Failure to feed in my Husqvarna M38

[Patrick Chadwick]

Of course, if one forces in the wrong cartridges, there will be problems...

However, if the cartridges are correct, then something is wrong with that rifle, and the following may help:

Correct feeding in a Swedish Mauser

This series of photos shows a Norma "Diamond Line" cartridge being fed into my Carl Gustav. There is no functional difference in this action between the m/96 and a m/96-38 or m/38 short rifle.

First of all, let us look at the closed system.
Attachment 23349

Like all of my rifles, this is a real working rifle, not a safe queen. The woodwork is dented and scratched from its service life, but I can assure you that the action is impeccable.

Now take a look at the open breech.

Attachment 23353

Observe the crown-marked follower. The wrong type of follower can affect feeding.
Please also observe the shape of the rim on the action body. Any dents or burrs on this edge will definitely affect feeding, and, judging by the photos of the "high-nose" feeding, damage to this rim is very likely the cause of the trouble. (The dark streak on the right is an oil smear!)

Take a look at the feed ramp. Note that the start of the ramp is BELOW the level of the follower.

Attachment 23346


A cartridge is now inserted. Note how it lies quite flat.

Attachment 23352

Now we start to close the bolt.

As the cartridge is pushed forwards by the bolt face, note that it does NOT rise up.
Attachment 23354

Note that the tip of the bullet is above the start of the feed ramp. If this is NOT the case, then you have discovered at least one cause of trouble.

The next photo is at the point where the bullet tip contacts the feed ramp.
Attachment 23351


Note that the cartridge is still within the magazine. The cartridge now starts to rise, whereby the rim comes up behind the extractor.
Attachment 23350

Note that the cartridge is NOT tilted up. But the nose moves over to the center line as the bullet enters the chamber.
Attachment 23348

Finally, the rim is completely in the bolt head and securely held by the extractor. The cartridge is now free of the magazine.
Attachment 23347
The bolt can now be pushed home and closed.

IMPORTANT OBSERVATION:
At NO stage is the front of the cartridge pushed up as shown in the photos of the problem rifle. If you follow this photo sequence and compare it with the problem rifle, if should be possible to identify the point where the cartridge is not moving correctly.

Patrick