stops about where the outside lever is. In this situation it should release the bolt.
If the inside safety is down; you can see the hammer up: There is something weird here. The action is hung on something not obvious. Verify the barrel is not loaded.
If the inside safety is down; the hammer is back -cocked this is very common. Many do not know drill for releasing the hammer without dropping it on the firing pin. Lots of M8-81s are stored this way for years. Again if the action won't slide back it is not normal. More disassembly will be required.

Re: Bolt will not move from closed

Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2020 2:05 pm
by 48Model81
So what was the problem? My guess is a fired case or unfired cartridge stuck in the chamber.