Post mortum LE bolt failure...

[303Guy]

You got me there! I have no reason to disbelieve the fellow but no, I am not absolutely sure. He does present as a straight talking guy. I'll keep looking for verifiable evidence. Anyway, he said the striker shaft broke off behind the collar. I asked and he didn't answer so I don't feel free to quote him.

By the way, it is comforting that you armourers have not heard or seen this sort of thing before. My first thoughts when I hear about this sort of thing are, "oh heck, could this happen to me?"

But here's a thought; if a primer ruptures at 48,000 CUP, the force acting on the striker could be as high as half a ton (as unlikely as that may be). Thinking about it, if high pressure builds up inside the bolt, the striker could be driven back quite fast providing a hammer effect when it reaches the end of it's travel. And we all know what shock loads can do to hard steel. Ever had a chisel fracture and drive a shard into your ribs? I haven't, thankfully but know of a few instances.

[Peter Laidler]

You are right OldPaul - so far as it goes, but I am considering the theory in this instance whereby it is alleged that the volume/pressure of gas that could vent back through the two fire holes of the main 'explosive' chamber of the cartridge, back into the primer chamber and THEN back through the pierced primer cap into the bolt and....... and....... When we already know that the vol. of gas generated by the primer might cause a re-cock. But we're talking about a volume of gas that drives the striker rearwards out of the bolt and all that that entails.

Look 303Guy, this ain't not going to happen, believe me!

[5thBatt]

Don't know why i bother replying to these threads as i just collect the bloody things but (& most probably a stupid question but please humor me) if there was enough pressure forced back under normal firing conditions that could violently force a cocking piece backwards though a pierced primer would you not expect a percussion cap to be blown off & hammer thrown back (or does this actually happen) every time you fired the likes of a old percussion Enfield??

[bigduke6]

Don't know why i bother replying to these threads as i just collect the bloody things

If we didnt reply I think it would be a boring forum....

[tbonesmith]

The best thing about this forum is the level of factual information about the specific firearms we discuss, collect and use. The problem with threads like this is the level of speculation and opinion that may be half correct, unclear or untrue.

I don't want to see too much unsubstantiated opinion, or vague descriptions of circumstances that may confuse facts or confuse newcomers.

By all means discuss what you want, but this is getting pointless, and I will close it soon if it continues like this.

Cheers

Tom

[Frederick303]

I live in the area where the famous Glenn D. blow up occured. One should not speak ill of the dead, but he made a number of very basic mistakes. That lead to his death.

The most significant was the use of modified cases (from 6.5 carcano), where he had removed material from the head of the case, use of pistol powders with heavy bullets in a case hardened receiver.