Pitted Bolt

Sisco · April 30, 2002, 04:34 PM

I've got a 98 Muser bolt thats got a lot of pitting. It's blued right now but I was hoping to eventually get it jewelled. Is there any way to remove the pitting or should I have a new bolt fitted?
Would really like to keep the old one since the handle's already been re-worked.

Badger Arms · April 30, 2002, 07:31 PM

A gunsmith should be able to slightly turn down the diameter of the bolt or carefully polish out the pits. It depends on where the pits are and how deep they are.

Clemson · May 1, 2002, 08:06 AM

Pitting on the Mauser bolt face is fairly common. Pitting on the bolt body is not common. Normally, if the bolt body is pitted, the receiver of the gun is also corroded to the extent that it is unserviceable. Where is the pitting on your bolt?

I would not turn down a bolt body. Shaving .008 from the bolt face and shortening the firing pin is possible if the pitting is on the bolt face, however. This can be done if you are fitting a new barrel or requalifying the existing one. Otherwise you will increase the headspace too much.

If the bolt body is pitted too much to polish out with normal polishing wheels, it is time for a new bolt. Headspace MUST be checked and reset if necessary when you replace the bolt.

Sisco · May 1, 2002, 10:00 AM

The pitting is on the body & extractor, not real deep just unattractive. The bolt face & reciever look good.

April 30, 2002, 04:34 PM	#1
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	Pitted Bolt I've got a 98 Muser bolt thats got a lot of pitting. It's blued right now but I was hoping to eventually get it jewelled. Is there any way to remove the pitting or should I have a new bolt fitted? Would really like to keep the old one since the handle's already been re-worked. __________________ "I don't mind it when stupid people say stupid things. Stupid people should be encouraged to say stupid things, that way we always know who the stupid people are." ~ Ted Nugent http://www.awbansunset.com/awcountdown_sm.gif

April 30, 2002, 07:31 PM	#2
Badger Arms Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: Harnett County, NC Posts: 1,700	A gunsmith should be able to slightly turn down the diameter of the bolt or carefully polish out the pits. It depends on where the pits are and how deep they are. __________________ We may or may not worship God, but John Moses Browning made sure we can choose.

May 1, 2002, 08:06 AM	#3
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Pitting on the Mauser bolt face is fairly common. Pitting on the bolt body is not common. Normally, if the bolt body is pitted, the receiver of the gun is also corroded to the extent that it is unserviceable. Where is the pitting on your bolt? I would not turn down a bolt body. Shaving .008 from the bolt face and shortening the firing pin is possible if the pitting is on the bolt face, however. This can be done if you are fitting a new barrel or requalifying the existing one. Otherwise you will increase the headspace too much. If the bolt body is pitted too much to polish out with normal polishing wheels, it is time for a new bolt. Headspace MUST be checked and reset if necessary when you replace the bolt. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

May 1, 2002, 10:00 AM	#4
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,558	The pitting is on the body & extractor, not real deep just unattractive. The bolt face & reciever look good. __________________ "I don't mind it when stupid people say stupid things. Stupid people should be encouraged to say stupid things, that way we always know who the stupid people are." ~ Ted Nugent http://www.awbansunset.com/awcountdown_sm.gif