Mark III bolt wont stay open after last shot

Retired in 2001 · Post by **Retired in 2001** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:53 pm

This is a new issue it started after.I bought VQ grips,they did not fit right.So I mailed them back to VQ.They mailed them back to me.They fit and looked great. (VQ) installed a bolt extender,But now the bolt does not stay open after the last shot.I so much love this little pistol.But some times its very frustrating the little problems with this thing.Also it happened with both magazines.

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:25 pm

Welcome to the forum!

The bolt stays open better if you loosen the left side grip screws. VQ grips are notorious for being tight on the bolt stop lever side. I've also had to deepen the cut-out in the button rivet channel on several pairs to alleviate dragging on the bolt rivet protrusion of the bolt stop assembly. See the below picture for more info.

In the picture, the channel is darker than the surrounding rubberized material because I used a rotary tool to shave the button rivet channel deeper to add some extra clearance for the rivet. Once the channel is deepened, the bolt will operate smoothly.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

Retired in 2001 · Post by **Retired in 2001** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:56 am

Thanks for the welcome.Have been lurking around.When I saw 2 new people on our range with Mark III.I emailed them your site.And you did it again.I removed a small amount of the grip.Pistol work great,and it didnt take much or effort.Thanks again
Aldo

garyrh · Post by **garyrh** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:47 am

Bullseye I think your fix does make the bolt lock back but if you have the grips off and pull back the bolt you will not here the bolt release click like it does with the grips off the gun. If you cut the notch in the VQ grips like there is in the factory grips above the top grip screw it will release fully and you will here it click like with the factory grips.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:05 pm

Usually big problems just take a little fixing. The VQ rubberized grips tend to crush down against the frame when the screws are tightened and that reduces the clearance in the bolt hold-open channel. Shaving off some of the material under the grip pannel, in the cut-out, allows for the rivet to move freely.

R,
Bullseye

garyrh · Post by **garyrh** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:22 pm

Mine was also rubbing at the top of the grip screw and had to cut a slot in it also like the factory grip. Did you look at the factory grip panel to see what I was talking about?

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:19 pm

Good point, I wasn't disagreeing with you gary, I was just trying to address the button rivet channel. Relaxing the upper screw tension usually provides the clearance for the bolt stop lever channel with a Volthane grip

VQ grips are semi malleable and can have other clearance issues too. The factory grips are hollow underneath, at least the plastic ones are, and have plenty of room for bolt hold-open components. The VQ volthane grips have another, shallower, channel cut where the bolt stop lever travels back to the hammer pivot pin. This channel is directly above the upper grip screw and can be distorted by tightening the screw too tight. The lever channel can also be made deeper using a rotary tool and providing extra clearance for the bolt stop components. This channel is shown in the picture I posted earlier, just to the left of the button rivet channel.

R,
Bullseye