Sticky Extractor Problem SC1903a3

[Tom]

I forgot who suggested that I try removing extractor and then try closing the bolt. The bolt during first 2 inches would "grab" and prevent a quick second shot. If you push the bolt in with thumb on cocking lever it would be smooth, but not if using the handle. So, with ectractor removed there was no binding-up at all.

I tried 3 different extractors and 3 bolts but same problem. So obviously the problem is in the receiver. What can be done, if anything to make it slide home smoothly?

[Mike D]

Dunno, might be a burr. Some close inspection required.

[Allen Humphrey]

I've used a little bit of dark grease on the bolt to make it easier to see the contact points during the bolt movement. Have an 03A3 that suffered a similar issue. In my case the the material under the rear bridge on the lower rail (where the bottom face of the extractor will ride) was a couple of thou higher than the rest of the rail. The material in that area is removed by a different mfg process that the ajacent rails. Since I was going to have it refinished, I honed the area to get it closer. A little polishing of the bottom face of the extractor did the rest. I'll see if I can doctor up a picture to show it better.

[Allen Humphrey]

Here is my attempt at a picture of the area where I had a problem. Just snagged a random picture of a receiver, not the one with the actual issue. Hope it helps

[Tom]

Here is my attempt at a picture of the area where I had a problem. Just snagged a random picture of a receiver, not the one with the actual issue. Hope it helps

Thanks Allen, I will check it out and get back. In fact- maybe I will go to work tomorrow afterall (tough life) and have our machinest take a 1/64th off the bottom of extractor and polish it . It can't hurt and I have several.

[Tom]

Here is my attempt at a picture of the area where I had a problem. Just snagged a random picture of a receiver, not the one with the actual issue. Hope it helps

Thanks Allen, Turns-out you were correct, I saw an a3 sporter on gunbroker last week and made a point of winning at any resonable cost, because it had a vintage weaver scope and vintage weaver rings with "big thumb wheels". Pretty exciting stuff to me. 5 sporters and 1 beautiful SC non-sporter for grandson someday (hope he continues to like shooting), I am restoring the non-sporter of course. Still need a better s/c stock though. (military dents would be OK but no cracks, if someone has one).

[Tom]

Thanks to you 3 who answered. As luck would have it, I picked-up another a3 this last weekend and swapped bolts. This other bolt works smooth as glass on problem rifle, so I will leave them swapped if headspace checks out OK. I did notice that the ejector on smooth bolt seems to ride a little bit lower like maybe it was stoneground down or something. I hope this doesn't affect ejection. Will find out sunday.

[Allen Humphrey]

Great! Glad you could come up with the right combination of bolts and rifles. Post some pictures of those babys soon.