Malfunction question

[Nik S]

Curious if anyone has an idea what happened or what may be the cause.

Pulled the trigger on a tikka CTR. Felt a click, but no fire. Instead, a tiny spring and pin flew out the back of my action and hit me in the cheek.

Safety is now locked. Bolt will not close.

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

I'm not familiar with Tikka's, but why don't you give a little more info. What were you doing when the spring flew out? When you opened the bolt or what? Give more info and some guys here can probably tell you what you want to know

 

[shoots100]

That's the Extractor plunger and spring.
Pieces of the extractor are hiding in the receiver/chamber, not allowing you to close the bolt.
Those parts can't fly out of the receiver with the bolt closed.
We all have made mistakes, so please tell us what really happened ?

 

[Haney]

Is the ejector retaining pin still in the bolt ? That may be why the bolt won't close .

 

[nikonNUT]

I was thinking pieces of the ejector? If so there are parts missing like the ejector itself and a roll pin that retains it.

 

[ma smith]

More context would be helpful. The safety on tikka AFAIK only engages with rifle is in battery, so it would mak a ton of sense if the bolt was closed and the safety was on and you could not OPEN the bolt (that is the design), but that's not what is described in the OP. Maybe I am missing something, dunno...

 

[Kadams1563]

This could get interesting lol

 

[Nik S]

Nothing too interesting happened. Had been shooting for the afternoon testing loads. Everything functioning normally. On one of the last rounds, the bolt didn't want to close, I removed the round, checked it. Seemed the primer was very slightly above the case. I shot a couple other rounds that worked fine. Then tried that last round again to see if it would feed better. Closed the bolt, snug this time, but not forced. Pulled the trigger. Click. Spring and pin flew out (round did not fire). I opened the bolt, removed the round.

 

[msgriff]

Some are mentioning ejectors and pins. It seems unlikely that you would have ejector issues at the same time as your extractor problem. Where is the extractor now and what condition is it and the bolt slot in?

 

[Haney]

Some are mentioning ejectors and pins. It seems unlikely that you would have ejector issues at the same time as your extractor problem. Where is the extractor now and what condition is it and the bolt slot in?

I am mentioning ejector because there are 2 of the 3 parts of the ejector system in the photo . I am asking where the retainer pin is . The third part, which is not pictured .

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Have you looked at a video on how to take apart the bolt and put it back together?

I would start with understanding how it works and what parts are now loose.

 

[Haney]

" Spring and pin flew out "...

Did you find the pin ?

 

[shoots100]

It's the Extractor plunger and spring, as illustrated in the link.
How those parts or any part popped out while the bolt was closed is beyond me.

Tikka bolt parts

 

[Haney]

It's the Extractor plunger and spring, as illustrated in the link.
How those parts or any part popped out while the bolt was closed is beyond me.

Tikka bolt parts

Correct, I am asking about the Pin, that little thing that keeps those two pieces from flying out.

 

[srt-4_uk]

Correct, I am asking about the Pin, that little thing that keeps those two pieces from flying out.

The piece that keeps them from flying out is the extractor

 

[Haney]

The piece that keeps them from flying out is the extractor

Wrong, they have a pin of their own .

 

[srt-4_uk]

Wrong, they have a pin of their own .

Ok.

 

[Haney]

Ok.

That is why I am wondering where that pin is, it usually takes a hammer and punch to move it . I am wondering if it may still be there protruding enough to keep the bolt from camming over or maybe its loose sitting in there .

 

[Hennig]

There is no extractor pin. Are you getting your wires crossed mate?

 

[Nik S]

Looks like the Extractor is missing. Plus a lot of carbon. And I have either a case stuck in the chamber, or a complete round. Not how I remember it, but looks like a total shit show.

 

[Haney]

Damn, I thought my memory sucked . Good luck .

 

[JGR1953]

For reference there is no roll pin on the extractor.

This is a good video to show how it's done.

https://www.batmachine.com/videos/how-to-remove-extractors-and-ejectors/

 

[msgriff]

I am mentioning ejector because there are 2 of the 3 parts of the ejector system in the photo . I am asking where the retainer pin is . The third part, which is not pictured .

The OP's photo shows an extractor plunger and extractor plunger spring. This has nothing to do with the ejector, ejector spring or pin.

OP: I would check that the extractor isn't jammed in front of the cartridge. Bore scope would be best.

