Very hard to release 10/22 bolt after loading magazine

[jemfinch]

I've had this problem a couple times at the range: I load up the magazine with 10 rounds, slap it in, then try to release the bolt and end having to jiggle it for a minute or more before it will release.

This is on a fairly new 10/22 takedown, probably 100-200 rounds down the pipe.

[Jeff213]

google the auto bolt release mod for 10/22. you can do it with a dremel tool in a few minutes.

[Occams Rasor]

google the auto bolt release mod for 10/22. you can do it with a dremel tool in a few minutes.

Yep, this is a must have mod. If you do not have a dremel, a small file will work also. Just takes a little longer.

[RawHP]

Although the auto bolt release mod is nice, it may not solve your problem. I did the mod many many years ago and never had an issue with the stuck bolt until recently, when I traded out my plastic extended mag release with a cast aluminum one. It feels less flexy and sturdier, so all seemed good, but the auto bolt release stopped working once in a while, and I also started having the annoying stuck bolt issue a few times each range trip.

Anyway, thanks for the reminder, because I forgot about trying to diagnose it until the morning. The rifle is back together now, and problem is gone. Here's what I found and what i did about it. It may not cure your issue, but might give you some places to look:

First, the problem area. On my rifle, the problem was the area where the bolt stop and the magazine release come together in the first pic below. To access those parts, I removed the trigger group and the two pins in pic 2 and 3. No need to take the other pins out unless you are familiar with the trigger group, or it will take a lot longer to get it all back together. The 2 pins allow you to take out the mag release and bolt stop. If you're planning on doing the auto bolt release mod, you'll need to take out these 2 pins anyway. The fourth pic is the another view of the problem area. Friction, or casting roughness in this area keeps the bolt stop from moving as easily as it should. Note that any burs on sides of the bolt stop can also impede movement, so i you feel any, you should lightly file or sand them smooth.




This pic shows the corner of the bolt stop that was touching/rubbing the mag release. I lightly filed this corner and smoothed it with some fine sand paper.




This pic shows the area on the mag release where the aluminum casting was rough and rubbing against the bolt stop. I filed this down to a smooth surface. I didn't bother polishing it with sand paper because it looked smooth enough afterwards using my fine file.



I reassembled and tested several times and all of the binding is gone and the auto bolt release is functioning smoothly. One way to check if this is the problem before dis-assembly would be to lock the bolt back, and slightly press the mag release so that it is definitely not in contact with the bolt stop and try releasing the bolt normally. You might have to contort your fingers a little to do this, but this will tell you if you have friction between the two areas if the bolt releases. Good Luck!

[pdoggeth]

If you don't want to mess with a dremel or file, they do also sell an auto bolt release for about $16. I got one of those, installation was a snap, and I couldn't be happier.

http://www.amazon.com/Volquartsen-Custom-Automatic-Release-Black/dp/B0029M0U66

[RawHP]

If you don't want to mess with a dremel or file, they do also sell an auto bolt release for about $16. I got one of those, installation was a snap, and I couldn't be happier.

http://www.amazon.com/Volquartsen-Cu.../dp/B0029M0U66

If you go that route, the Kidd version on Amazon is cheaper, for $14. It has zero bad reviews out of almost three times as many ratings. Not as many holes though, if that's supposed to do something.

http://www.amazon.com/Kidd-Auto-Bolt-Release-Ruger%C2%AE/dp/B00C6KVAR4/ref=pd_sim_200_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=01AX4TDQCES5ZHP8PRX9

[ojisan]

With an auto bolt release installed, just a bump to the receiver can release the bolt.
When using the auto release on a Takedown, hold the receiver so the bolt is held back by your hand or fingers when installing or taking off the barrel.

[FiremanBob]

Prescription before diagnosis is malpractice.

Do you have any issues releasing the bolt when there is not a magazine installed? If you have the same problems, the issue is your technique of releasing the bolt. This video will solve that problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwn3t7nS9gY

If it is only a problem when the magazine is installed, look at RawHP's post carefully and see if you have a similar problem. If that isn't it, then please post again with more details of when/how the problem occurs.