03a3 Bolt Timing

hooligan1 · June 9, 2017, 04:46 AM

My 03a3 has a rather heavy lift after firing.
I do have a Wolf Speedspring in it that raises the firing pin weight 2 lbs, I havent swapped it back with original to see if there is a signigicant difference, if so then there might be my problem.
I was also pointed in the direction of improper bolt timing, and will check that also.
My real question, is what other methods have you fellas tried or read about to lesson weight of bolt lift on the 03a3?

HiBC · June 9, 2017, 07:39 AM

A stock spring won't hurt.
It IS cock on opening.Some resistance is going to be there.
(I assume this is not about high pressure.)
Using fine lapping compound (600 to 900) on the cocking cam/striker interface will get you slick surface.
A very small amount of grease on the cam might help.

Bring the palm up briskly under the bolt knob

kraigwy · June 9, 2017, 08:49 AM

Does this only occur after firing or does it occur when you dry fire also?

That's kind of important to know.

This is important. If its hard to open after firing a round, its not the bolt, its probably excessive head space. I'd check it first.

M1903 bolts cock on opening opposed to clock on closing like the M1917 and other military bolt guns.

Most are smooth as glass, excluding the Krags mine are the smoothest military actions I have.

Assuming this occurs even when dry firing, first then to do would be to cover the whole bolt with lay out ink or a magic marker. Work the bolt a few times to see if you're finding binding some where. If so address that, if not then worry about changing springs. I would prefer to get the USGI springs from Gun Parts USA or somewhere else as opposed to after market springs.

hooligan1 · June 9, 2017, 11:17 AM

Okay Kraigwy, I do dryfire this rifle once in awhile and its like stiff, but It has a brand new barrel on it, and Ive shot maybe 100 rnds through including 3 while in the field.
Im going to strip the bolt and start adding pieces until it gets stiff then back up and address the problem.
Thanks for the reply, I know you know these rifles well.

T. O'Heir · June 9, 2017, 11:56 AM

"...heavy lift after firing..." That's got nothing to do with lock time. Lock time is how long it takes for the rifle to go bang after pulling the trigger. Difference is that it can be a headspace or ammo pressure thing too. However, since it feels a bit stiff when dry firing(that won't hurt anything) it's likely just because you're overcoming the heavier spring.
The Wolff spring decreases lock time and makes the firing pin/striker move faster than a standard spring. It's a 20 pound plus spring vs the factory 16 pound spring. They go up to 30 pounds.

hooligan1 · June 9, 2017, 12:34 PM

No one said anything about locktime jr.
Be productive here please.

hooligan1 · June 9, 2017, 02:56 PM

Alright I have it figired out where my problem lies.
The bolt handle when raised, (after firing) cams in the reciever inside this surface is rough and the bolt itself needs a little polishing.
I traded out the new spri g for the old spring and that helped, but Im also going to polish out these two mating surfaces to get it a tad cleaner...

hooligan1 · June 9, 2017, 03:49 PM

I worked out some burrs and smoothed everything up, and then I put the Wolff spring back in ( which made it tougher) but its a ton better than it was....my hand is sore now from cycling the bolt, but its better...

Scorch · June 10, 2017, 03:09 PM

Hey hooligan
Try polishing the cam ramp in the bolt with a fine stone or some 1000 grit paper. Do the same to the cocking piece cam. But just enough to smooth it, do not get aggressive with it. And i assume you have already lapped in the locking lugs.

hooligan1 · June 11, 2017, 02:17 PM

The lugs did get lapped by the Smith that rebarreled for me, and I went through the bolt pretty thoroughly.
The Wolff spring added a ton of weight to it, but it shoots so nicely with it, Im going to leave it in...24 lbs I believe.
It doesnt necessarily need a spring that heavy, but I like the way it works....

Mobuck · June 12, 2017, 06:37 AM

grease the cocking cam and striker surfaces
It won't hurt anything unless you shoot in cold weather and by then, the camming area should be slicked up.
Just my opinion but the heavier striker spring is counter productive. The "speed spring" doesn't gain you all that much.

hooligan1 · June 12, 2017, 12:34 PM

I know Mobuck, but it does help some, and some is better than none....