 

[Haney]

The OP's photo shows an extractor plunger and extractor plunger spring. This has nothing to do with the ejector, ejector spring or pin.

OP: I would check that the extractor isn't jammed in front of the cartridge. Bore scope would be best.

Correct, sorry for the confusion . I did not take a good look at pic in OP , I thought I saw the plunger and spring . No wonder I could not grasp this problem . I will shut up now, my apologies folks .

 

[Jigstick]

Bore scope with a loaded round stuck in the chamber

 

[Taylorbok]

Those extractors kind of just clip in. I didn't think they could come out if the bolt was closed, unless maybe it broke?

 

[msgriff]

Bore scope with a loaded round stuck in the chamber

If you think that's scary, wait 'til you learn the live cartridge removal procedures.

 

[ma smith]

I have either a case stuck in the chamber, or a complete round...

Well if its a stuck case that's the reason it went click and didn't fire.

If it went click and didn't fire--on a live round--then you are walking around with a live round in your chamber.

 

[Baron23]

Well if its a stuck case that's the reason it went click and didn't fire.

If it went click and didn't fire--on a live round--then you are walking around with a live round in your chamber.

Sort of wonder how the OP doesn't know which it is???

 

[shoots100]

Looks like the Extractor is missing. Plus a lot of carbon. And I have either a case stuck in the chamber, or a complete round. Not how I remember it, but looks like a total shit show.

Please take the rifle to a competent Gunsmith so you don't do anymore damage to the rifle or hurt yourself.
It's not to hard to figure out what occurred.
You shot a hot round and the brass got stuck in the chamber.
You tried to extract the case and busted the extractor.
That's happened to a lot of members here, me included.
Get it repaired, de mill all the hot test rounds you loaded, load some mild rounds that are a few thousandths off the lands and get back to the range.
Good Luck.

 

[Taylorbok]

Please take the rifle to a competent Gunsmith so you don't do anymore damage to the rifle or hurt yourself.
It's not to hard to figure out what occurred.
You shot a hot round and the brass got stuck in the chamber.
You tried to extract the case and busted the extractor.
That's happened to a lot of members here, me included.
Get it repaired, de mill all the hot test rounds you loaded, load some mild rounds that are a few thousandths off the lands and get back to the range.
Good Luck.

Not going to recommend this but I was in a pinch.
I had a claw extractor that was bent and overhanging and jammed a round into the chamber real hard. (Rem extractor shortage) I was able to use a brass rod and jam the bullet into the case. I poured water down the barrel and did several flushes, got the majority of the powder out. Set the primer off and had no powder go off. Then I pounded the case out with a brass rad.

 

[Nik S]

Please take the rifle to a competent Gunsmith so you don't do anymore damage to the rifle or hurt yourself.
It's not to hard to figure out what occurred.
You shot a hot round and the brass got stuck in the chamber.
You tried to extract the case and busted the extractor.
That's happened to a lot of members here, me included.
Get it repaired, de mill all the hot test rounds you loaded, load some mild rounds that are a few thousandths off the lands and get back to the range.
Good Luck.

I extracted the round. Looks like the primer got burnt, but otherwise the bullet did not fire.
Will take to a gunsmith to sort out. Thank you.

 

[Baron23]

I extracted the round. Looks like the primer got burnt, but otherwise the bullet did not fire.
Will take to a gunsmith to sort out. Thank you.

And where is the extractor itself? Was it in there under the case rim? If I understood correctly, the spring and plunger for the extractor flew out but where is the claw itself?

 

[Nik S]

And where is the extractor itself? Was it in there under the case rim? If I understood correctly, the spring and plunger for the extractor flew out but where is the claw itself?

Extractor is missing. Don't know if it flew out with the spring and pin, or if it just fell, and I couldn't find it in the gravel. Something hit my cheek (on the cheek weld) when I pulled the trigger.

 

[srt-4_uk]

Extractor is missing. Don't know if it flew out with the spring and pin, or if it just fell, and I couldn't find it in the gravel. Something hit my cheek (on the cheek weld) when I pulled the trigger.

It had to. The extractor is what holds in the spring and pin. I'm not sure how those parts would be able to hit your cheek though.

 

[shoots100]

Extractor is missing. Don't know if it flew out with the spring and pin, or if it just fell, and I couldn't find it in the gravel. Something hit my cheek (on the cheek weld) when I pulled the trigger.

