Range problem-Stuck bolt/light primer strike

[Texas Red]

Was the bolt stuck completely closed, or slightly open (unlocked)? If the failure occured only 3 times out of 100, I'd suspect ammo first; or something slightly out of spec in the chamber (rust, foreign material, corrosion), that's not bad enough to affect every round, but bad enough to affect rounds that are at the large or long end of spec. Clean the chamber well before your next range trip.

What did you do with the 3 rounds that got stuck? Did you try to rechamber them? If so, did they go in the 2nd time? If not, did you keep them? If so, are there any obvious defects (out of round, etc)? If not, take them with you on your next range trip and try them in the chamber again. If they go in freely, fire and function, then your problem was a dirty chamber. If they won't go in the gun, then the problem is with the ammo.

A slight mark from a light firing pin hit sometimes occurs to rounds that are just chambered, with no attempt made to fire. It's the nature of the beast (free-floating firing pin).

YMMV. Good Luck and Good Shooting,

Tommy

Looking for some help determining problem I had at the range yesterday. I was shooting a really nice DCM mixmaster I picked up locally. I inspected, cleaned, and headspaced it (go and no go) prior to shooting. Using CMP Greek HXP. I shot about 100 rounds but 3 times I just got a click followed by a stuck bolt. They happened during first 8 , around 50 mark and last 8 shot. The first 2 times I could carefully work the handle back but the last incident was so stuck I had to use a wood range post to draw the handle back. Upon inspecting the 3 rounds I found no damage to the case but there was a very light strike on the primer that was visually far less that the spent rounds. Not sure if I have multiple issues (dirty, bolt, hammer spring)??? Any help would be appreciated

[HoosierNative]

no i haven't tried other ammo. typically only buy CMP and this is all i have at the moment.

[Dan Shapiro]

Here's where I buy my chamber brushes: http://www.billricca.com/m1_m14.htm

As Bill points out, a lot of places either don't have a clue, or don't care what they sell you. After all (using Democratic logic), a brush is a brush.

[redlemot]

After you have cleaned the chamber, did you also check the bolt? Might be a problem there as well and I wonder about the specs on the unfired cases. Who knows what was used for brass. I clean my brass, fired or unfired. Guess I am a nut but I never have had a stuck bolt. Might get one today as I plan to do some shooting if it doesn't get too hot. Be carefull and let all know your findings.

[HoosierNative]

Cleaned and inspected bolt. No issues there. I need to check spec's on the 3 rounds. Im guessing my issue was the ammo, dirt, lack of lube. Kind of leaning toward ammo if it happened at the start , middle and end of shooting.

[Devil Dog]

The fact that the bolt was stuck so tight that the "range post was needed to open it would suggest the the extractor was jammed on the cartridge rim and the bolt was probably not completely closed. Probably a good thing that it did not fire. As stated above, make sure everything is clean and the ammo is good. I would then look at the extractor and also make sure the bolt is completely locked before each shot until you figure this out. When I am single loading and "riding" the op rod slightly, I always glance at the bolts right locking lug to make sure it locked. A couple of times I have used the "range post" when I "rode" the bolt a little too long.