Zermatt RimX action bolt head issue.

[mauser284]

So Zermatt switched materials from 4142 to 1142 as I understand it. I thought it was 4140 to 1142 but I keep getting slightly different answers.

Bolts have been sticky to work and galling with use. Hardness testing has shown the new part to be 25 to 28 Rockwell.


Zermatt's responce so far has not been encouraging. Talk of changing the bolt head geometry for future actions and asking people to clean their actions. No talk as to why these bolts are so soft and why they are not just going to go back to 4142.


I have only done 5 minutes of research but the 1142 steel is much cheaper than ther 4142 even though their composition is similar. It has been hard to compare them since few online sights sell them both in identical sizes and states of heat treatment a lot sell on or the other or one is preheat treated and the other is not etc..... Plus I am not putting in a quote I am just looking at published prices which again is not how this industry normaly works for more than small amounts. I wanted to get this out quickly though in case it helps someone that has already ordered one or was planing to order one! If you want to see a fast visual fast forward to 31 minutes! Gouging the bolt face right out of the box in like 6 strokes of the bolt. Serial Number starting at 3000 from multiple venders!

This is one source:

 

[DirtySteve]

Glad mine is below 2800 serial number..
Love the action. Never had a feeding issue with it.

 

[kojaone]

I was getting ready to put a deposit down on a LH RIMX.Maybe do another LH CZ with Modacam.
We have retired the old guy with skills, quit teaching the the young real skills and moved critcal processes overseas.
I'm sure Zermatt is having personal and jobing out issues.Lot of heat treaters were also plating shops.Several of them didn't open up after covid.

 

[Subrosa]

@mauser284, I am experiencing the same issue with a serial # of 31XX. I purchased mine based on my experience shooting my friend's rifle (serial # 2100 range) This entire experience has soured my experience with Zermatt, regretting my purchase now. I received a replacement bolt body and am experiencing the same wear issues on both lugs and the lug recess

 

[Shootin25]

Same issue with brand new Rimx. 200 rounds and severely gouged and sticky.

 

[txgs]

Any update on the RimX action issues? I heard they had it fixed and are shipping actions without the issue. I would like to know root cause of the issue and what they did to fix it before purchasing one.

 

[Subrosa]

@txgs,

The root cause is explained in the initial post, a material change that affected the hardness of the bolt body, presumably to save money instead of taking a price increase. (self-induced) As a consumer, I firmly believe that when you have decided to spend this much on a rimfire action, that quality and performance is paramount. Zermatt should have never made a decision to sacrifice quality; consumers at this level would have paid for the material cost increase without issue.
The fix is still ongoing. According to Zermatt, it was a slight modification of the bolt geometry and a material state change. I have been using one of their "modified" bolts and I am still having issues with bolt lug wear. According to some other owners, the bolt changes have fixed their problem, and others say the problem still exists and are experiencing pretty severe wear. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of Zermatt to fix the problem. I still get pissed when I look at my friend's rifle and see that his bolt has no wear at all (pre-3000 serial number)

 

[msalm]

Couldn’t you just send the bolt head out and have it melonited or PVD coated? Super hard, done deal.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I have only done 5 minutes of research but the 1142 steel is much cheaper than ther 4142 even though their composition is similar.

They aren't very similar at all.
However, there is no reason why 1142 can't be hardened up nicely. It is not necessarily soft.
CZ uses the European equivalent of it in their 457 recievers.

 

[snod85]

I have two rimx actions in jail right now with my smith. The smith is setting on several rimx actions from other customers as well. Last spoke with him a few months ago. We both agreed to let Zermatt work on the final fix and that might take a little time.

It’s disappointing but I run and love the Zermatt TL3 actions on most of my rigs and believe in Ray. Sounds like I need to get an update from my smith.

 

[txgs]

@txgs,

The root cause is explained in the initial post, a material change that affected the hardness of the bolt body, presumably to save money instead of taking a price increase. (self-induced) As a consumer, I firmly believe that when you have decided to spend this much on a rimfire action, that quality and performance is paramount. Zermatt should have never made a decision to sacrifice quality; consumers at this level would have paid for the material cost increase without issue.
The fix is still ongoing. According to Zermatt, it was a slight modification of the bolt geometry and a material state change. I have been using one of their "modified" bolts and I am still having issues with bolt lug wear. According to some other owners, the bolt changes have fixed their problem, and others say the problem still exists and are experiencing pretty severe wear. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of Zermatt to fix the problem. I still get pissed when I look at my friend's rifle and see that his bolt has no wear at all (pre-3000 serial number)

I have yet to hear Zermatt state there was a material change.... only that they had some issues and are making a geometry change. I have asked them directly 4 times for root cause of the failures and if there was a change, and only got that they were having some issues and that they are shipping new bolts out that fix the problem. I hear some work and some don't. I agree from the testing that was done there was obviously a material change. and Zermatt will not answer the question on why they can not go back to the orginal design. Guess they would have to admit they made a change first. My guess is the new material's specification variation is why some are working and some are not. If this is what they are chasing, it could be awhile. They have a Great design, I wish they would go back to the orginal and just charge more.