Winchester 52 action jammed

[Madisonian]

I have a Winchester 52D target that I hadn't touched in probably 15 or 17 years, and looking at it this morning I found the action somehow jammed. The bolt was open in storage. I closed it, re-opened, it seemed to cock. Safety won't move definitively. Won't fire. Since I can't fire it to de-cock, I can't remove the bolt.

Anyone familiar with these have any ideas?

Thanks,

M

 

[PatMcD]

So the safety won't go to the off position?

If you can still manipulate the bolt, try cocking it again and holding the trigger back as you close the bolt.


It's been 15 years, so don't forget you need to push the trigger forward to remove the bolt.

 

[Madisonian]

So the safety won't go to the off position?

If you can still manipulate the bolt, try cocking it again and holding the trigger back as you close the bolt.


It's been 15 years, so don't forget you need to push the trigger forward to remove the bolt.

It's cocked, I can't uncock it or fire it. Yes, I know you have to push the trigger forward to remove the bolt, but that only works when the bolt is uncocked.

I may just have to take this apart - maybe take the trigger off? Or, try to uncock the bolt somehow.

 

[PatMcD]

If the safety is off, and pulling the trigger won't fire it, I'd hold back the trigger and rap the bolt with a brass hammer or something to see if that sets it off. Must be caked-up grease/ rimfire residue/rust holding things up. Maybe shoot some PB Blaster in there and let it sit to see if it loosens things up.

 

[Madisonian]

Got it! Bolt and trigger were both gummed up. I ended up pushing on the rear of the bolt with the trigger pulled. When it went in, I pushed the trigger forward and opened the bolt and withdrew it. Wow, I'm surprised things got so gunked up!

Thanks,

M