Tweet
When I picked up a Type 99, my friend, who has his grandpa's bringback, showed me how easy the bolt comes apart and it just floored me -- twist, 2 seconds, there you have all five parts (or is that counting the extractor, which takes another couple of seconds to take off?). No special tools, no fuss, incredibly easy.
So why does nobody else make bolts like that? It's based on a Mauser to some extent (one vent hole instead of two, other minor differences) but my recollection is that the Mauser bolt requires some special tool, as do all the others I know of (which isn't that many).
Are there disadvantages from being so easy to take apart? Does it make the firing pin heavier, require a heavier spring ...? I have noticed it is the only bolt action I have where the bolt can't be cycled forward with the trigger held back to reduce spring tension and the bolt can't be turned just a tad to hold it in place.
It sure seems like a good feature for a battle rifle. Any dirt in the way, pop it open, shake it out or wash it out, back together, the whole thing done in 15 seconds with little danger of losing small parts.
So why does nobody else make bolts like that? It's based on a Mauser to some extent (one vent hole instead of two, other minor differences) but my recollection is that the Mauser bolt requires some special tool, as do all the others I know of (which isn't that many).
Are there disadvantages from being so easy to take apart? Does it make the firing pin heavier, require a heavier spring ...? I have noticed it is the only bolt action I have where the bolt can't be cycled forward with the trigger held back to reduce spring tension and the bolt can't be turned just a tad to hold it in place.
It sure seems like a good feature for a battle rifle. Any dirt in the way, pop it open, shake it out or wash it out, back together, the whole thing done in 15 seconds with little danger of losing small parts.
Comment