I have a 10-22 (all stock) which I estimate has had about 2000 rounds through it. Upon rebuild, all parts (as far as I can tell) appear to be in perfect condition except that some of the holding pins in the trigger group are tight getting in and out. It has developed the following problem(s):
1. Pull the bolt back, and it will (sometimes) stick back. Downward pressure on bolt handle, more likely to stick. Upward pressure, less likely. When stuck, wiggle + upward pressure, will get it unstuck.
2. (more serious) Push the bottom of the bolt hold back tab in, and the bolt will be held back, but cannot be easily released. Pushing the top (ringed portion) does not work. Basically, you have to pull the bolt back and grab the bottom of the bolt hold back tab with a pair of plyers and pull it out into the released position. You can do it with your fingers, but it's quite difficult; there's not much of the tab sticking out to get a hold on.
The problem developed, and I rebuilt/cleaned the trigger group for the first time. Upon reassembly, the performance is exactly the same.
Something bent in there? The only thing I noticed was that the bone shaped piece that fits on the same pin with the bolt lock plate and extends forward through a slot (the ejector?) was a little tight in the forward slot. Anybody know what might be the problem?
FF
It sounds like perhaps your bolt lock spring isn't quite right. Take a look at the following diagram (part B-42) and notice that the bent arm is on the bottom and should be engaged into the grove on the bolt lock. That would be my immediate suggestion seeing as it sounds like the bolt lock is engaging when it shouldn't and staying engaged when you are trying to disengage.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251027
If you are up to it take a few pics of the trigger group and post those.
DryFire
If you can - find some pictures of what the trigger group is supposed to look like and compare it to your own.
Take your time with it, study it and make sure each part in in the correct place. It took me about 5 minutes to find my error.
A few basic Q's:
The bolt doesn't stick unless your trigger group is installed - correct?
What is your bolt release doing when you cycle the bolt? Can you manually push/pull the release up/down with the bolt closed? This may indicate improper spring position.
If you can, post up a pic of your trigger group
good luck
You all were correct; the bottom end of the spring was not on the bolt lock arm. So...problem 2 (evidently self-inflicted) is fixed. Many thanks. Problem 1 remains.
The bolt does not stick without the trigger group in. It's pretty easy to wiggle it free when it sticks, so the rifle is usable now, but I have no idea what's sticking. Maybe I'll run across one of you guys at a shoot, and you can have a look. I'm not too savvy on the photo business.
Problem 1.
Is the bolt buffer in place? Worn? (Broken if plastic) If the bolt comes too far back (normally stopped by the buffer) the front could (downward pressure) drop and stick on the guide rails. Wiggle upward pressure would fix (back above the rails). Just guessing.
You are correct. With the bolt buffer out (and the trigger group out) it will stick on the guide rail just as you say. However, with the bolt buffer in (which is metal and in perfect shape) that doesn't happen and doesn't appear to be possible.
I will note, however, that the feel of the stick is almost exactly the same as the sticking that occurs with the trigger group (and bolt buffer) in. It feels like it's sticking on the guide rail, but I can't see how it could be getting back that far.
Many thanks for your analysis.
I initially had all the same problems with all my 10/22s and finally just trashed the whole group, replaced them with the Valquartson version with the extended mag release and some other significant improvments and have had zero problems since. They're worth the $$$ since Brownells will replace them IF you DO have any problems. Last week I also decided to paint the magazine well bright yellow or orange to positivly ascertain that those little icecube black ones are OUT !@#)
franklinfarmer
Drop the trigger and pull the whole bolt out of the gun - check the guide rod - was it in backwards? Check the diagram again.
Now check the spring - is it kinked? No, good.
Check the rod - any dings or burrs? No, good. Roll it in a flat surface - is it true or bent? bent = bad
Check the hole on the bolt handle and bolt faces - anything?
Check the surfaces on the inside of the receiver - heck, it's all apart - clean it out as best you can - use a toothbrush on the hard to reach spots - no foolin! Get in there - the barrel face too while you're at it.
With just the trigger group in your hand - cock it - HOLD THE BOLT FROM SLAMMING - and squeeese - cycle it a couple times and get a feel for how things are moving - things OK there? Good.
If you haven't found anything abnormal then lightly oil the bolt rod & spring and reassemble - test for smooth operation. Still hanging up? Keep looking. There's just not much in there to be wrong.
If your bolt hangs up without the trigger group installed it's probably not your trigger...but what is it - I don't know but I hope you figure it out and tell us.
OK. This is about humility right.
I went for a walk. When I came back in the garage, I noticed on my (cluttered) bench there was a large pin...yep, the buffer pin. So not only did it feel just like the sticking with the buffer pin out...
Both problems fixed. Remedy: Put the bottom of the spring on the bolt hold back plate...then make sure the buffer pin doesn't fall out on the bench when you put it back into the stock.
Thanks for your help, and sorry to waste your time. (And yes, I'll wear the dufus-americanus sign around my neck when we meet up at a shoot.)
Glad you solved the problem - I haven't had the buffer out while shooting but I have found it on the bench after cleaning...
And if it helps you any, my given name may even be derived from the latin doofus maximus but I can't prove it...
So after all that cleaning how does it run?
So, it took me a while to get it out and shoot it. But the answer is that it functions perfectly. Thanks for all the help.
I'm holding you to that "dufus" sign thing you said.
:))
J