Bolt issue

[Texas Solo]

I've narrowed my recent issue to the bolt. Problem is that I don't know enough to figure it out.

Savage #12 Target action.

Intermittent failure to strike primer.
First 3 rounds fired with a very heavy hit on the primer. Next round did not fire. Just a tiny dent in primer.

I took bolt apart again. It's as clean as it can be. But when reassembling it, I saw that the firing pin didn't fall through the FP hole in the bolt head.
After messing with multiple times, it would go forward as it should.
It's just luck if it goes through the FP hole or not.

First thing I'm thinking is that the FP is bent. I ordered a new one.

But I'm wondering what guides the pin to go straight into the hole?

Might sound like a silly question, but I don't understand.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[DShortt]

I've narrowed my recent issue to the bolt. Problem is that I don't know enough to figure it out.

Intermittent failure to strike primer.
First 3 rounds fired with a very heavy hit on the primer. Next round did not fire. Just a tiny dent in primer.

I took bolt apart again. It's as clean as it can be. But when reassembling it, I saw that the firing pin didn't fall through the FP hole in the bolt head.
After messing with multiple times, it would go forward as it should.
It's just luck if it goes through the FP hole or not.

First thing I'm thinking is that the FP is bent. I ordered a new one.

But I'm wondering what guides the pin to go straight into the hole?

Might sound like a silly question, but I don't understand.

Any help is appreciated.

So, I recently discovered that with the stock relieved to allow the bolt handle to close completely with no stock interference, it caused *just* enough interference to prevent the firing pin from striking the primer forcefully enough for ignition.

I corrected it by adding just a dab of JB weld to the action to keep the bolt handle where it needed to be for reliability.

You might try raising the bolt handle just a smidge to check for primer strikes. You can even test this at home with a primed, but unloaded case. Just wear ear plugs. Primer detonation is surprisingly loud. Ask me how I know.

This was a Zastava 'mini-mauser'. May or may not be relevant.

As to guiding the pin to the primer, your bolt body does that, with the bolt face.

 

[Texas Solo]

So, I recently discovered that with the stock relieved to allow the bolt handle to close completely with no stock interference, it caused *just* enough interference to prevent the firing pin from striking the primer forcefully enough for ignition.
This was a Zastava 'mini-mauser'. May or may not be relevant.

It's a McMillan stock. Been using it for 750 rds without issue until now.
I don't think the stock is the problem.

 

[DShortt]

It's a McMillan stock. Been using it for 750 rds without issue until now.
I don't think the stock is the problem.

OK, well wear and tear might be vexing you.

Just a suggestion, easy to check.

 

[243winxb]

AI Overview from Google



A "sear drag" on a Savage #12 Target action's firing pin means that the sear, the part of the trigger mechanism that holds the firing pin cocked, is not fully releasing when the trigger is pulled, causing friction against the firing pin and potentially hindering a clean strike on the primer, impacting accuracy and potentially causing light strikes.

 

[DShortt]

AI Overview from Google



A "sear drag" on a Savage #12 Target action's firing pin means that the sear, the part of the trigger mechanism that holds the firing pin cocked, is not fully releasing when the trigger is pulled, causing friction against the firing pin and potentially hindering a clean strike on the primer, impacting accuracy and potentially causing light strikes.

I didn't delve into specifics, but this is basically what I was experiencing on my Zastava.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Are you bumping the shoulders on your brass? Increasing headspace whether its the chamber or the brass can cause misfires.

The round journal behind the firing pin is what guides it inside the bolt to keep it centered.

Weren't you asking about this a week ago?

 

[Sniperhandle]

AI Overview from Google



A "sear drag" on a Savage #12 Target action's firing pin means that the sear, the part of the trigger mechanism that holds the firing pin cocked, is not fully releasing when the trigger is pulled, causing friction against the firing pin and potentially hindering a clean strike on the primer, impacting accuracy and potentially causing light strikes.

This is most likely what's going on. Good find.

 

[Texas Solo]

Weren't you asking about this a week ago?

Yes. Same issue, but now I have it narrowed down to the bolt.

I will look at possible "sear drag".

 

[marazzi59]

The black steel pin that actually holds the bolt head and baffle to the bolt body could be slightly misaligned. Also depending on the type of firing pin spring there could be a small "washer" that wasnt put back in. That is if you have the multiple spring style