Mosin problem

[Mr Enfield]

I have two M/N's. One is a 91/30 and the other a M38, I have a similar problem wilth both. They were purchased years apart and from different sources. Don't ask me about mfg, year etc I have no idea.

The problem is very evident in the M38 and somewhat in the 91/30, and it's this. From a cold rifle chambers fires, extracts no problem, but as it warms up from firing it gets very difficult to chamber another round. The first thing I thought was ammo, but I have tried all different types, brass case, steel case, bullet weights, mfgs doesn't make any difference they all do the same thing. It will still chamber and fire but extremely difficult to get that round in. It's like it swells with firing / heat. The M38 is really bad and starts doing this fairly quickly, the 91/30 takes awhile and is not quite as bad but does take some effort to close that bolt.

Since I don't know of anybody else around me with one, has anyone heard of this before? Any ideas? I have cleaned the snot out of both of them and they have very good bright bores.

[arkyboy]

Re: Mosin problem

A couple of areas to investigate. Make sure there is nothing under the extractor. It will have to be removed to be cleaned thouroughly. Next is the chamber. I know you say that you cleaned it, but the Russians love to use laquer coated ammo. That stuff will leave a film that begins to soften as it gets warm and starts to cause problems. It is very hard to see too since it is a clear laquer. It helps to heat the barrel and use a strong solvent to clean the chamber. I have shoved the chamber end of the barrel in boiling water to get them clean. Just be sure to oil it right away if you try that trick. While you're in there, check for a burr in the chamber. Mosins are notorious for chamber burrs caused by the bullet hitting the edge of the chamber on the way in. Make sure there are no burrs on the bolt face too.
arkyboy

[jefferson101]

Re: Mosin problem

Alternatively to sticking the chamber end in boiling water, some of us have been known to use a 20ga bore brush and some lacquer solvent. I did, in fact, once chuck the cleaning rod section that I had the bore brush on into a variable speed drill.

(It was a moderately used 20 ga brush, for the record. A new one might be a bit on the stiff side initially.) It tends to use the bore brush up pretty well, but you will have a clean chamber when you are done.

I'd additionally caution that one obviously removes the stock before starting in with the lacquer cleaner or other serious solvents that way. Unless you plan on refinishing the stock anyway, that is....

About seven times out of ten, it's gunk in the chamber, so that's the route I'd recommend, after checking closely for burrs. It's really hard to get some of that stuff out once it's set up really well. In fact, you may find yourself with some spare cosmoline coming out, too. I would have taken an oath there was none of that left, but I discovered otherwise on two occasions.

[gandog56]

Re: Mosin problem

Yep, sounds like the old "sticky bolt" problem. It was already stated if anybody ever shot lacquered rounds through the rifles the lacquer melts and starts gumming up the works. I do the old piece of cleaning rod set in my cordless drill with a 20 gauge wire brush. Dip the brush in a good bore cleaner, stick it in the chamber, and hit the drill button. You would be surprised at the gunk this can pull out.

[ShifterBits]

Re: Mosin problem

One of the many reasons I got rid of my mosins, including the 2 Finns I had.
I know, I know...heresy.

[jefferson101]

Re: Mosin problem

Just to note, if you think that's the problem, clean the chamber well first. (And I mean "well". My suggestion about a 20ga bore brush and some serious solvents is not meant lightly here.)

Then, go get some un-laquered 54r ammo. I hate to say it, but the one thing the Bulgarian stuff that I have several cans of is good for is that test. It is not coated.

If that extracts, you have a lacquer problem, or a gummy chamber problem, or whatever. Clean it well and you won't have the problem again for a good long time.

Just to add fuel to the fire, I'll note that the good Russian 54r is lacquered. It shoots like a dream, but it's not meant for the rifles. It's mostly MG ammo, so it will start making your chamber sticky. It gets hot enough to melt it, but not hot enough to melt it out.

That, and failure to clean the chamber well, have caused a lot of folks to get hinky about the Mosins. YMMV, but I've always had good success with doing a serious cleaning.



Side note to ShifterBits: I wish you would have told me you were selling the Finns. I didn't buy nearly enough of them.

[TheMrMitch]

Re: Mosin problem

More than once I have heard "carry a rubber hammer" when shooting the MNs more than a few times.

[gandog56]

Re: Mosin problem

My only Mosin problem is every time I see one for sale I want it.

I have 17 at this time.

[Mr Enfield]

Re: Mosin problem

I scrubbed the crap out of the chambers and the problem disappeared! Thanks Guys!

[Chief351]

Re: Mosin problem

I had a fired round get stuck in the chamber once on my hex-receiver converted dragoon. I tried driving it out with an old cleaning rod first - no luck. Went to the hardware store and bought a brass rod that was a close fit in the bore - still couldn't drive the stuck case out. I asked on a M-N forum what to do. I was told to do the following, and it worked like a charm.

Stand the rifle up on its butt with the barrel vertical. Remove the cleaning rod from under the barrel, and turn it over so that the little cylindrical knob goes in the barrel first. Lower the cleaning rod down the bore until it contacts the case. Pull it back out about a foot, then let it go. Ping! Pops the stuck right out!

And you thought that knob was just something to stick the cleaning rod handle through!

[kARL]

Re: Mosin problem

Thank you Chief 351 that is good to know
karl