PSL problem

Finally got the PSL out for a day of shooting after refinishing etc. the thing some time ago. When I refinished it, I poured all kinds of WD-40, hot (almost boiling water), brake cleaner, and acetone over and through it to get out the cosmoline.

Anyway, not sure if the cosmo was the issue, but got one round of Hotshot down the barrel to the demise of an unhappy watermelon and noted that the bolt stayed home...locked into the chamber without extracting the cartridge. I broke the bind loose by hitting the charging handle with a rock. I remembered that I had forgotten to clean the cosmo out of the mag. I was using but doubt that it could transfer enough gunk to the chamber to stop things up...I tried it again and got the same result...a single-shot psl...when I had the front gas block and sights realigned by a gunsmith, he assured me that the gas port hole was not covered/blocked when he rotated things around and repinned.

Any ideas why the bolt stayed home and wouldn't extract etc.?

Thanks,

P.E.

I would double-check that the gas port is not partially blocked – since you mention that you had the gas block realigned. After that, inspect your shell casing for any sign of a “burr” in the chamber. Also take a close look at the rim of the shell case, as there should be plenty of evidence of the extractor pulling on the rim. If you don’t see anyplace where the extractor pulled the case rim – then I’d seriously consider that there was insufficient gas pressure to cycle the action, but you did mention that it sounds like the case is hanging up in the chamber since you needed to use a rock on the charging handle.

I agree with Slick in that it seems that the only answer could be that the gas system is blocked somehow, or that there is a possible leak somwhere. However, as Slick pointed out, you shouldn't have needed a rock to eject the casing manually if it was just gas system blockage or leaking. You have tried cleaning the gas system and putting it back on already I presume?

Also, out of curiosity, what grain ammunition were you shooting at the time?

Thanks guys, the only things I could come up with were what you were saying...blocked, or partially blocked, gas port; and/or, some kind of interference in/from the chamber (e.g., a burr, pitting, or cosmo etc.)...

I was using the Hotshot softpoint stuff from Romania? that was noted as being 150 grain on the box...the cartridges appeared to have a sealant? and I wondered if it was binding things up...

Anyway, it is back at the smith who moved the block et al so we'll see what he comes back with....

Regards, P.E.

Will it hand cycle properly?

only if i use a mallet/rock to force it open to extract a case...the case came out when I did that...

yes, take out the magazine and chamber/cock it, then let let the charging handle fly...it will certainly do that...

sounds like not enough gas to me. Fal's do this when undergassed, they shortstroke and then ram the partialy extracted, and now expanded case back into the chamber and you have to do the pogo stick with the gun to get the case out.

If it hand cycles fine with dummy ammo, without firing, id say that was it. Try cleaning out the gas port with a small drill bit and wire. If that doesnt fix it, maybe the gas port and bas block are mis aligned

Uh guys, I'm learning about these rifles but if he has to hit the carrier to open then it sounds like the case is bulging and there could be a headspace issue or something wrong with the chamber. Another possibility is a buildup of cosmoline or laquer in the chamber.

Thoughts?

I'm with Ronin on this one. Even if this rifle has a gas issue it should hand cycle. Have you tried any other ammo than HotShot? I've never tried any of it before, mainly because I've heard somewhat sketchy reviews. I guess you could take the bolt and carrier off and just slide a bullet into the chamber to see if it gets hung up. I would try some other ammo first before I spend alot of money somewhere else. One more thought. You say that you refinished the rifle. Did you just refinish the wood or did you refinish the metal on the gun as well? If you did any refinishing of the metal are you sure that you did not spray anything into the chamber? It probably would not take much to cause some serious problems. Just my two cents. Hope you get it all worked out.

Thanks Ronin...no, I just refinished the wood...but will clean out/polish the chamber if the smith doesn't as a precaution and use some Bulgarian I have around to see how things pan out...it was already headspaced checked and got a pass so we'll see what comes up...will post the result when I know more.

Again, thanks guys for your ideas, it helps!

Have a good one.

Do you have a couple types of ammo to try? Maybe the batch you have has the cartridge lacquer sealant applied thicker than normal for some reason. At least I am assuming they applied a sealant to the cartridge.

Well, just got a call from the smith this am...the gas port was a few thousands too small...he opened it up and now its kicking out the brass from what he says...next stop, when able...the range to see if it works fine...hopefully it isn't open too much and setting up a receiver/trunnion pounding problem.

I would try other ammo as well. I had terrible luck with hotshot.