Help! cannot extract spent casing

[m14msgt]

Took my M1917 to the range today for the first time. Loaded five .30-06 rounds (Greek CMP surplus) and fired one downrange. Then, couldn't retract bolt to eject spent case and chamber next round. Can not understand this. Please help!

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

not ejecting or not extracting???

[Patrick Chadwick]

m14msgt, if you cannot even lift the bolt handle into the release position, then you really have a problem.

If you can at least lift the bolt handle to the release position, and your problem is that you cannot pull the bolt back, then proceed as follows:

Do not try whacking the bolt to open it. You might damage the extractor. Obtain a 3ft/meter length of brass (not steel) rod of somethng like 6mm or 1/4" diameter, and feed it down the muzzle so that the end is inside the spent case, resting on the base of the cartridge case. The end of the rod should be lightly chamfered, or at least deburred, so that it does not catch on the case mouth.

Hold the rifle vertical, with the butt on a hard surface (block of wood, to avoid marking the buttplate). Lift the rod a few centimeters and drop it. The rod hitting the base of the case will give it a shock and should unstick it. If necessary, you can lift the rod more and flick it down hard with your hand, so it provides a greater impact.

This method has worked for me on a friend's Enfield with a suspect chamber, and also unstuck a 458 bullet that had plugged my Long-Range Sharps (a faulty commercial load, no less!) so I think it is worth trying with the M1917. The worst that can happen is that the case head becomes detached, and you have to remove the remains. But you should at least get the bolt free without any risk of damage to the rifle.

Good luck!

Patrick

[m14msgt]

i can lift the bolt handle. Not extracting (sorry). what would cause this so I don't repeat this hassle?

[Chuckindenver]

safety must be off on a 1917 to work the bolt,
may have headspace issues...or dirty chamber.
hard to say unless i have the rifle in my hands.

[Chuckindenver]

if your extractor is worn or broken, that would leave the case behind.
send me some pics of the bolt face with extractor.
molinenorski@msn.com

[m14msgt]

chuck - you will have it as soon as I get the $$. i emailed you from my work email last week (Randy Wells).

can't get a pic of bolt face, because I cannot retract the bolt from chamber.

[Chuckindenver]

you can reach me at 720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours, i can walk you through how to get it open.

[m14msgt]

roger that...

[xroads]

roger that...

several years ago, 2-3 i think, the CMP issued greek surplus 30/06 ammo for the garand and springfield/vintage matches. while the m1's worked ok w/it, there were problems galore w/bolt guns, having much the same problem as you did. the ammo was just too hot for the bolt guns. the cases were sticking in the chambers. armorers were dropping cleaning rods down the bores and pounding on them w/hammers to get the cases free. not a good day for the shooters of 1903s and 1017s. my 1903a3 worked ok w/the ammo though.