Is it safe to fire?

[MockTheRavens]

So I recently took apart my Mosin Nagant bolt, cleaned it up, oiled, put it back together, checked the firing pin protrusion and re-installed it. Cycled it a few times. Felt perfect. So I loaded in a spent round into the barrel and 'attempted' to cycle the bolt. It went about halfway before I felt tension. With very little extra force. It locked in place. I opened the bolt and ejected the casing. Comparing this casing to the other 34 I had fired. The primer was forced a small amount into the casing.

So I ask...

Did me cleaning the bolt set an incorrect head space?
Do I need to have a gunsmith check it out first?
Is it safe to fire/cycle a live round?
or
Did this happen because I'm cycling a spent round?

[00BuckShot]

Your initial tension was probably from the case being out of form. When you fire them the first time the can and do expand. You sure the primer hadn't seated a little further in when it was initially fired? I'd try cycling another spent shell. Sometimes a protruding primer can be seated further when closing the bolt but I don't think it would push it past flush. No firing pin protrusion?

[Milsurp Collector]

Did me cleaning the bolt set an incorrect head space?

No.

Did this happen because I'm cycling a spent round?

Yes. The brass case expanded when you fired the round, so it will be a tighter fit than an unfired brass case. One of the steps of reloading ammo is to resize the brass case back to a normal size that feeds easily.

But do not chamber a live round anywhere except where you will be shooting. If you want to test and cycle your action at home, use dummy rounds. You can buy them or if you know someone who reloads 7.62x54R they can make some for you.

[jamesob]

it's fine. the fired case is formed from firing it. the primer will be pushed in after dry firing it because the pressure from firing it the first keeped the primer from pushing in.

[MockTheRavens]

it's fine. the fired case is formed from firing it. the primer will be pushed in after dry firing it because the pressure from firing it the first keeped the primer from pushing in.

Yes. The brass case expanded when you fired the round, so it will be a tighter fit than an unfired brass case. One of the steps of reloading ammo is to resize the brass case back to a normal size that feeds easily.

Ah, makes perfect sense.

Your initial tension was probably from the case being out of form. When you fire them the first time the can and do expand. You sure the primer hadn't seated a little further in when it was initially fired? I'd try cycling another spent shell. Sometimes a protruding primer can be seated further when closing the bolt but I don't think it would push it past flush. No firing pin protrusion?

Thanks for the input and correct no firing pin protrusion. Under 95 but slightly over 75.

But do not chamber a live round anywhere except where you will be shooting. If you want to test and cycle your action at home, use dummy rounds. You can buy them or if you know someone who reloads 7.62x54R they can make some for you.

Yeah definitely. Safety first. Kinda why I wrote this thing. I had read a couple articles on firing pin protrusion and incorrect head space. Scared me into double, and triple checking.

Once again, thanks gentlemen.

[run8]

Doesn't hurt to invest in a set of the snap caps in 7.62x54r

[jonni]

Doesn't hurt to invest in a set of the snap caps in 7.62x54r

this

especially seeing how this is your first rifle right OP?

[Mr Wizard]

I'm not trying to hijack the OP thread, but I have a similar question. I have an M44 that the firing pin won't hit the primer hard enough to fire the round. It functioned fine when I first got it, but now it will misfire 2 out of three times. At first I thought it was the surplus ammo I was using but the same cartridges will fire in my other Mosin's just fine. Any suggestions?

Thanks for allowing me to jump in.

[jamesob]

I'm not trying to hijack the OP thread, but I have a similar question. I have an M44 that the firing pin won't hit the primer hard enough to fire the round. It functioned fine when I first got it, but now it will misfire 2 out of three times. At first I thought it was the surplus ammo I was using but the same cartridges will fire in my other Mosin's just fine. Any suggestions?

Thanks for allowing me to jump in.

take your firing pin where it is out a little further and see what it does.

[0321jarhead]

take your firing pin where it is out a little further and see what it does.

And did you ever dis-assemble the bolt? Cosmoline...a mess.

[five.five-six]

just keep aneue on the spemt brass next time you shoot. look for splits and buldges

[stix213]

Maybe try using some spent steel cases instead of brass? The Bear or Wolf ammo for example. Its my understanding they do not deform to the same degree when fired.

[Mr Wizard]

And did you ever dis-assemble the bolt? Cosmoline...a mess.

Yes, I did disassemble and cleaned some minor crud out, but it didn't seem to make a difference.
I even switched bolts from anther M44 and got the same results.
The confusing part is that it doesn't happen every time. I can usually get one or two rounds off before the misfire.

Again, apologies to the OP for jumping in.

[Seesm]

So I recently took apart my Mosin Nagant bolt, cleaned it up, oiled, put it back together, checked the firing pin protrusion and re-installed it. Cycled it a few times. Felt perfect. So I loaded in a spent round into the barrel and 'attempted' to cycle the bolt. It went about halfway before I felt tension. With very little extra force. It locked in place. I opened the bolt and ejected the casing. Comparing this casing to the other 34 I had fired. The primer was forced a small amount into the casing.

So I ask...

Did me cleaning the bolt set an incorrect head space?
Do I need to have a gunsmith check it out first?
Is it safe to fire/cycle a live round?
or
Did this happen because I'm cycling a spent round?

55 post and BAM banned.... I think when I got banned it was around 75 or so...

[MockTheRavens]

Lol a little off topic no?