Bolt sticks after 4th round every time,

[ourichie]

I have 1927 Tula 91/30. I went out yesterday and shot both it and my M38. Well, on the 91/30, I would load up the magazine with 5 rounds, and whenever I would fire the 4th, the bolt would stick upon extraction. After opening it with a rubber mallet, wit would feed and extract the 5th round perfectly. Load up 5 more, and once again, the bolt would stick on the 4th round.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

BTW, my new M38 functioned flawlessly through the 90 rounds i put through it yesterday.

[bunkysdad]

Yes that is classic sticky bolt syndrome. By the time you get to the 4th round the receiver is hot enough that some old grease or cosmoline, even a unseen trace amount that has become embedded in the steel chamber area begins to melt enough to "glue" the round in place. Cleaning is required.

[ourichie]

That is what I figured. I was just thinking that there might be something else because it was on the 4th round of every magazine.

I am guessing that rounds 1-4 heat it up to where round 4 sticks and as i am screwing with it to get it out, it cools off until the next 4th round or so.

[bunkysdad]

I had that happen to me and it just made me crazy. I had to clean the chamber several times to get it right.

[Groundpounder]

I had the same issue with a 91-59, someone on here suggested a soft brass shotgun bore brush and a drill. I stayed in denial for two more trips to the range, thinking "I know how to clean a rifle, it must be mechanical"... Finally I used the brush with some solvent for about 20 seconds...never stuck again.

[MarksmanTim]

All great advice here. Start with that and then inspect the chamber area with a bright light to make sure it's clean.