Ruger 10/22 bolt release

professor gun · March 19, 2011, 08:16:45 PM

Has anyone had any issues with after market bolt releases for the Ruger 10/22 causing the bolt to lock back when there is still ammo in the magazine? Very annoying in the middle of a timed string of fire.

Grumpy · March 19, 2011, 09:51:54 PM

I had one with the plastic T/G that would lock back.
I finally replaced the T/G with a metal one and cured my problems.

Check to see if there is any play in the housing, if your mag release is contacting the BHO, and the spring is stout enough.
I'll look for the website where I got the trigger housing and get back to you.

Found it.

www.clarkcustomguns.com

AFTERMATH · March 19, 2011, 10:08:08 PM

Quote from: professor gun on March 19, 2011, 08:16:45 PM
Has anyone had any issues with after market bolt releases for the Ruger 10/22 causing the bolt to lock back when there is still ammo in the magazine? Very annoying in the middle of a timed string of fire.

I've noticed some home-jobs that weren't quite rounded/smoothed right, creating that effect, but not after-market.

Another issue that can cause a similar malfuntion is the recoil spring/guide rod -- A well-worn guide rod occasionally 'chatters' and can stick the bolt in place. Lube it with some good grease; that usually helps.

Alex

professor gun · March 19, 2011, 10:53:15 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys.

sparks1 · March 20, 2011, 10:15:13 AM

Another trick is to polish the guide rod, factory rods have a rough surface. You'd be surprised how some polishing can smooth the action. It's kind of hard to do because you have to hold the spring back to expose the oprod. But it can be done.

professor gun · March 20, 2011, 10:06:18 PM

Is there a way to take the spring off?

sanderman79 · March 20, 2011, 10:30:23 PM

I seem t remember that if you pull the spring back there is a small rod at the bottom of the rod that holds the spring on. I was able to compress spring and remove the smaller rod and take the spring off.

Roland · March 21, 2011, 03:30:42 PM

Quote from: professor gun on March 20, 2011, 10:06:18 PM
Is there a way to take the spring off?

Be very careful if you don't have the armorers video, as it tells you how to remove the spring without it flying off. I would do it into a sink (with a stopper) or something similar. Kinda the same as the safety pin and spring, same idea.

Let me know if you need any more help

Roland

2 clicks low · March 21, 2011, 03:59:14 PM

Quote from: professor gun on March 20, 2011, 10:06:18 PM
Is there a way to take the spring off?

On a factory spring assembly, the spring, collar and charging handle are held on the guide rod by Ruger placing the end of the rod in a hydraulic press and deforming it just enough to get it out of round. So yes, a little very carefull work with a Dremel will get it off. Then you have to figure out how to get it back together.

Some after market guide rods do have a pin or "c" clip. Others just have a hole to put a paperclip in when disassembling. I chose this last option using a heaver spring with the factory collar and charging handle. This fixed an occasional FTL problem I was having with a "target" barrel.

Measure twice, think thrice then cut.
2cl

oladcock · March 21, 2011, 08:25:09 PM

I guess I'm just lucky, I've mod-ed a dozen or more and have never had a bolt lock back in the middle of a mag? I'd be really ticked if it was a commercial aftermarket!...O.L.

professor gun · March 21, 2011, 10:51:13 PM

Quote from: oladcock on March 21, 2011, 08:25:09 PM
I guess I'm just lucky, I've mod-ed a dozen or more and have never had a bolt lock back in the middle of a mag? I'd be really ticked if it was a commercial aftermarket!...O.L.

Yes, it is really annoying. I ordered the AGI DVD for the Ruger 10/22 last night, I also ordered new charging handle/bolt guide rod assemblies from Brownells last night to replace the offending parts. Hopefully that will do it.

There may be some youngsters at our April or June La Crosse Appleseeds that may use these rifles so I want them to work flawlessly.

professor gun · March 27, 2011, 06:41:44 PM

I put the new charging handles with new bolt guide and spring in the two offending 10/22's, tested one today, it is still hanging up in the middle of a full magazine.

The next suspect is the aftermarket bolt release I put in. Will try replacing that next.

2 clicks low · March 27, 2011, 08:37:18 PM

Check the Attached Schemitic the spring B42 must fit into the notch (has the little arrow labled B) in part B41. Note that the bent end of spring goes here. The streight end goes under pin B35. If this is not installed correctly it might not hold durning recoil. If it is installed correctly, I'd try another spring.

2cl

Schemitc changed 3/31/11

oladcock · March 27, 2011, 09:37:23 PM

Let me ask this, what inside the gun changes from a full mag, to half mag, to empty mag?...Nothing..I'd look at the mags and try different ones......O.L.

Broomhead · March 28, 2011, 12:59:41 PM

Check out this thread on RimfireCentral.com:
http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30867
Make sure the aftermarket release looks like the modified one with the rounded hole in the pictures.

Also, be sure the bolt release isn't rubbing on the mag release or the trigger housing. If it is rubbing, then you may need to smooth out the flat sides of the release, or relieve the mag release of a tiny bit of material on the bolt release side.

Lastly, like 2 Clicks Low said, make sure the spring, that sits on the opposite side of the trigger housing, is installed correctly. The arm of the spring that isn't perfectly straight goes down and sits in the notch on the extended arm of the bolt release. The top arm of the spring goes under the front most pin that holds the ejector.

Broomhead · March 28, 2011, 01:02:08 PM

Quote from: oladcock on March 27, 2011, 09:37:23 PM
Let me ask this, what inside the gun changes from a full mag, to half mag, to empty mag?...Nothing..I'd look at the mags and try different ones......O.L.

The magazine shouldn't have anything to do with the bolt release locking the bolt back. The magazine doesn't come into contact with the bolt release. There is no Last Round Bolt Hold Open feature on 10/22s.

I promise I'm not trying to be condescending, honestly. I'm just trying to help through my experiences.

professor gun · March 30, 2011, 06:07:10 PM

OK, guys, thanks for the input. I will give these ideas a try next. Would like to get at least one running good for our April Appleseed; I have a junior shooter without a rifle I would like to help out but don't want to have him learn on one that keeps hanging up.

professor gun · April 24, 2011, 02:04:41 PM

Update:
First of all, thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I took a close look at all of them and it turns out that 2 Clicks Low was right on target. The Ruger 10/22s that were hanging up with the bolt locked back on a mag that still had ammo ALL did not have the spring #9 bent end in the notch of the extension off the bolt release (part #8). Those that were functioning OK did have the spring end in the notch.

When I put in the after market bolt releases I was not paying attention to where that bent end of the spring went and thus created the problem.

2 Clicks Low, you da' man!!!! Take a bow!

I now have two extra LTRs that new shooters can use at Appleseed without a hitch.

2 clicks low · April 24, 2011, 02:22:07 PM

I speak with the voice of experance. I chased that spring problem before.
2cl

Project Appleseed

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Ruger 10/22 bolt release

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Roland

2 clicks low

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