- Thread starter clcustom1911
- Start date
@STR-4_uk don’t want it to sound like a rant, but this is supposed to be their “tactical” offering.
If you were ever in the military then you would know that weapons get dropped all the time, I’m not sure which one of us are you referring to as “user error” but certainly no bolt should break by having pressure applied to it.
As far as thousands of t3s out there...I’m sure not everyone with this problem is a member of SnipersHide or even let anyone but the Tikka CS know about it, so no way to say how widespread this issue is, what I know there are at least 2 people with identical metallurgical problem.
"tactical offering" is a reach at best. It's a $800 T3X in a chassis. These are isolated incidents, not anywhere close to the norm. Out of curiosity, what were you doing when you man handled it open?
The description is in the thread above, but basically stuck dummy cartridge touching lands
Hand, I’m not a small guy but definitely not Swartzenegger size
Update: Mitchell from Gunsmithing LTD (Beretta Authorized Service Center) got back to me this weekend, shipping the rifle to them tomorrow, will keep people updated on progress.
Update: Rifle arrived at Gunsmithing LTD yesterday, timer of repair starts
We had a guy shear off his TRG bolt handle in one of my Winter LR courses on Day 1. He might be a forum member here. Former 10th Mountain Division guy I first ran into at Sniper Adventure Challenge in 2013. I’ve shot TRG22s in .308 Win and TRG .338 LMs quite a bit in Finland, in much colder conditions. I do remember several of my Finnish friends mentioning that their confidence in the quality of the rifles went way down with the Beretta merger.
Handed him a loaner Surgeon 18” .308 IIRC.
I think once the rifle comes back repaired its going up for sale, I guess will move up to AI AT.
UPDATE: Gunsmithing LTD came back and stated that Tikka bolts are on national back order (hmm...... 
) and will be about a month before they get a new bolt in.
) and will be about a month before they get a new bolt in. Ummmm... send them that link to Midwest gun works LOL. In stockUPDATE: Gunsmithing LTD came back and stated that Tikka bolts are on national back order (hmm......
Tikka T3, T3X Tac Right Handed Bolt Assembly 12, Black
Check out the deal on Tikka T3, T3X Tac Right Handed Bolt Assembly 12, Black at MGW
@LongRifles Inc. is making replacement bolts. https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...lacement-tikka-t3-bolts.7044482/#post-9068263
Something tells me if LRI is making replacement bolts for the Tikka, there have been more than two failures.
The allure has always been for the ability to change bolt faces. I could be wrong, but that and other small changes like: extractor, better shroud, and fire control(?) plus the limited availability of factory bolts have been the main reasons for development.
A size "L" drill bit and a 5/16-36 tap will get you all the cartridge cases you want to fit the Hornady comparator. I haven't bought a case since I got the tap...
That's an expensive mistake. You can order a new bolt. There is no fixing that without botching the dovetail. I think a new bolt is like 275.00 or something crazy like that. I have a T3x also, and love it. I wouldn't deal with Berretta for the warranty though. This is not a warranty repair, so just buy a new bolt.
Which one of "us" are you referring to - there are 2 distinct issues, one is the dropped bolt, another is stuck bolt with a dummy round. The other issue is - if I got a new bolt, it doesn't mean that rifle would headspace correctly (it's possible, but not guaranteed)
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Should not be a difficult job for a competent TIG welder.
Its very likely it will headspace correctly.
Thank you Karen
That's some awesome welding. Glad it got repaired and worked out for you.
UPDATE - 6 months later.... still waiting on Tikka repair.... NO ETA
Fuuuuuuuuck. That sucks man. Really does.
I bought my TRG-22 for $2000 shipped and insured here last year and it had less than 500 rounds on it. I then sold my CTR.
You are 100% correct.
Might be time to just call LRI and get a replacement bolt....
Well add me to the list of people who have had this happen. Not sure what happened...if someone knocked it over or the wind was heavy but the gun ended up the ground from the shooting bench. The range requires us to have the actions open so derp.
Curious how the tig welded bolt has worked for clcustom1911, Also what type of material did they tig weld it with? My local place quoted me $80-100 to tig weld it. Not sure if I should go that route or just buy the LRI replacement.
Curious how the tig welded bolt has worked for clcustom1911, Also what type of material did they tig weld it with? My local place quoted me $80-100 to tig weld it. Not sure if I should go that route or just buy the LRI replacement.
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I had the weld done, however it held for only about 50 rounds. I bought LRI bolt after and sold the gun.
Oh wow ... That's not encouraging. I dropped mine off at the shop to get welded. Think I should not go that route. I know he wasnt goin to get to it for awhile so I can prob just get it back.
Also don't blame you for getting rid of it with that customer service. F them
I researched what the bolt was made of and they used that metal. 416 stainless? I believe. It's worked perfectly since.
I'm a lefty. So I had no choice but to weld. Lefty replacement bolts aren't a thing from anywhere.
Thanks for the context. I put a magnet against mine and it ended up sticking so not sure it's stainless though LRI did tell me they were stainless.
Ok just looked up 416 stainless so it is probably that! For me it's mainly cost because the replacement bolts are like $400 now
Welp, in case this happens to anyone else. Tig welding does not always seem to work, or maybe the guy I took it to messed up, or maybe it got damaged in the drop, but either way the bolt handle no longer slides into the dovetail. Looks like the geometry of everything to warped or slightly off angle.
Callin it a loss at this point and just buying a bolt from LRI
Callin it a loss at this point and just buying a bolt from LRI
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You can still get weld distortion tig welding. I would think it was more the welder and less the fact it was a tig welded.
yeah, possibly. Either way what's done is done and not gonna dwell. Maybe should have brought it to a gunsmith or something.
You can just shape it with a small file, make sure to keep geometry correct (Use front edge as a guide), it is common with welds to be just a bit off (very common if you are doing exotic historical weapon work from parts kits).
My problem was that the weld did not hold, but some file work was still needed to get everything to fit 100%.
My problem was that the weld did not hold, but some file work was still needed to get everything to fit 100%.
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Negative, Ghost Rider.
After the TIGing, I had to use a hand grinder to clear the center passage, and used different shaped needle files in the slot where the bolt slides into.
Make it work, you got this shit.
I didlol I think he mentioned already that he sold the gun off
LRI sent me a picture of my fleuted new bolt so that's nice
would not buy another Tikka, but the process of cleaning up the welds is the same. Below is the picture of my rewelded and cleaned up bolt.Attachments
I did
lol is the the one that broke again after 50 rounds?
Yes
Yup. 100% no issues.
