How dangerous is/was this? Bolt not locked all the way

[buckbrush]

I recently got my custom back from my gunsmith...who will likely be a former gunsmith after this last abomination...

In addition to many problems, the bot was only locked at about 60-70% because the relief in the stock was not cut deep enough. I noticed it before I fired it while fixing another issue. When I approach him due to the shoddy work, I'd like to be a little more informed.

Thanks!

 

[Temp9]

In my (limited) experience with that issue with bolt guns, that wouldn't be a particularly dangerous situation, but one that should have been avoided nonetheless. Generally, if the bolt isn't closed fully, the striker will contact the cocking ramp of the bolt and won't let the gun fire. If the gun could fire, it would likely have enough bolt lug contact by that time to not create a dangerous situation. But of course, this will vary depending on firearm design. Either way, you shouldn't have to work very hard to justify why he has to fix his own work. He screwed up, he has to fix it. Simple as that.

 

[John1911.com]

I am certainly no gunsmith. But one would think that checking bolt / lug lockup is kinda gunsmith 101. I mean it's kinda the heart of what you are paying for in a bolt rifle. Did he put the offending stock on that rifle? Or did he inherit the work from someone else?

I agree with the above comment, depending on the amount of contact, I probably would have held.

TTR

 

[mscott]

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. You don't have to be happy, but every smith (or any other profession out there) makes mistakes. I don't think you were in any danger, but am not really qualified to know for sure.

 

[EddieP]

Jut as an experiment, can you put a primed case in and see if it would have fired?

 

[weshowe]

Gents,

I had a good friend that had a .50 cal fire not entirely locked up...it de-gloved his hand and forearm up to the elbow. He lost a finger and a half. The skin was grafted back on to most of the area and he has some nasty scars to show for it. He still shoots and loads, tho'.
In fairness, the rifle was experimental and the flaw was corrected.

"Out of battery" firing is dangerous. Remember you're playing with 50K + pressure and the larger the cartridge the larger the gas volume.

Wes