Most likely it was a piece of the blown primer of primer compound coming out of the bleed holes, as when the bolt is closed the extractor parts are fully encompassed by the receiver.

 

[wade2big]

Looks like the Extractor is missing. Plus a lot of carbon. And I have either a case stuck in the chamber, or a complete round. Not how I remember it, but looks like a total shit show.

That bolt face is torched. Were these your handloads?

Edit: I seen where you said that you were testing handloads.

 

[celltech]

Winchester primers?

 

[Nik S]

Winchester primers?

Federal

 

[Nik S]

Most likely it was a piece of the blown primer of primer compound coming out of the bleed holes, as when the bolt is closed the extractor parts are fully encompassed by the receiver.

Seems more plausible, agreed.

 

[Nik S]

That bolt face is torched. Were these your handloads?

Edit: I seen where you said that you were testing handloads.

These were handloads, but they were not part of my test batch. I'd just completed testing, and I was firing off some "extras" from previous loads that I may not have measured correctly and had set aside. I didn't think they were hot, but I was wrong. Big mistake.

I have a bullet puller on order. That way, if I'm not sure about a measurement, I can just pull it. Lessons learned.

 

[Taylorbok]

That bolt face is torched. Were these your handloads?

Edit: I seen where you said that you were testing handloads.

It's hard to tell from pics but it looks fine. I can't see any pitting from blown primers

 

[wade2big]

It's hard to tell from pics but it looks fine. I can't see any pitting from blown primers

You are correct that there isn't any deep pitting but it is rough now. Couldn't sale it "as new" any longer.

 

[Taylorbok]

You are correct that there isn't any deep pitting but it is rough now. Couldn't sale it "as new" any longer.

rough in the sense that it's been used a bit. No kidding you can't sell it as new... it's used...???

 

[mgoodrich]

ok, taking a guess here and others can shoot me down on this.

I am guessing that there was an obstruction in the primer hole when this round was reloaded and that is why you were seeing the primer slightly extended above the lip.

When you pulled the trigger, the primer went off ( it would sound like a small pop though) and what you felt on your cheek was the charge blowing back through the bolt body. The obsturction kept the powder from igniting and the primer discharge would go through the firing pin hole. Seeing all that carbon on the bolt head is what leads me to think that is what happened.

The primer discharge is what forced the extractor out of its normal position, but still in the bolt head, and when you drew the bolt back, the extractor, pin and spring then fell out, along with the round.

That is what makes the most sense to me from what you are describing.

Only other time I had heard of this happening was on factory rounds where they forgot to drill out the primer hole in the round. That was in a Remington action and it only forced the firing pin out of its normal position after the trigger was pulled due to the discharge through the bolt body.

The ammo in this case was federal, and out of that box of 20 rounds, the op found a total of 3 that the primer hole had not been drilled through the brass.

 

[Nik S]

ok, taking a guess here and others can shoot me down on this.

I am guessing that there was an obstruction in the primer hole when this round was reloaded and that is why you were seeing the primer slightly extended above the lip.

When you pulled the trigger, the primer went off ( it would sound like a small pop though) and what you felt on your cheek was the charge blowing back through the bolt body. The obsturction kept the powder from igniting and the primer discharge would go through the firing pin hole. Seeing all that carbon on the bolt head is what leads me to think that is what happened.

The primer discharge is what forced the extractor out of its normal position, but still in the bolt head, and when you drew the bolt back, the extractor, pin and spring then fell out, along with the round.

That is what makes the most sense to me from what you are describing.

Only other time I had heard of this happening was on factory rounds where they forgot to drill out the primer hole in the round. That was in a Remington action and it only forced the firing pin out of its normal position after the trigger was pulled due to the discharge through the bolt body.

The ammo in this case was federal, and out of that box of 20 rounds, the op found a total of 3 that the primer hole had not been drilled through the brass.

Sounds as plausible as anything. Was a reloaded round (Federal primer).
I run a second cleaning of brass after resizing brass to get rid of residual lubricant. Possible that a piece of corn cob got stuck in the primer hole after that second cleaning, and then I pressed a primer on top of it. Corn cob always finds its way in there, and I punch out corn cob each time, but it's also possible in that assembly line that I missed one.
Can't blame this one on an undrilled primer hole, as these are all used brass.