Lapping the Locking Lugs

[futureusmc100]

will this fix the rifle if the bolt is hard to open and close?

[148scalemodeling]

@futureusmc100 what rifle?

[futureusmc100]

@148scalemodeling rem. 700

[GeneralG1810]

@futureusmc100 I know this reply is late but there could be a few reasons for that. If your reloading your own ammo you could have the projectile too close to the lands, or perhaps all your bolt needs is a good dismantle and lube, if theres surface rust get some fine emery like 800 grit or higher to remove it. If its still hard take it to a gunsmith theres obviously a bigger issue

[Mack488]

It doesnt say Mauser actions are harder than shit, it took me over an hour to do mine.

[FOXnewsAlien]

what is with the music Larry?

[nawvynemrys]

@supertasticasian Did you read the description? Do you know what a Mauser 98 is? A bolt action rifle is manually cycled firearm. If you want semi-auto, find MidwayUSA's AR-15 series.

[Magnageek]

Will this make the bolt operate easier? My bolt is a bit tight to push down, but slides just fine. I'd like to make it easier to operate.

[supertasticasian]

what does the locking lug even do on semi auto and full auto guns? Because even when the bolt closes and locks, it still opens fully when you bull the bolt back. Just seems like a useless piece to me.

[EGCblackknight]

@supertasticasian The locking lugs on semi autos and automatics does the same thing as on a bolt action, keeps the action closed until after the cartrige is fired. On auto loaders the actions are designed to allow pulling the bolt handle to open them for manual cycling. On almost all guns the bolt is locked in place for a few fractions of a second after firing, to allow the gasses to disapate down the barrel and not leak out the reciever.

[Treblaine]

why is is so important that as much of the locking surface touches as possible? How could it possibly affect the bullet in ways that would make it act unpredictably.

I understand the need for free-floating barrel, and a thick barrel, and good barrel-receiver-scope mounting, but a bolt action is locked so tight, even without 100% of the lug surfaces touching.

[disturbedone5009]

If the lugs do not contact the receiver evenly it can cause the bolt lock up to inconsistent. Long range shooting is all about consistency.

[BenjaminStreifel]

@Treblaine Bolt actions seems to lock "tight" when closed by hand, but when the cartridge is at its pressure maximum (generally 10's of 1000's of psi), any tiny movements in the locking surfaces may change the way the cartridge sits in the chamber, the way the bullet engages the rifling, etc. Improving the contact area would minimize the movement, particularly if they're lapped together (as opposed to individually polished) so they're fit exactly to one another.

[Treblaine]

@BenjaminStreifel ah, so while the cartridge case is still clasping the bullet, I see. Thanks for the explanation.

Which do you think was the easiest action to make and keep accurate? Mauser, Mosin-Nagant, even Lee-Enfield?

[BenjaminStreifel]

@Treblaine I have no idea. I'm sure you could start many arguments on firearms forums with that kind of question though.

[Treblaine]

@BenjaminStreifel Maybe I phrased it poorly, I was just wondering your personal opinion if a statement of fact is too much. There is no such thing as a "wrong" opinion, maybe a biased opinion but you must feel one way or another, the rifles may be equal but they can't be the same.

[Shinerbop]

Gun smithing is an exact science. Interesting stuff.

[cottonmouth101]

i heard u can use your thumb instead of that fixture. is that true? i dont really feel like forking over a lot of money for it or for a gunsmith

[kilamin]

you can but your thumb isnt going to get as near as perfect finish on the locking lugs

[ECTBWHO]

Thanks Larry.

[TheHiddenPart]

i wonder how much material that grinding compound will take off the back of the locking lugs - and how much will it affect headspace.

[jasonhenson1991]

It don't think it will affect headspace aslong has you do this process before you mount a barrel.

[TheHiddenPart]

"before you mount a barrel", yes, correct.