Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Information on Malfunctions and Care of your Model 8 & 81
Post Reply
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

I have a new purchase Model 8 (made in 1910) and when I manipulate the bolt and pull it back, it is not locking back. The bolt just goes forward. This is a problem. It is obviously not catching the bolt release. Any idea what is wrong?

Thanks in advance.
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
User avatar
Hibby83
Posts: 410
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:35 am

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by Hibby83 »

If you push up on the indicator lever while pulling the bolt back, does the bolt lock back?

Troubleshooting online isn't easy.

Have you taken apart any of your 8's & 81's ?
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

Thanks guys. That seems to be the problem. I completely took it down, including the bolt assembly. Now the problem is the stock/tang screw is not finding the threaded hole when reassembling. I've had this same problem before on my other rifles. I tried for hours last night trying to get the correct angle to get the screw to find the threads, but no dice. Ugh, so frustrating. Btw, the stock is not original to the gun.
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
User avatar
Hibby83
Posts: 410
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:35 am

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by Hibby83 »

Is the bolt lock back fixed now?

Atleast one of mine needs solid pressure pushing together for the stock screw to align. Be very careful not to crossthread that screw.

Take your time and be in the right mindset, you'll get it.
User avatar
Phyrbird
Posts: 1037
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:53 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by Phyrbird »

Boy is Luke right about the screw :!: :!: :!:
Give you 3 guesses how much luck we have finding a tap to chase threads :shock:
Phyrbird
SOKY
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

Thanks for the advice, Hibby. It does appear the bolt locks back now after a complete disassembly, cleaning, and ensuring that the little spring is sitting in the groove in the receiver. Honestly, I have spent the last three days trying to get the stock screw back in the gun, with no luck. I'm being careful not to mess up the threads. I am placing good pressure on the stock to try to align things but the screw is consistently hitting the rear edge of the hole each time. I'm contemplating going to a gunsmith at this point.

The rifle was completely assembled when I brought her home last week so it is theoretically possible to go back together....but its not happening again. I'm wondering if the angle of the channel is off in the stock itself and needs to be re-cut or widened. Ugh....
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

Correct, the screw goes in with no issues without the stock. It is only when I try to insert the screw with the stock on that it doesn't line up correctly. And no amount of pressure on the stock is aligning it properly. The trigger group is properly installed.
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
User avatar
Phyrbird
Posts: 1037
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:53 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by Phyrbird »

Phyrbird
SOKY
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

Thanks for this link, its good information. I might try to auger out the recoil spring guide rod hole in the stock.
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

I took the rifle to a business near me that sells processed wood that people can purchase to make rifle stocks, tables, etc. The owner has worked on stocks before. He was helpful and thought there could be debris in the recoil spring guide rod channel. He blew compressed air to the channel for about 10 seconds and it immediately fit better on the receiver...and the screw went on with no problem. He didn't charge me. I guess there was hardened oil and other debris in there causing all sorts of havoc. Thanks for everyone's advice.

The new problem I'm now having is the bolt head is not camming forward to avoid the barrel. When I release the bolt it hits the barrel and there is a good inch between the bolt head and the barrel. I'm wondering if I did something wrong when I reassembled the bolt latch on the bolt assembly.

Sorry for the issues...this old girl is pretty on the outside but has some internal problems. ha.
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
doublecanister
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:13 pm

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by doublecanister »

After some manipulation of the bolt head, I fixed it!! She is closing properly now.

Ugh, what a process. I'm exhausted, physically and emotionally. I hope she shoots now.
Todd
Remington Model 8, .35 Rem (1909)
Remington Model 8, .32 Rem (1926)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1937)
Remington Model 81, .35 Rem (1941)
Remington Model 81, .300 Savage (1946)
Remington Model 81, 35 Rem (1948)
User avatar
Hibby83
Posts: 410
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:35 am

Re: Bolt not locking back when I pull the bolt back

Post by Hibby83 »

Great to hear it's back as it should be, all that it needed was cleaned out.

The bolt can move in the carrier and make difficult to mate the the barreled assembly on at times. I always leave the bolt forward when i take the rifle down, it hasn't given me issue yet.

Look forward to hearing a positive experience from your range report.
Post Reply