Dern it my 454 has problems

[donhuff]

I finally got around to shooting my 454 today and it was doing pretty good until I noticed it was want to snag a little when I pushed the lever forward and the bolt would get about half way back. I couldn't tell what was going on, but while I was looking at that problem, I noticed that the rim on my spent cases had a dimple in them. It lines up with that spot on the bolt face, on the outside of the ejector. At home I took it apart for a better look and can see that the bolt face is "caving in" from the outside edge toward the ejector hole, and the little part of the edge of the bolt face just outside of the ejector is a lot higher than the middle around the firing pin hole. Now that aint good!

Then I saw where the bottom back right edge of the bolt was hitting the hammer on it's way back. It was not doing that to begin with, and started after maybe 20 rounds. Then I could see where the forward edges of the breech bolt, where it pushes against the locking bolts, is beginning to batter and flaring out making the bolt run crooked. It's doing it on both sides too. It appears like the bolt is soft and cannot take the force of firing. And these were not strong loads for a 454 either. 260g LSWC and 14.0 Unique. They shot pretty good too. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.
Anyone ever hear of a soft bolt before?

[pricedo]

No ..........and there's no moss growing on the 335 grain hc lead bullets I'm pushing out of mine which is an older Amadeo Rossi PUMA.
I think I'd be shipping that gun back to BrazTech ASAP.
Doesn't sound too safe........better quit firing it before you wind up wearing that bolt.

[mr surveyor]

^^^ sounds like good advice to me^^^

something ain't right with that. I wonder if they had a bunch of bolts slip through without the proper heat treatment

[donhuff]

Yeap Pricedo, I think this one is beyond what I can fix with a file and polish. It will be the first gun I have ever sent back to the factory since I bought my first one in 1973.

It scares me to think of what it might have done if I had been shooting max loaded rounds.

The bolt face really confuses me cause every one of the spent cases shows evidence of the problem. I did have a few rounds loaded hotter at 27.0 - 2400 and the same 260g LSWC. when I shot the first magazine full, and looked at the primers, that's when I stopped shooting because the rim didn't look right. I wonder if the "proofing loads" shot at the factory, are what bent the bolt face. I guess they proof everyone they make.

[donhuff]

mr surveyor, That exactly what I'm thinking. It missed the heat treating. The locking bolts and receiver look fine, it's just the breech bolt that's giving in.

I really hate sending it back cause I just got finished filing, polishing and clipping springs and had it working really slick. I was going to shoot it some and then order the gunslinger spring kit to finish it off.

[Ranch Dog]

mr surveyor, That exactly what I'm thinking. It missed the heat treating. The locking bolts and receiver look fine, it's just the breech bolt that's giving in.

I really hate sending it back cause I just got finished filing, polishing and clipping springs and had it working really slick. I was going to shoot it some and then order the gunslinger spring kit to finish it off.

Your post has gotten my attention as I have started to shoot my TLC452-330-RF at max loads! So far no issues but there is no doubt the R92 is taking a beating at the design limits of the cartridge.

After the work we go through it would be a real bummer to have to send it back. Any chance of getting some pictures of the bolt before it heads south?

Hey, I noticed you have a "bullet" in your user info on the right side of the page! Thanks for your participation!

[donhuff]

Yes RD, I'll get some pic posted soon as I get off my butt and get started today.

I don't think it has much to do with the pressure as these loads were not that hot. I really think that it is just too soft. I might hit it with a file on the underside and compare it to one of my others.

Any hints about sending it back as I have never done that before. I read a couple of other post where you have told other people about the process. I hope I kept the receipt so I can prove when I bought it, if that matters. Will my "modifying" hinder the repair? I can touch up blue on the parts where I have polished the blue off if you think it matters.

Yeah, I saw that bullet the other day and wondered what happened, but I finally figured it out.

[Ranch Dog]

Any hints about sending it back as I have never done that before. I read a couple of other post where you have told other people about the process. I hope I kept the receipt so I can prove when I bought it, if that matters. Will my "modifying" hinder the repair? I can touch up blue on the parts where I have polished the blue off if you think it matters.

I would not bother touching anything up and it might surprise you as I doubt that they would replace any parts that don't need replacing. For instance, I doubt they will replace the springs.

This is how I would do it: RD Had Another Warranty Claim

[donhuff]

OK thanks, and that post makes it sound simple enough.

Since you mention springs. The ejector spring in this one was already cut shorter. Actually works just right. Cut to where it just barely puts a little pressure on the ejector when it's extended. Didn't look home made as the end was ground flat and square.

[donhuff]

I have a few pictures and some ideas/advice about future 92 buyers. I'm not very good with computers so I'm going to make several post so that I don't confuse everyone with a pic that does not go along with the text.

First off i'll start with the hulls since that was what tipped me off to something was not right.
First is the weaker load and at the 9:00 position you see that little depression. Not too bad and I thought that it was probably just something got under the rim when it went into the chamber. But then it was on all of them and after 20-30 it seemed to be getting deeper. Then I shot the stronger load and it was really deep and I knew something wasn't right,also the bolt started getting a snag bout half way back. That's when I stopped shooting, and took it home.