Ross MkIII / M10 Bolt Issue

Hello fellow Ross rifle owners. I recently acquired a Ross MkIII for my First World War infantry rifle collection. The rifle is turning out to have a number of issues that must be addressed before I can shoot the rifle and getting it disassembled for inspection is proving to be difficult. I have followed the proper disassembly procedure for the bolt, removing the extractor, cocking piece, and even safety lever+detent but when I then try to remove the bolt from the bolt sleeve an issue arises. The bolt will come to its fully-extended position as when normally assembled, but will not come out any further, so I am unable to fully remove it from the sleeve. From the videos I have watched it should just continue to unscrew as it comes out of the forward end of the bolt sleeve, but instead it seems to reach a hard stop. It can rotate about 5° at that most extended position, but does not perform any forward or rearward motion when doing so. This bolt sleeve does not have the rivet installed, and the rifle was probably one used for police/drill duties in India. The previous owner claimed to have shot it and that it had no mechanical issues.

Thoughts?

Pics might help us see what's happening, maybe we're missing something?

This is as far as the bolt will extend from the sleeve. From what I have observed in videos it should just continue to unscrew but it just stops.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../B6g9a05-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../ej8aR9r-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../mNCY6dH-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../gNJHS3k-1.jpg

Is it pinned? Sometimes it is hard to see.

I see no evidence of the rivet, and I was under the impression that it would merely inhibit incorrect re-assembly and does not prevent the bolt being stripped.

The rivet, which is clearly visible when present, does not prevent disassembly, but it does somewhat complicate both disassembly and reassembly. I see no rivet on this bolt.
It has been a while since I last disassembled a Mk III bolt but, as I recall, the bolt head does not come out in one simple continuous rotation. I seem to remember it rotating out part way and then rotating slightly before rotating out the rest of the way. I always find it to be a bit of a fiddly process.

Keep fiddling with it and you'll get it. Probably there are burrs on the internal interrupted threads that are catching. Once you get it apart take a close look and remove those with needle files if you wish?

I would agree with the suggestion to keep fiddling with it. I have noticed with mine that some are more easier than others to disassemble/reassemble the bolt sleeve.

I got a sporterized rifle out that is pinned. The bolt came apart easily. I did notice that on the threaded part of the bolt head that there is a small drill spot in the same location where the pin is right next to a thread.

FWIW,
Steve

Thank you all for the advice, but unfortunately no developments. I have tried fiddling with it for literally hours now. Also tried cooling the bolt and sleeve assembly in the freezer, then heating the bolt sleeve with warm water to see if it can expand far enough to clear whatever is making contact on the inside. Blasted compressed air down first one end of the sleeve, then the other, to try and dislodge any loose particles or metal fragments. Soaked it overnight in break free and sprayed it out again. Bolt still stops in the same extended position, with about 5° clockwise rotation and ~15° counterclockwise rotation possible but no forward progress.

Try something lighter than CLP to dissolve the crud. I use Ed's Red for most stuff and works well. Kerosene, ATF or Kroil may work. It may take some good pul to get it apart.

Have you not been able to remove the firing pin and spring?

Is the firing pin and spring supposed to be removed before being able to remove the bolt from the sleeve? The Ross Mk.III handbook I downloaded has the bolt being removed from the bolt sleeve before the mainspring is removed from the bolt/firing pin assembly.

The firing pin and spring remain in until the bolt head is removed.

The bolt head should be moved around before it is fully extended.

There should be a spot where the bolt head comes right out of the body as you twist slightly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stomper

Is the firing pin and spring supposed to be removed before being able to remove the bolt from the sleeve? The Ross Mk.III handbook I downloaded has the bolt being removed from the bolt sleeve before the mainspring is removed from the bolt/firing pin assembly.

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Belay that -was nodding off or something! :D

Since I have a bolt near at hand this time I just took it down and yes, it all comes back: there is a collar that threads into the bolt head body and retains the pin and spring.

Bit of a b-----r to get out that collar; reminds me I had plans to bore out a screwdriver with a thick shank and slot the end to fit the collar - that or use a piece of DOM tube.

The bolt head will turn 180° as you remove it from the bolt body; even this one was a bit of a fiddle to get out the first time.