New member with a firing pin problem...

[Mojo Jim]

New member here, with a problem that I hope some Forum members can help resolve. It concerns a Ruger American Standard rifle in .270. Occasionally, while hunting or at the range, the rifle will fail to fire (click). When looking at the ejected cartridge, there is a very slight mark on the primer like it had a light firing pin strike. When that same cartridge is reloaded into the rifle, it fires fine. I don't believe it's the ammunition because only quality hunting rounds are fired through this rifle. This rifle has not been shot a lot, maybe 100+ rounds. I'm thinking the problem might be a dirty bolt/firing pin, or perhaps a weak spring (?). Are there reports of other F2Fs when shooting these rifles, or have I just been lazy and need to disassemble the bolt and give it a good cleaning? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[the_leper_colony]

New member here, with a problem that I hope some Forum members can help resolve...

Welcome to the forum! Hopefully some members with applicable experience will post a comment or three!

 

[rugerjunkie]

It doesn't take much to clean a bolt and maintain it. Start there and see if it corrects the problem. If it doesn't fix it , at least you have a clean bolt now!

 

[Mojo Jim]

I will begin by cleaning the bolt and firing pin. I was just curious if there were any reported issues with this F2F issue from other shooters.

 

[oliver507]

Welcome from North Carolina!

 

[Mobuck]

+1 on dismantle and clean bolt innards.

 

[Mobuck]

On second thought: not knowing if or how difficult disassembly of the American bolt is: just hose the bolt's orifices with BRAKE KLEEN, blow it out with compressed air, and re-lube with one of the non-clotting oil products. I've never had issues with using CLP on bolt innards but there are thinner viscosity lubes on the market if you're concerned.

 

[Mojo Jim]

That's what I'll try first, Mobuck. Ruger does not recommend total disassembly of the bolt.

 

[kmoore]

No one on here can do a correct diagnosis without handling the firearm. What you describe is a firing pin hanging up or slow at times. Why is it?
Clean up the best you can, try it again. If it is not 100% call Ruger or pay a qualified gunsmith to find out why it does that.

 

[bigbillyboy]

I would try cleaning it as suggested.

 

[recumbent]

There are utube videos that show step by step how to disassemble a Ruger American bolt. Watch a video or 2
and decide if you want to try it.

 

[Mobuck]

I can't remember how many various brand rifle bolts have come to me because the owner tried to dis-assemble/reassemble.