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Fix for Bolt Play/Head Popping Off Rail

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WilliamS View Drop Down
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    Posted: June 24 2021 at 7:36pm
I have a customer's No1 MkIII* here which has extremely excessive bolt play, and the bolt head can be easily released from the track at any point. The only mention I can find for either of these issues is in the Instructions for Armourers which simply says to check to see if the bolt head comes off the track but offers no corrective action. I suspect the answer is to condemn the action body, but does anyone happen to know of an official fix for these problems?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 24 2021 at 7:52pm
a new boly head will most likely fix it but now you have to find the proper bolt head , that might take a little time but can be done , if the raceway is buggered i cannot think what you might do , 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WilliamS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 24 2021 at 7:59pm
I think the problem is in the raceway, the bolt head is an essentially brand new late Lithgow head, and I've tried several of my spares as well. The bolt can shift so much in the raceway it angles off center by a good ten degrees or more which provides plenty of clearance for the bolt head to jump the track.

It's a mess of a rifle: Ishapore barreled action, DP nosecap and trigger guard, NOS Lithgow magazine, battered and split Lithgow forend, and an H&H No4T butt without the cheekpiece!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 25 2021 at 3:39am
The action body may be excessively worn. But before you condemn the body, measure the bolt diameter, or try a different bolt.  
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Zed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 25 2021 at 10:51am
Sounds like it's junk! If there's that much play in the bolt channel; the trigger pull off will be unreliable as well due to the slop in the bolt. Could even have an accidental discharge if the cocking piece can slip over the sear. Test it with and empty chamber; cock the rifle and see if pulling the cocking piece upwards will cause it to fire.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WilliamS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 25 2021 at 12:34pm
The old bolt measures 0.574" to 0.576", and my new bolt bodies measure 0.580" to 0.582". Unfortunately, even with a new bolt body and bolt head, the head will still pop off the track with minimal force. Somehow despite a massive amount of play, it does not lift off the sear when cocked. I have seen the occasional mention of oversized bolt bodies but doubt I could obtain one for anything approaching a reasonable price, if any still exist.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pisco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2021 at 12:58am
as a last resort get the bolt head length you need and build up the bit of the bolt that slides on the body rail I have never done it but have come across one do it right and you won’t notice
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2021 at 6:18am
WilliamS; if this is a client's rifle; then I don't think taking a risk is worthwhile. 
You never know what a client will do with it, or who they'll sell it to. 
Basically, if you have a doubt about the safety; it's a wall hanger!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2021 at 7:43pm
i agree , these days not worth a chance it will come back to haunt you , 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WilliamS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2021 at 8:29pm
Zed, Asquare10, that's about where I'm at on this one. I'm going to keep the laser welding idea in mind for my own rifles but I was mostly looking for an official fix as far as customer firearms go. It's getting red tagged and condemned.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2021 at 10:44pm
You'll sleep better knowing it's not being used!Thumbs Up
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