June 9, 2017, 04:46 AM	#1
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	03a3 Bolt Timing My 03a3 has a rather heavy lift after firing. I do have a Wolf Speedspring in it that raises the firing pin weight 2 lbs, I havent swapped it back with original to see if there is a signigicant difference, if so then there might be my problem. I was also pointed in the direction of improper bolt timing, and will check that also. My real question, is what other methods have you fellas tried or read about to lesson weight of bolt lift on the 03a3? __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 9, 2017, 08:49 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Does this only occur after firing or does it occur when you dry fire also? That's kind of important to know. This is important. If its hard to open after firing a round, its not the bolt, its probably excessive head space. I'd check it first. M1903 bolts cock on opening opposed to clock on closing like the M1917 and other military bolt guns. Most are smooth as glass, excluding the Krags mine are the smoothest military actions I have. Assuming this occurs even when dry firing, first then to do would be to cover the whole bolt with lay out ink or a magic marker. Work the bolt a few times to see if you're finding binding some where. If so address that, if not then worry about changing springs. I would prefer to get the USGI springs from Gun Parts USA or somewhere else as opposed to after market springs. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

June 9, 2017, 11:17 AM	#4
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Okay Kraigwy, I do dryfire this rifle once in awhile and its like stiff, but It has a brand new barrel on it, and Ive shot maybe 100 rnds through including 3 while in the field. Im going to strip the bolt and start adding pieces until it gets stiff then back up and address the problem. Thanks for the reply, I know you know these rifles well. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 9, 2017, 11:56 AM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...heavy lift after firing..." That's got nothing to do with lock time. Lock time is how long it takes for the rifle to go bang after pulling the trigger. Difference is that it can be a headspace or ammo pressure thing too. However, since it feels a bit stiff when dry firing(that won't hurt anything) it's likely just because you're overcoming the heavier spring. The Wolff spring decreases lock time and makes the firing pin/striker move faster than a standard spring. It's a 20 pound plus spring vs the factory 16 pound spring. They go up to 30 pounds. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 9, 2017, 12:34 PM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	No one said anything about locktime jr. Be productive here please. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 9, 2017, 07:39 AM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	A stock spring won't hurt. It IS cock on opening.Some resistance is going to be there. (I assume this is not about high pressure.) Using fine lapping compound (600 to 900) on the cocking cam/striker interface will get you slick surface. A very small amount of grease on the cam might help. Bring the palm up briskly under the bolt knob

June 9, 2017, 02:56 PM	#7
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Alright I have it figired out where my problem lies. The bolt handle when raised, (after firing) cams in the reciever inside this surface is rough and the bolt itself needs a little polishing. I traded out the new spri g for the old spring and that helped, but Im also going to polish out these two mating surfaces to get it a tad cleaner... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 9, 2017, 03:49 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I worked out some burrs and smoothed everything up, and then I put the Wolff spring back in ( which made it tougher) but its a ton better than it was....my hand is sore now from cycling the bolt, but its better... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 10, 2017, 03:09 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Hey hooligan Try polishing the cam ramp in the bolt with a fine stone or some 1000 grit paper. Do the same to the cocking piece cam. But just enough to smooth it, do not get aggressive with it. And i assume you have already lapped in the locking lugs. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 11, 2017, 02:17 PM	#10
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	The lugs did get lapped by the Smith that rebarreled for me, and I went through the bolt pretty thoroughly. The Wolff spring added a ton of weight to it, but it shoots so nicely with it, Im going to leave it in...24 lbs I believe. It doesnt necessarily need a spring that heavy, but I like the way it works.... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 12, 2017, 06:37 AM	#11
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	grease the cocking cam and striker surfaces It won't hurt anything unless you shoot in cold weather and by then, the camming area should be slicked up. Just my opinion but the heavier striker spring is counter productive. The "speed spring" doesn't gain you all that much.

June 12, 2017, 12:34 PM	#12
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I know Mobuck, but it does help some, and some is better than none.... __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.