Opinions on a 1941 Johnson Rifle

[emmagee1917]

I will likely get it next week.

Only if you tell her you bought it.
Chris

[Beginner]

Oh man, got the rifle today and it is just an awesome piece of machinery. Pretty banged up but internals in good shape minus barrel, original barrel (I think) and all-in-all awesome in every way.

However, I cannot get the bolt catch to hold open the bolt. I tried to disassemble the rifle and study each part but I simply could not figure out why it doesn't catch the bolt. It might be that the "thingy" in the magazine that is supposed to raise the bolt catch simply does not activate the lever arm. Any clues? I can probably take (bad) pictures of any parts/details you need, so please let me know what to look for.


P.s You know how you know your wife-to-be is The One? When she sees an expensive rifle a month before the wedding and says: "That one is really nice! What is the difference to the other rifles you have" without a hint of sarcasm. I mostly have garands and carbines.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I hope you didn't tell her, "The difference is about Two Grand"

Please, take photos of anything you think might be associated with your problem, and close-up photos all over the gun. It's been a long time since anyone posted a photo of a Johnson.

[Beginner]

I hope you didn't tell her, "The difference is about Two Grand"

Please, take photos of anything you think might be associated with your problem, and close-up photos all over the gun. It's been a long time since anyone posted a photo of a Johnson.

Haha, no, in fact the rifle was only just about a grand more expensive than the average Garand here... They are pretty expensive.
And I will try to take pictures tomorrow, but I have to warn you up front: my camera is no capable of taking good pictures. But I will post pictures.
Related to the bolt catch issue: I cannot figure out why the bolt catch does not work. None of the parts seem worn out, and everyting seems to be in place. But I will investigate

[jmoore]

Dodgy hold-opens aren't uncommon. The "thingy" (follower) needs minimal fore and aft play AND good spring tension. Some rifles had no catch at all, but you indicate yours does.

My example works only on occasion, but can be made to work manually usually by pulling the bolt to the rear twice with some vigor.

Can't recommend sticking your finger into the loading port, as it may over-stress the gate spring, but if the magazine is out, see if there is a lot of fore and aft play of the follower on it's spindle. It may benefit from adding a small spacer at the front of the follower.

[emmagee1917]

The Johnson was made without a bolt hold open . Melvin felt that the ability to top off the mag with a stripper of ammo anytime there was a pause made a hold open obsolete. The military disagreed , so he added one. The holdopen is a separate piece that is loosely held in place by the trigger guard assembly and lies under the bolt. Check to see if it's still there. If not , the bolt will not stay back. That's all it does , and if it's missing the rifle will function fine and safely without it.
See part 72X and see if you have it. http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/Schematics.htm
Chris

[Beginner]

The Johnson was made without a bolt hold open . Melvin felt that the ability to top off the mag with a stripper of ammo anytime there was a pause made a hold open obsolete. The military disagreed , so he added one. The holdopen is a separate piece that is loosely held in place by the trigger guard assembly and lies under the bolt. Check to see if it's still there. If not , the bolt will not stay back. That's all it does , and if it's missing the rifle will function fine and safely without it.
See part 72X and see if you have it. http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/Schematics.htm
Chris

Yes, the part is definately there, and doesn't seem to be broken or too worn... According to another forum the catch is not very reliable and can be a bit "dodgy". I'll get pics this weekend, maybe they'll help

[emmagee1917]

Well , if it's there and staying in place when assembled , it should work , it's just a see-saw thing. When putting the front and rear halves together , you are depressing the loading gate in a bit so the follower *** is aligned into place right before they come together , right?
Chris


Ha-ha , it won't let me say *** .... ok , how about nub , will it allow that ?

[jmoore]

SHOULD and DOES don't always go together. I've seen this issue on three or four others, in addition to mine. I had the rifle apart too many times to count trying to resolve the problem without making mods or endangering parts and finally just "let it go". It's good otherwise, except for a low POI per the sight setting.

The loading gate spring DID defeat me- after having two fail, it now has coil springs instead of a contoured flat spring. (I think I kept a spare.)

[Beginner]

Just adding a few pics here. The Garand is a Winchester, unfortunately someone sanded it in the past.


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