Bolt on Mark III

frank · Post by **frank** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:48 pm

The bolt on my Mark III has taken to NOT staying open after the last shot. Do I have a problem?

Post by **Bullseye** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:41 pm

You might have a problem if you're using HV ammo and the timing is off. It could be one of three things. The magazine follower button is sticking and not lifting up soon enough to catch the bolt when it is fully rearward. The bolt stop is dirty or has some gummed up shipping preservative behind it and is not raising up in time to catch the bolt. The bolt stop has been released by depressing the lever many times and may be slightly rounded instead of flat.

Check the magazine by sliding the follower button up and down the track. It should move smooth not feel gritty. If this is the case disassemble the mag and check the button and button track for wear or burrs.

If the bolt stop lever is not raising up in time then disassemble the pistol via detail strip and give the entire frame a good cleaning to remove the old shipping preservative. Reassemble and check for bolt stop timing via function firing.

If the bolt stop is rounded you can carefully flatten it with a stone or a file.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

frank · Post by **frank** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:05 pm

Got it Bullseye! There was just the slightest burr on the corner. I cleaned it up and took off the burr with a fine stone. Seems like the steel on this part should be harder?

Anyway, thanks for your help.

cadillo · Post by **cadillo** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:42 am

Bullseye wrote:You might have a problem if you're using HV ammo and the timing is off. It could be one of three things. The magazine follower button is sticking and not lifting up soon enough to catch the bolt when it is fully rearward. The bolt stop is dirty or has some gummed up shipping preservative behind it and is not raising up in time to catch the bolt. The bolt stop has been released by depressing the lever many times and may be slightly rounded instead of flat.

Check the magazine by sliding the follower button up and down the track. It should move smooth not feel gritty. If this is the case disassemble the mag and check the button and button track for wear or burrs.

If the bolt stop lever is not raising up in time then disassemble the pistol via detail strip and give the entire frame a good cleaning to remove the old shipping preservative. Reassemble and check for bolt stop timing via function firing.

If the bolt stop is rounded you can carefully flatten it with a stone or a file.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

I was begining to have the same problem with my Mark II after many years. I took it apart and saw that the bolt stop was just fine, but that continually using the bolt stop to chamber had rounded off the bearing surface on the bolt. I squared it up as best I could with a small file, and it looks like it will work for a while, but if the bolt ever had any surface heat treatment it's now worn through.

How did Ruger make a stamped part like a bolt stop so much harder than the bolt?