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I would say that the number one email question that we receive from Surplusrifle.com readers is:
"I had my 98 Mauser bolt out of my rifle to disassemble and something happened and now I can't get the bolt back into the rifle."
First - take a deep breath and relax. Actually and most likely you un-cocked the bolt. This is a very common mistake that is easily remedied. I have tried a couple hundred of times to explain how to fix this through emails and have been somewhat successful, but I decided (and it sure took me long enough) to make a short "How-To" article that contains clear and concise pictures with instructions.
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| 1) Figure 1 shows a typical 98 style Mauser bolt with the safety in the middle position ready to be removed from the receiver to be disassembled and cleaned. Note that the cocking sleeve protrudes out of the rear of the bolt. This means the bolt is cocked. 98 Mauser bolts cock when you open them. If for some reason the bolt becomes un-cocked while outside the rifle or carbine - good luck getting it back in without first re-cocking it. |
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2) In figure 2 the cocking sleeve is not protruding. This means that the bolt is no longer cocked.
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3) Figure 3 shows the bottom side of the bolt. The screw driver is pointing to the sear lug. Note that the sear lug is resting all the way forward and the cocking sleeve is recessed.
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4) Take a screwdriver and grip the bolt as shown in figure 4 above. The screw driver needs to rest below and firmly against the bottom of the sear lug. While using the screw driver to lift the sear lug, the cocking sleeve will protrude beyond the bolt sleeve (as shown above).
It will take considerable strength to pull back on the cocking sleeve. This is because the cocking sleeve is attached to the rear of the firing pin. When you pull back on the firing pin you are compressing the main spring.
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5) Now here is the tricky part: While you are pulling the cocking sleeve back via the sear lug you want to rotate the bolt sleeve clockwise until it locks into place (it has rotated as far as it can). You will here an audible click when it locks into place.
The bolt is now cocked again. You can release the sear lug and the cocking sleeve should remain protruding from the rear of the bolt sleeve.
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| 6) Rotate the extractor on the bolt until it is positioned over the bolt's right bolt lug. |
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| 7) Last step - return the bolt to the rifle or carbine and you can start all over again. |
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