Why Won't My Savage 12 Bolt Close?

[1.618]

OK, I feel like a real dummy here.

Up to now, my experience with bolt CF rifles has been limited to Win 70s, Mauser 98s and a Sako or two.

Just got my Savage 12 F Class. Followed the directions to put in the bolt:

Hold back trigger, press and hold down the cocking indicator and insert the bolt.

Did that and it worked fine. But when I pushed the bolt forward, I hit this round black "button" thing in the bolt (shown in photo with red plastic rod pointing to it) before I was able to push the bolt forward enough to close it.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/843/ggiz.jpg

What gives? I tried to "unscrew" the black button but no-go. I can't seem to move it. And I don't see anything in the manual about it. Do I just chop it out of there with a fire ax?

HELP!

[sinman]

you need to cam that over, push hard with something solid and it will pop back in its "locked" position then it will slide back in.

[drybean]

you need to cock the bolt first
push the cocking pin down on a side off a table to cock the bolt

drybean

[Dennis]

you need to cock the bolt first
push the cocking pin down on a side off a table to cock the bolt

drybean

The best way, on a soft surface.

This has happened to all of us.

PITA when your shooting a match.

Dennis

[1.618]

Thanks fellas. That fixed it. I feel like a dope.

[1.618]

Just to make sure...I'm OK dry firing without a snap cap, just like with my M70 and M98 ... right?

I'm dying to try this trigger.

[BoilerUP]

At least it didn't bite your finger when it snapped down...like mine did 2 weeks ago...

[1.618]

Holy cow, straight out of the box, that trigger is SWEET! I can't wait to shoot this thing!

[BillPa]

Just to make sure...I'm OK dry firing without a snap cap, just like with my M70 and M98 ... right?



Welllllllll.......

Remember, when dry firing a Savage the firing pin slams into the back of the bolthead shaft. That hammer blow is absorbed by the bolthead retaining pin and can, may , will fracture where the pin travels through it. This doesn't happen when a pin strikes a primer, it stops the pin short.

Now I know, I know everyone, they're bothers, uncles and cousins three times removed all say "I never had a problem" but some have over the years. Its rare but......

You don't need some Hi-Tech cap, I use dummy cartridges with the primer pockets filled with RTV.

Bill

[1.618]

Thank you for the clarification, BillPa. I'll get or make a snap cap.

[bootsmcguire]

Glad you got it figured out and going. For yourself and anyone in the future that searches and finds this thread, here is an article on bolt tear down and reassembly that may be helpful.

http://www.savageshooters.com/content.php?266-How-To-Remove-A-Stuck-BAS-and-Disassemble-Bolt

[1.618]

Thanks, BootsMcGuire, I archived and saved that how-to for future reference.

Looks like you have a nice stable of rifles!

[bootsmcguire]

Thanks. I like my Savages.

Glad that link will be of help.

[FW Conch]

I agree with "boots". I use a fired case with a piece of pencil eraser stuffed in the primer pocket. Cheap insurance. ;-)

[shooterfpga]

I got mined locked as well several months ago when i first bought my rifle. It was a pain to reset it

[jonbearman]

Just a note,you cant reassemble the bolt with it in the cocked position.