Help with Bolt on Ruger American Predator

[cjbruin]

Hi All. I just bought my first bolt action rifle. when I took the bolt out of the box, I could see that the bolt sleeve is not oriented properly...it's basically upside down or 180 degrees off (see photo). Must have been when the sales guy repacked it. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to fix it? Thanks in advance.

[baih777]

You should be able to grasp it firmly and spin it around.
Go shoot it.as soon as you can to check its ok.
Somebody was messing with it.

Plenty of youtube videos to take it apart.

[cjbruin]

Thanks. Yeah but the videos all start with it in the proper position.

[ar15barrels]

If I recall correctly, the american bolts have TWO cocking cams so they will go together backwards while most other bolts only have ONE cocking cam so it's much harder to put them together 180 degrees off.

Take it apart.
Put it back together the right way.

[ShaunBrady]

You should be able to grasp it firmly and spin it around.

This.

Viewed from the back, the cocking piece can be rotated in the clockwise direction. The shroud can be removed when the firing pin is just past the cocked position. You don't need to remove the shroud, but it'll be loose at that spot.

The sear will align with the lug that has the ejector in it when it's in the correct position to drop in the gun.

[ShaunBrady]

If I recall correctly, the american bolts have TWO cocking cams so they will go together backwards while most other bolts only have ONE cocking cam so it's much harder to put them together 180 degrees off.

Take it apart.
Put it back together the right way.

It doesn't need to come apart and there is nothing assembled backwards.

Most other bolts can't be recocked with just your hands.

[cjbruin]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3LSZ20tH89I

Here's a link to a brief video on how to fix it. It's simple and easy. You do need a bench vise.

Thank you. I don't have a bench vice but I'm sure someone I know does. Or I may try the vice grip way.

Much appreciated.

[ShaunBrady]

You also should not spin or twist it "all the way around". The forward part of the bolt needs to be pulled forward while the rear is held static (in a vise). Then the forward part is turned about half an inch and it's done. (There's a heavy spring inside the bolt, and you won't be able to do it with your manly hands). The guy in the video explains it. That gray lock piece protruding from the plastic shroud needs to be held while the stainless bolt is pulled forward, and turned. You need to do this to take it apart too, but disassembly isn't necessary.

The guy in that video is an idiot.

The cocking piece is pinned to the firing pin. You can't change the spring preload without removing the locking pin. I didn't get that from the internet. I just took mine apart and tested it.

I don't have much trouble rotating the cocking piece using the cocking ramps with just the bolt handle and bolt shroud for leverage. Pulling the cocking piece straight back and going the other direction serves no purpose.

[ShaunBrady]

The OP is a lost cause, so to keep the record straight in future searches:



From the Ruger American Manual.

Turn it clockwise all you want. Tools may be required to turn it but clamping on the cocking piece to retract it is an internet myth and a likely source of many billet cocking piece sales.

My Ruger American has been shot a few hundred times which burnishes the cocking piece and makes rotation easier. I'm able to rotate it with just the shroud, but my wife couldn't. She was able to rotate my RPR because the shroud is a better handle.

[cjbruin]

The OP is a lost cause, so to keep the record straight in future searches:

You seem nice. Merry Christmas.

[cjbruin]

Thanks for the kind words. I have an American Ranch, and a photo of my bolt is attached. I believe the mechanics are the same. I encountered the same problem, and the video is correct. You'll notice that the plastic shroud cannnot be removed in the current condition. Good luck. PS, I wouldn't use vise grips, because it will scar up the lock piece. It's going to take a bit of strength to push the bolt forward and turn at the same time. You'll make a mess with vise grips. Just don't do it. Carry your bolt into a hardware store that has a vise set up, and just do it. Takes about 5 seconds.

Hardware store. Great suggestion. Thanks!

[cjbruin]

Don't dismiss what Shaun is saying. I'm sure that locking piece will break. On page 20 & 21 of the owners manual, it says that it will take significant effort and possibly the use of hand tools or a gripping aid to correct this. It also says that the locking piece will only rotate clockwise. Now, if you watch the video, the guy secures the locking piece in the vise, and with the business end of the bolt facing directly away from him, he turns the bolt clockwise, while the locking piece stays static (held by the vise). I put on work gloves, and gave it a push and it gave slightly (it's not going to go very far forward). Then I gave it a minor twist. Done. Please keep us posted.

Thanks. Will do. My comment to Shaun is based on him saying I'm a lost cause. Maybe I misunderstood.

[ShaunBrady]

No, you understood. I thought the kind / Merry Christmas reply was well played.

Watching that idiot's video has brought Ruger American Bolt Handle videos into my YouTube feed. This one does a good job of demonstrating the cocking technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSC8KBtFDUM

I think he turns it more than needed to remove the bolt shroud, but it's probably because he doesn't think turning it is much trouble and that's the point I tried to make.

If we're all on the same page about rotating the cocking piece into the cocking ramps not just being OK, but Ruger's recommendation, and you can't turn it yourself or find anybody who can, mail it to me with return postage and I'll take care of it for you. PM me for an address and the names of a couple more frequent posters that'll tell you I'm for real.

Merry Christmas

[cjbruin]

No, you understood. I thought the kind / Merry Christmas reply was well played.

Watching that idiot's video has brought Ruger American Bolt Handle videos into my YouTube feed. This one does a good job of demonstrating the cocking technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSC8KBtFDUM

I think he turns it more than needed to remove the bolt shroud, but it's probably because he doesn't think turning it is much trouble and that's the point I tried to make.

If we're all on the same page about rotating the cocking piece into the cocking ramps not just being OK, but Ruger's recommendation, and you can't turn it yourself or find anybody who can, mail it to me with return postage and I'll take care of it for you. PM me for an address and the names of a couple more frequent posters that'll tell you I'm for real.

Merry Christmas

Just now checking back on this. Thanks for the offer to fix it. I'm good. Weapon is functioning properly. Appreciate everyone's help here.