Ruger Mk 2 First Round Feed Problem

[DW44VH]

I'm a new, and first time poster to this forum and would appreciate some suggestions on a problem I have with my MK 2. The first round of virtually every magazine FTF. When I drop the mag and cycle the bolt the round does not extract. I reinsert the mag and fire the gun it cycles without problem on the remaining rounds. If I count to 9 and insert a fresh mag, it again cycles fine. My impression is that the bolt isnt moving all the way closed on the first round, and is light striking the round. I did replace the firing pin and extractor with Volqartsen parts.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I'm a new, and first time poster to this forum and would appreciate some suggestions on a problem I have with my MK 2. The first round of virtually every magazine FTF.

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

When you chamber that first round, do you "slingshot" the bolt (pull it back to release the bolt stop and let it go on its own) or push the bolt release and let the bolt down gently? The former appears to be the preferred method--may even say so in the manual? There are many other reasons you may have your problem, but this is often one of the first "solutions" offered.

Also, be sure your chamber is clean, there are no burrs at its mouth, and the bolt face is clean (you may need to use a little "pick" type tool to get carbon build up out from around the extractor.) If you got a "tight" gun, it doesn't take much to glom things up until it breaks in some.

W/o seeing the gun, those are the first two ideas that come to mind for me. Good luck!

Rick C

 

[DW44VH]

Thanks Rick. I appreciate the input. I have a very clean 20 + year old pistol. The bolt operates smooth as silk. I depress the bolt release and allow the bolt to sling shot. It just doesn't seem to fully seat the first round, then misfires. I even bought a new mag. this week to see if that was the problem. Same thing happened. My inclination is to try a new recoil spring assembly first. Then possibly it's gunsmith time to look at the ramp. By the way I got a dental pick from my dentist to use when cleaning those hard to reach areas...works like a champ.

 

[rugerguy]

you say you did replace the extractor?? seems to me the problem is in the bolt closing "completely" ...is the extractor actually going into its slot in the chamber area?? see this with improerly fitted extractors, too long (not cut and fit) for the slot............if it worked with the old, original parts, this will tell you something......yes, gotta clean this slot as well as the bolt face for the proper "fit" of the case head(rim) in the chamber area......

 

[DW44VH]

I did replace the extractor with the Volquartsen, I replaced it because of this issue with the factory parts. The new parts didn't solve the issue.(firing pin/extractor) Does anyone know it the recoil spring assembly should be fit in the bolt with tension? Mine just drops in. I know I'm grasping at straws here, it might be time for the gunsmith.

 

[Richbaker]

Thanks Rick. I appreciate the input. I have a very clean 20 + year old pistol. The bolt operates smooth as silk. I depress the bolt release and allow the bolt to sling shot. It just doesn't seem to fully seat the first round, then misfires. I even bought a new mag. this week to see if that was the problem. Same thing happened. My inclination is to try a new recoil spring assembly first. Then possibly it's gunsmith time to look at the ramp. By the way I got a dental pick from my dentist to use when cleaning those hard to reach areas...works like a champ.

"Slingshot" means to pull the bolt back and release it, the bolt release is spring-loaded and will move out of the way with a loaded mag in place. If you are NOT doing this, then 2 things happen... The bolt does not seat against the breechface, and the bolt release will eventually wear excessively and stop working. IIRC, the manual instructs to pull back and release the bolt...

 

[kacher1]

//Quote: I depress the bolt release and allow the bolt to sling shot. //Quote

That sure is contradictory ain't it!

 

[DW44VH]

While I appreciate you correcting my misuse of terminology kacher1, perhaps you could offer a useful suggestion regarding the problem?

 

[hpman66]

While I appreciate you correcting my misuse of terminology kacher1, perhaps you could offer a useful suggestion regarding the problem?

+1 Just depressing the bolt release doesn't mean to "Slingshot". As Richbaker said, ....."Slingshot" means to pull the bolt back and release it, the bolt release is spring-loaded and will move out of the way with a loaded mag in place. If you are NOT doing this, then 2 things happen... The bolt does not seat against the breechface, and the bolt release will eventually wear excessively and stop working. IIRC, the manual instructs to pull back and release the bolt"..... Ditto on the "manual instructs to pull back and release the bolt".

You might want to try and disassemble the magazine and polish(about 150-200 grit emery abrasive) the area under the feed lips(where the rims contact the lips). If the magazines are fairly new, that area may be rough just enough to have trouble on the first round on a full magazine. Roll the abrasive on a dowel(just smaller than the rim of the .22LR) and polish till it smoothes up.

 

[DW44VH]

Wanted to thank all who helpfully posted to my question. I went to the range today and when properly slingshotting the bolt my problem was virtually eliminated. It was a great day.
We are never to old to learn, and rarely as smart as we think we are.

 

[Richbaker]

Glad to help...

 

[Rick Courtright]

Wanted to thank all who helpfully posted to my question. I went to the range today and when properly slingshotting the bolt my problem was virtually eliminated.

Hi,

Glad you found the solution so easily! Now you've gotta put some more rounds thru that gun--it seems Mk IIs always work better if they're shot a lot!

At least that's what a buddy told me when mine was new and a touch grumpy, while his hardly EVER gave him a minute's worth of trouble. He said "Mine's got 10 times as many rounds as yours, and yours causes 10 times as much trouble. There's a crossover on that graph!"

He was right...

Rick C

 

[DW44VH]

Right or wrong, any excuse to shoot is ok with me Rick. I just bought 5250 rds of 22lr for a decent price, time to make a dent in it.

 

[kacher1]

While I appreciate you correcting my misuse of terminology kacher1, perhaps you could offer a useful suggestion regarding the problem?

OK, here is one. And I apologize for the "jab."

//Quote: Does anyone know it the recoil spring assembly should be fit in the bolt with tension? Mine just drops in. I know I'm grasping at straws here, it might be time for the gunsmith.//Quote

Recoil spring is under some tension and should not just "drop in" rather should take a slight depression of the fork to seat it. I have installed 6 or 7 on my bolts and all needed that tension to install.

 

[DW44VH]

I ordered a recoil spring earlier in the week, just because 1.) the pistol is 30 years old and 2.) when I viewed mk2 bolt work on you tube the spring did seem to be under tension. For the price of a new one replacing it can't hurt. Thanks again.

 

[DW44VH]

OK, the arrival and installation of the recoil spring has posed another question. It seems like the new recoil spring sits taller than the old one and I could hear it rub as I seated the bolt.(It was clearly the spring rubbing.) Is this normal with a new recoil spring assembly, or am I setting myself up for problems? Should I apply gun grease to the top of the recoil spring? Any ideas, or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Bullseye57]

That depends on which part of the spring assembly sits taller. Is it the front part that fits into the bolt? Or is it the back part that fits up against the bolt stop pin?

R,
Bullseye

 

[DW44VH]

it seems like only the spring sits taller...everything else looks ok. It was only on insertion of the bolt into the receiver that I heard it rub. Cycling the bolt by hand now feels ok.

 

[Bullseye57]

Add a drop or two of oil and you should be all right.

R,
Bullseye

 

[DW44VH]

OK...Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated.

 

[Rick Courtright]

OK...Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated.

Hi,

I'd extend Bullseye's advice about a spot of oil to the bolt itself, too. Sometimes it only takes the tiniest bit to really "free things up." Some people will give the bolt just the tiniest touch of grease, but that can sometimes lead to collecting crud and slowing the bolt's action. That could bring you right back to square one where the thread got started! Don't want that...

Good luck!

Rick C