m77 .243 misfires

[dwd]

I bought this rifle, used, last year and loved it. Last year I killed 4 deer in 5 shots. This year my son is carrying it and after a couple of complaints that the gun is not working I took a look at it. And, sure enough, it doesn't work most of the time. When dry firing, it only allows the bolt to move a little. I took the bolt out and cleaned it, still didn't work. I took the trigger guard off and it acted like it was going to work but after a few cycles it quit working again. I took the stock off but I don't know how to take the trigger assembly out. I couldn't get the trigger to function at this point but I'm not sure if I needed the bolt in to make it function.
Any ideas what I have wrong?

 

[427mach1]

You say you took the bolt out and cleaned it, but did you remove the firing pin and clean out the firing pin channel? Could there be some crud keeping the firing pin from completing its forward motion? Are there firing pin marks on the primers of the rounds that didn't fire?

 

[dwd]

yes, I took the bolt apart and flushed it out with gun scrubber. Am I supposed to lube it?
When I took the bolt apart I had two pieces. Do I need to disassemble further?

 

[427mach1]

I would apply a light coat of oil to the firing pin and any moving parts in the bolt and on the locking lugs. I don't know the M77 well enough to say if you should take it apart further. I would be very careful around the trigger mechanism, however. Some of them have many parts, pins, and springs that can suddenly liberate themselves. I would get an exploded view diagram of it before continuing.

 

[OldRugerMan]

Most problems I've found with the trigger have to do with removing the action from the stock and then the trigger guard hangs up on the side of the trigger - holding it so the rifle won't function correctly. If the firing pin falls when the bolt is closed I'd say the trigger is being held back. Try the function of the barreled action while out of the stock - if it functions OK that way but not in the stock then the trigger is being held by the trigger guard. This is caused by the stock warping a few thousands due to weather. Just a thought (and experience!).

 

[dwd]

I never thought of trying the bolt with stock off, but it didn't work.
I put the bolt in with the stock off, pulled the trigger, and it still didn't work. But I found out that if you put quite a bit of pressure on the back of the bolt with your thumb while you pull the trigger it will work.
I am thinking it is in the sear. It acts like it is dragging but when it gets far enough out of the way it works okay.
What do you guys think?

 

[dwd]

Do I need to send this rifle to Ruger to be fixed?

 

[427mach1]

Once you have done all you can do/are comfortable doing..... Since you bought it used, and I assume it is not covered under warranty, I would look for a local gunsmith that is familiar with that particular model. Ruger might charge you for the repair and you will have the hassle and expense of shipping, too. Anyone know what the turn-around time is for Ruger repairs to rifles? Someone can correct me on the warranty information; I'm more familiar with Ruger handguns than I am with their rifles.

 

[luvs2hunt62]

I have sent two rifles to Ruger that I bought used. They repaired the problem and did other things as well with absolutely no charge, including replacing a lost part that popped out when I tried to take one apart. I'd sy call Ruger customer service--you'd be pleasantly surprised

 

[427mach1]

I have sent two rifles to Ruger that I bought used. They repaired the problem and did other things as well with absolutely no charge, including replacing a lost part that popped out when I tried to take one apart. I'd sy call Ruger customer service--you'd be pleasantly surprised

That is really good service - how long ago was this? Worth a try anyway!

 

[luvs2hunt62]

427, the first was about 10 years ago--It was a stainsess all-weather where the safety had fallen off and the previous owner had lefr it in a wet gun case Ruger installed a new safety, polished all the discoloration(rust) off the finish, and smoothed out the trigger----no charge

the second was 2 years ago, I BOUGHT A #1 2OO YR LIBERTY MODEL WITH A CRACKED STOCK, REALLY ROUGH TRIGGER, AND A MISSING EXTRACTOR SPRING. ALL REPAIRES, BEAUTIFUL REPLACEMENT STOCK, NO CHARGE

 

[dwd]

Well, it's off to Ruger with this rifle. I called customer service and they said this rifle is getting old, that they may not be able to fix it, if they can't then they'll give me credit towards a new rifle. Or send it back to me.

 

[luvs2hunt62]

GOOD LUCK--I THINK YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WITH THE RESULT---

 

[GUNFUNCO]

I recently sent Ruger a Mini-14 I was having issues with. It was returned in less than 2 weeks and working beautifully and a bill for "no charge".

Great company with terrific customer service.

I have already bought another new Ruger as my way of giving back to such a great company.

 

[dwd]

Well, my rifle came home from ruger today. Gone 3 weeks by my count. Not too bad with two holidays in there.
They said they installed a new OT kit, firing pin spring, ejector spring.
What is an OT kit? overtravel? overhaul trigger?