Marks on the bolt of my new rifle. Is this normal?

Lugerman · December 8, 2014, 03:25 PM

deleted. thanks

Doyle · December 8, 2014, 03:49 PM

Those are the locking lugs. Perfectly normal. If you are satisfied with the accuracy of the rifle when you are shooting, then just keep a very thin film of grease on them. If you want to try and improve accuracy, you can lap the lugs.

flashhole · December 8, 2014, 04:44 PM

Yep, normal. I recommend graphite powder over grease or oil as a lube. The petroleum based stuff is good and provides moisture protection as well but I don't like how it grabs every possible piece of dirt it comes in contact with.

Lugerman · December 8, 2014, 05:10 PM

I might have worded my post badly. Sorry.

My question is, is it normal for the lugs of the bolt to have those wear marks in the finish even when brand new and I haven't inserted it into the rifle even once? Or do these marks indicate a bolt that has been used for more than simple fire testing at factory?

I cleaned the barrel of the new rifle and found powder residue, but I'm assuming it's from those factory test rounds. thank you

tahunua001 · December 8, 2014, 05:18 PM

Yes its normal. Its likely from test firing at the factory and fitting process. Also may have gotten scruffed in shipping or the store may have inserted it as a display model. Youre fine. Just keep it oiled/greased/whatever you would like you use and it'll be fine.

Mobuck · December 9, 2014, 08:39 AM

Put some grease on the bolt lugs and light oil on the cocking surfaces and work the bolt `100-200 times before shooting it. Then all the surfaces will look like that and it will be smoother all over.

December 8, 2014, 03:25 PM	#1
Lugerman Junior Member Join Date: November 9, 2014 Posts: 5	.. deleted. thanks Last edited by Lugerman; December 9, 2014 at 04:26 PM. Reason: redundant

December 8, 2014, 04:44 PM	#3
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	Yep, normal. I recommend graphite powder over grease or oil as a lube. The petroleum based stuff is good and provides moisture protection as well but I don't like how it grabs every possible piece of dirt it comes in contact with. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

December 8, 2014, 05:18 PM	#5
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	Yes its normal. Its likely from test firing at the factory and fitting process. Also may have gotten scruffed in shipping or the store may have inserted it as a display model. Youre fine. Just keep it oiled/greased/whatever you would like you use and it'll be fine. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

December 8, 2014, 03:49 PM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Those are the locking lugs. Perfectly normal. If you are satisfied with the accuracy of the rifle when you are shooting, then just keep a very thin film of grease on them. If you want to try and improve accuracy, you can lap the lugs.

December 8, 2014, 05:10 PM	#4
Lugerman Junior Member Join Date: November 9, 2014 Posts: 5	I might have worded my post badly. Sorry. My question is, is it normal for the lugs of the bolt to have those wear marks in the finish even when brand new and I haven't inserted it into the rifle even once? Or do these marks indicate a bolt that has been used for more than simple fire testing at factory? I cleaned the barrel of the new rifle and found powder residue, but I'm assuming it's from those factory test rounds. thank you

December 9, 2014, 08:39 AM	#6
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Put some grease on the bolt lugs and light oil on the cocking surfaces and work the bolt `100-200 times before shooting it. Then all the surfaces will look like that and it will be smoother all over.