I dropped my bolt

eelgrass

eelgrass

Long Time Member
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31,422
I was cleaning my bolt action Rem. 541 22.LR and removed the bolt. I dropped the bolt on the concrete and now the bolt won't go back in. There are no broken parts that I can see. Any ideas before I take it to a gunsmith?
 
Some bolts have a spring loaded part that can get turned and need to be pulled out and realigned in order to be put back where everything lines up to go back in.
 
Get a set of calipers and check to see if the impact created a bulge in the front of the bolt. If that’s the case, you can come up with a method of rounding that part out with a stone, file or sand paper. My first thought is that it’s in the closed position and that may prevent it from going back into the action.
 
I think it uncocked when you dropped it…..twist the front portion till it clicks…..
 
Captain_coues said:
Get a set of calipers and check to see if the impact created a bulge in the front of the bolt. If that’s the case, you can come up with a method of rounding that part out with a stone, file or sand paper. My first thought is that it’s in the closed position and that may prevent it from going back into the action.
Click to expand...
That's my first thought. It got closed when I dropped it.
 
Homer said:
I think it uncocked when you dropped it…..twist the front portion till it clicks…..
Click to expand...
I've been trying that but it won't move by hand. The front part of the bolt moves easily about a half turn. I might try putting it in a vise....very carefully. Yikes!
 
eelgrass said:
I've been trying that but it won't move by hand. The front part of the bolt moves easily about a half turn. I might try putting it in a vise....very carefully. Yikes!
Click to expand...
front end gently in vice and twist it using the bolt handle only
 
I’ve had bolts that were spring loaded, where that front end that turns, had to be pulled forward to allow it to be turned…. the rest of the way back…… to where it will catch into the aligned position to go back in the rifle.
 
You can use a piece of hose or tubing to clamp down on the bolt. Water hose is about 5/8-3/4 inch inside diameter so that will be about right. Sometimes it’s not fully closed, but only about 1/8 turn and not enough for it to snap closed. Maybe it only moved a little on the drop. Look closely at the channel on the bottom and see if it lines up the whole way.
 
Captain_coues said:
Look closely at the channel on the bottom and see if it lines up the whole way.
Click to expand...
That's the hang up. The tab right under the bolt handle won't line up with the slot in the top of the receiver. It got sprung out of alignment....uncocked, I think.

I had it in vise and twisted the bolt both directions and it won't budge. I tried pulling on the front part of the bolt too. Nothing.

I have to go into town this morning and I drive right by the gunsmith. I'll quiz him. I've known them for years. In fact it's where I bought the rifle.

Thanks for your help, guys.
 
eelgrass said:
That's the hang up. The tab right under the bolt handle won't line up with the slot in the top of the receiver. It got sprung out of alignment....uncocked, I think.

I had it in vise and twisted the bolt both directions and it won't budge. I tried pulling on the front part of the bolt too. Nothing.

I have to go into town this morning and I drive right by the gunsmith. I'll quiz him. I've known them for years. In fact it's where I bought the rifle.

Thanks for your help, guys.
Click to expand...
Hope for the best there eel. Occasionally…… it helps to talk with someone that knows what they’re doing!!! LOL.
 
www.rimfirecentral.com

541 bolt disassembly procedures?

Does anyone have the instructions or a write up on how to disassemble the bolt for a 541T HB? Mine has recently started to randomly FTE. I've cleaned the chamber and the external surfaces of the bolt but I want to give the bolt a thorough cleaning. I would appreciate it if you could post up the...
www.rimfirecentral.com www.rimfirecentral.com
 
My he!! Mr Eel, Do I need to drive all the way over there to fix it for you? Homer is trying his hardest and I'm just here to give you a hard time.
(We've already established that I drive faster than you so....:ROFLMAO:)

Zeke
 
By the way, I feel your pain. I dropped my Sinclair neck turning tool yesterday and now the cutter adjustment dial won't turn. I was on the phone with a tech for 1/2 hour this morning and he finally said I need to return it for factory repair or replacement. Damnation, I hate concrete floors for how rough they are on dropped stuff!

Zeke
 
mtmuley said:
I'm just jealous eel has a 541. mtmuley
Click to expand...
I know. Me too. My family went with the cheap 512 or 511 or whatever, they’re all garbage and there’s two in the collection now. I wish one of them had a 541. My dad was the only one serious about a nice bolt action 22 and he had a model 52 C Winchester that remains nice to this day.
 
Well.....the gun store is closed Sundays and Mondays. Thanks, Homer for the link. I took a couple photos of my bolt. I tried prying on it a little but it's awkward and I don't want to scar it up or worse. I don't think it's broke, it just needs to be reset in the cocked position...or whatever.

As it lays

P1010401.JPG
P1010402.JPG



The gun without the bolt. :(
P1010403.JPG


I need to get it fixed because deer season ends on the 23rd and I still have one tag yet to fill. I might have to break out the 6mm Rem.
 
eelgrass said:
Well.....the gun store is closed Sundays and Mondays. Thanks, Homer for the link. I took a couple photos of my bolt. I tried prying on it a little but it's awkward and I don't want to scar it up or worse. I don't think it's broke, it just needs to be reset in the cocked position...or whatever.

As it lays

View attachment 88998View attachment 88999


The gun without the bolt. :( View attachment 89000

I need to get it fixed because deer season ends on the 23rd and I still have one tag yet to fill. I might have to break out the 6mm Rem.
Click to expand...
That one’s well worth handling with care and sensitivity eel. When you have one that’s taken good care of itself, it deserves special handling.
 
tailchasers said:
Lots to learn from within this post. Hope you took something away.
Click to expand...
Yes, I did. Pay attention to how things work.

They made 2 models. The 541-S (Sporter) and the 541-T (Target). Mine is the 541-T with a heavier barrel. The only weakness is the plastic magazine. It's kind of cheap. There is an after market metal magazine. And for some reason they don't like to be super clean. After I scrub the barrel(remove the lead and copper) it takes about 15 rounds before it shoots good again.
 
My wife has the exact same rifle and now I know too on what not to do. Where have you found the metal magazine cuz all I've found is the plastic.
 
eelgrass said:
Well.....the gun store is closed Sundays and Mondays. Thanks, Homer for the link. I took a couple photos of my bolt. I tried prying on it a little but it's awkward and I don't want to scar it up or worse. I don't think it's broke, it just needs to be reset in the cocked position...or whatever.

As it lays

View attachment 88998View attachment 88999


The gun without the bolt. :( View attachment 89000

I need to get it fixed because deer season ends on the 23rd and I still have one tag yet to fill. I might have to break out the 6mm Rem.
Click to expand...
You need some ammo?
 
here eel....maybe this guy is still alive.....

All metal remington 541/581 22lr magazines

I hand make these to replace the factory plastic mags in the 541/581 rifles. Ive sold several of these on rimfire central and have a few more available. These are 5 shot magazines made from 304 stainless steel with a blued steel floorplate . These replace the cheap plastic factory mag...
www.24hourcampfire.com www.24hourcampfire.com
 

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