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Hello,
I have a sporterized Remington 1903A3. I disassembled the bolt for cleaning (have done this before w/no problems), when I reassembled the bolt was almost impossible to cock. I had to pull the the firing pin back in order to cock the bolt. With it engaged it worked fine. Thought it may be a bad spring so that was replaced. Same problem, any suggestions?
Thanks,
Dale
Hard to tell. Here's a video to watch to make sure you didn't forget something. This link is to the re-assembly video. Same guy has one on dis-assembly.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48wNQ...eature=related
Mike,
Thanks for the clip, but I've already checked it out. That's were my confusion comes from, it's a simple reassembly- only took out firing pin, spring, and safety (beuller). Disassembled/reassembled several times. It's like there is too much tension on the spring???
Is there any wear to the bolt sleeve where the cocking piece contacts? Maybe the bolt is binding the receiver somehow? How are the bolt lugs? Do you have another bolt to try? Maybe another bolt could narrow it down?
Outdoornut,
You didn't by any chance install the striker sleeve upside down, barrel side goes over the bottom of the striker.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/1903/bol...mble/index.asp
D. :cheers:
There isn't abnormal wear. It was working- took it apart to clean and the stress on the bolt was amazing. I have to pull the striker to work the bolt.
I will check the collar again-I'm at work right now, but am 99% sure the knurled end is down as in the pic (thanks Dad). I actuall cut the spring in 1/2 to make it work. That is why I thought it was a bad spring. When I replaced it- same problem. This really seems like a reassembly problem but it's so straight forward I can't see what could be wrong. The only thing I didn't do is when the bolt was replaced I move the cut off switch to 'on' instead of 'off'. I am truly stumped on this 1????
ODN, if you had to cut the mainspring in half to get the bolt back together it sounds like the firing pin wasn't all the way forward. Note: in the video clip, at the start of reassembly, the narrator flips the safety to the fire position and inserts the firing pin in the bolt sleeve. The knurled knob of the cocking piece is almost touching the back of the bolt sleeve. If, in your case it is sticking out say an inch or so then something is preventing the firing pin from going in all the way. I suspect it might be the Buehler safety.
If you have a GI safety around try reassembling the bolt with the GI safety in place.
Good luck!
Regards,
Jim
I've tried it w/out the safety and still under alot of tension. It has to be the wrong spring. I've ordered another spring from GPC and the original safety. Hopefully that will do the trick. I:banghead:
Do you have another bolt to try?
When reassembling the bolt;
First. Move safety to "FIRE" and insert firing pin into bolt sleeve.
Second, slide mainspring onto firing pin.
Third, Press cocking knob against table and compress mainspring using the striker retainer.
Fourth, slide the striker onto the firing pin.
Fifth, Let the mainspring come forward slighly. the larger, cupped end of the retainer will lock the striker.
Sixth, Grasp the assembled firing pin in your left hand pull back the cocking knob with your right and use thumb to flip the safety lever to 12' oclock.
Seventh, Screw the assembled firng pin inot the bolt.. depress the bolt sleeve lock and turn bolt sleeve until it clicks.
That should do it. From reading your description I was wondering if you perhaps were installing the mainspring BEFORE inserting the FP in the Bolt Sleeve???
The only otherthing possibly worth checking is to make sure the FP slides easily backand forth in the bolt sleeve. Any binding may indicatea bent firing pin. i would discount dirt or corrosian if you just cleaned the parts.
Let us know how you make out.
Regards,
Jim
post a picture of the parts in question, standard answers arent usually the case with sporterized rifles.
somone could have modified parts, or replaced them with non GI..
I've gone over this step by step and still stumped. It has to be the spring. I have the bueller safety- which I've also removed in case that was causing an issue. As soon as the spring is put on(followed all guides/vids/directions) it is under so much tension, I can't pull pack by hand without considerable force. I've purchased a new spring and original safety from Numirichs's, hopefully they will be at home tonight and we shall see. :banghead:
I will post pics later. Thanks all!
I've attached a pic w/safety removed.
Dang! so much for my theory! it looks like you have it back together right or you will once you install the safety. Chuck's idea is a good one though. If you can't get it working close ups of each component might be in order.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outdoornut
I counted the coils on my Remington mainspring and FWIW there were 32.
Regards,
Jim
Now you see my frustration. The only thing that makes sence is the spring, but I don't understand why the 1st spring had issues. The pic is w/new spring. There is so much tension that I can't pull the striker with out significant force. Hopefully another spring will be here tomorrow w/ the 3 position safety. All the parts seem to be in good shape. Thanks all for the advice!
ODN You are probably right about the spring but the part that bothers me is that you said the rifle seemed to be ok before diassembly.
A couple more possibilites:
Is the trigger a GI or an aftermarket (Timney etc.)?
During Reassembly di you tighten the guard Screws, especially the rear screw.? If the the screw is a little over length it might be interfering with the firing pin extension.
Regards,
Jim
spring pictured is a 1917 spring, and not a 1903 spring...find a correct spring, and your in bus.
the Bueller type safetys wont assemble in the same way a military safey will.
FYI: the springs you get from Sarco and Gunparts are not GI...contact Bill Ricca, he will have a real GI spring.