Gunsmithing Bolt Handle Blues

[nathan1485]

I had an extractor that was looking a little rough around the edges on my 700 bolt so I dropped it off at a local guy 10 days ago. Picked this up today and paid $30 to do so.....

The handle didn't just come off, it's bent where it soldiers as well.

What are my options?

Thanks.

 

[300sniper]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nathan_s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

What are my options?
</div></div>

um, have your local guy weld or solder a new handle on and refinish it (or pay to have someone qualified to solder/weld a new handle on and refinish it?

 

[Thorax]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

Can you post a picture of the bolt face, and then a picture of the back of the lugs ?

I've seen that exact thing happen before, but it was quite some years ago....
It happened when someone put the wrong cartridge ina rifle and fired it.
Cartridge was fused to the chamber, barrel was expanded, receiver was bulged.
I don't recall the chambering of the rifle nor the round that was put thru it....but I do remember it was a total scrap job...nothing was salvageable from it.

Yes, that bolt handle was ripped off from trying to open the action when it didn't want to open.
I'm also wondering what happened to the finish on the bolt....I see no "jewelling" marks in the pics.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

you can re-bend and solder it, but I would think if your local guy is the one who tore it off, he ought to put it back on. For sure he shouldn't charge you for whatever he did do. That is just my opinion. There are a few people who can tig weld the handle back on for you. For the money, I would look at replacing the handle with one from PTG, maybe a threaded one?

Dave

 

[EricM40]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

I would say have that one welded back on or replace it with a new handle from ptg. You could always have GAP work magic on it.

 

[nathan1485]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

 

[nathan1485]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DebosDave</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you can re-bend and solder it, but I would think if your local guy is the one who tore it off, he ought to put it back on. For sure he shouldn't charge you for whatever he did do. That is just my opinion. There are a few people who can tig weld the handle back on for you. For the money, I would look at replacing the handle with one from PTG, maybe a threaded one?

Dave </div></div>

I figured he could "handle" putting in an extractor. Since he charged me to rip the handle off, I don't think I'm going back for rework.

He gave me the case that the supposedly "fired" in my ackley. It's a standard 243 case.

 

[Thorax]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

I thought it looked like the old *wrong ammo* causing a stuck case syndrome.
Guess my years have yet to catch up with me

I don't see anything obviously wrong on the bolt face or lugs (have those been lapped ? if not....).

I would have the chamber and throat checked by someone competant this time

No telling without knowing.

 

[mscott]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

Wow, what a surprise. I've said that guy was a jack... for a long time, but he's somehow still in business.

 

[HarryCallahan]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

Am I seeing things or is half the extractor recess missing on the bolt face? Pulled off?

 

[Thorax]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

I think that particular bolt has the "snap ring" type extractor....but the pic is blurry so I can't be sure.

 

[ROBW223]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nathan_s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had an extractor that was looking a little rough around the edges on my 700 bolt so I dropped it off at a local guy 10 days ago. Picked this up today and paid $30 to do so.....

The handle didn't just come off, it's bent where it soldiers as well.

What are my options?
Take it back and confront him, if he can't give a satisfactory explanation, make him go you halves in a new weld on unit.
Rob
Thanks. </div></div>

 

[Field]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Harry Callahan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Am I seeing things or is half the extractor recess missing on the bolt face? Pulled off?</div></div>

Looks kind of weird to me too.

 

[usmcMT]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

Its been torn off, good call.

 

[Wild_Bill]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

What was he doing firing the rifle if he only replaced the extractor? now you said he fired a 243 in your ackley chamber was it a 243AI chamber? if it is a 243AI chamber then did he fire a factory 243 in it and did it come out formed? if he did and the case stuck there might be other issues like the chamber having marks in it creating the first extractor to fail and make the case catch and this guy tear the bolt handle off.

I am in no way saying htat the rifle should have come back like that but is there another issue there that needs looking at? If he is a Gunsmith he should have fixed whatever problem there is with the rifle and if there is a problem that is causing the cases to stick in the chamber then he should have rectified it and also refitted the bolt handle after contacting you about the issues.

We had a 6mmBR the other week that was binding shut after firing and the guy tore the bolt handle off. what happened was a piece of brass from the neck that was not outside debured after trimming was impregnated into the shoulder of the chamber and grit from the range was also impregnated into the stainless match barrel and the cases were binding to the chamber walls. we had to set the barrel back and rechamber it to fix the problem. if the ammo was correct eg a 243 in a 243AI there is another issue you need to get looked at.

 

[Kells81]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usmcMT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Its been torn off, good call. </div></div>
LOL if you can pull that off I wouldnt wanna be any where near that rifle when it went off. It would have to be some soft steel to just "tear" off or really brittle. I would be some dremel or mill fu has been issued on this one.

 

[Bluejazz]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

Good call Wild Bill. If it was my rifle, at this point I would have it checked over.

 

[Clark]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

The only term looser than "gunsmith" is "girl friend".

In either case, you dump 'em when they are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[500grains]

Re: Bolt Handle Blues

From one of the members here:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
So what is un Mauser like about Rem700 actions?
What can you do about it?

1) Bolt hand falls off..... TIG weld it
2) Round bottom..... glue it in a flat bottom shroud
3) Wimpy extractor.... Sako extractor conversion
4) Recoil lug not attached... drill and pin to receiver
5) No inner C ring..... glue barrel threads
6) Safety blocks trigger, not firing pin..... Gentry 3 position safety


</div></div>