Mossberg MVP bolt problem

[Shprindle]

I have a Mossberg MVP in 223, bought back in 2015. Bedded, updated the trigger guard a few tweaks to the trigger etc. . With hand loads got it shooting consistently under .5 MOA. Use it primarily for varmints as well as factory class at the local ground hog matches. In general was very happy with the rifle. In December I was doing some dry fire practice and the bolt handle separated from the bolt body. Inspecting the parts it looks like the bolt handle is a cast piece that is splined and press fit into the bolt body. Had to send the bolt back to Mossberg for repair. To their credit I had the bolt back in two weeks. I asked for details on assembly method on the bolt and got the following reply "It is pressed together. Unfortunately that is all the information we can share".

My concern is during the dry fire, the bolt rotated and the firing pin dropped with out the lugs fully engaged. If that had been a live round I could have had a bolt in my face. I did a google search and found some others had a similar issue with one ending in a law suit as the owner was injured. My question to the group is do you think it is safe to have a bolt handle press fit into the bolt body. Just concerned about constant torque of cycling the rife, creating another failure in the press fit assembly. Debating on selling it or sending the bolt out to be tig welded.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you did modify it the liabilty is all on you if something else happened.

 

[paperpuncher]

I would ask Mossberg to address your concerns. Firing with the lugs out of battery would be not good I would not want to pass a potential grenade to an unsuspecting individual

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Im not sure that the firing pin could travel forward without the lugs engaged. No other bolt action could. Ive never seen a mossberg mvp but i cant see how they would change a standard design

 

[drover]

Im not sure that the firing pin could travel forward without the lugs engaged. No other bolt action could. Ive never seen a mossberg mvp but i cant see how they would change a standard design

^^^^ This !! ^^^^

 

[Shprindle]

Mossberg would not provide a satisfactory answer, other than to confirm that it was press fit. I read that they had addressed the issue and process, while not acknowledging liability for the suit. See the picture for a better understanding of the problem. This in not my bolt but someone else who had the same issue. They sent me a new bolt so hopefully they have fixed the issue. Would not want to pass on a defective gun to another shooter, but wanted some reassurance from Mossberg that they fixed the problem. I guess that's too much to ask.