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Posted: 9/14/2007 8:40:44 AM EDT
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So, I finally found a .458 Socom complete rifle and snatched it up. I have not had a chance to fire it yet, but when I tried to chamber a round it would go in and seem to lock up. I had to pull extremely hard to get it to eject, and I was wondering if this is something that is common with the big bore or if it is something I should be concerned about. Please let me know. Clint |
| Sounds like you have a genuine concern. Before you fire that monster, I would have someone take a good look at the headspace. Too small of a chamber?? It sounds like the bolt is slapping the cartridge hard enough into the chamber to slightly compress the brass. Your chamber is clean and DRY, correct? |
Well darn  Not really what I had in mind.Yes the chamber is clean and dry. The upper was supposedly unfired. |
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Buck, The gun/ammo combination should not be doing that. You did not mention what type or whos ammo you are using. It would really help to know if the rounds are factory or handloads. What I would do is try to definatively sort out the bind by taking a fresh round of ammo, and pehaps mark the heck out of it with a black sharpie. Including the bullet, if the ink will stick. Then run the round home, until it sticks. Then carefully eject the round and examine it closely. You should see some scrapes where it went up the ramp. What you really want to see is whether there are marks around the case neck/shoulder and/or marks around the diameter of the bullet. It is possible the headspace is wrong for the ammo you are using, and it is binding on the case, or it is possible the bullet is just seated too long for your throat, and it is binding on the bullet. Craig |
Craig, I'll help answer some questions, since buckfever34 isn't around right now. He told me that it is the older Corbon ammo, and the upper is one of Marty's builds for Castle Arms. |
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I echo what Bearbait1 said. The gun should not have such a tight fit as to require extreme amounts of force to get the bolt back. I would expect you have one of two things going on. 1) bad batch of brass form Corbon, the starline stuff did have a hicup somewhere along the line, which has been address and corrected. I would expect, knowing both Peter Pi Sr and Junior, that they would take care of you one way or another on this issue... 2) As Bfarrin1 said, check headspace, I would expect that as it was a Marty built upper that was already done. HOWEVER, anytime I buy a firearm, and the person claims its "new" and "unfired"... I tell myself, come on, how many times have I bought a gun, especially a unique one, a big bore as this case is and not fired it for kicks then turned around and sold it... exactly my point... Marty has the best customer service out there, Im sure if you send it his way, he would do a good diagnosis and hopefully be able to correct a problem if any existed. My initial thoughts would be toward the CorBon ammo, as I have yet to hear of ANY issus with the Castle Arms batch of uppers Marty shipped. |
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Buck and M4, The combination of Marty's build and the older Corbon ammo should certainly work without issue. I know Marty checks headspace, and fires each weapon with his custom builds. Older Corbon ammo should not have shoulder issues. I also know that Marty would check it over, I am just trying some suggestions to iron out brass v. seating as I suspect proper headspace guages are not handy. One other thing to look at would be to put some calipers or mic to the box of ammo, measuring right at the neck shoulder area. We could try and compare that to current factory ammo. I guess it could be possible that the shoulders got tweaked in the loading (not likely). You could also try putting a little grease on the neck shoulder area on one case, and on the bullet in another to again try and isolate the bind. Do not fire with any lube in these areas, this is only to assist in checking. I would also look at the bolt and if possible the extension to check for roughness or burrs. An obvious question, does it unlock smoothly without a round. Even if it does, the addition of a round could be placing just the wrong amount of forces on the bolt/extension to cause binding if a burr or roughness is present. You could try the grease on the bolt lugs/extension, again trying to isolate the bind. I hope Marty chimes in and confirms that all were test fired, but not necessarily checked for live round extraction. Heck it is possible if the gun is indeed unfired (lightly used), it just needs a little firing to smooth and settle some parts. Gas rings, cam pin, carrier, any may be suspect. Check them all for signs of roughness. Craig Edit: I just checked the link to the purchase. I would also check the lugs and bolt for that gawd awful green Krylon 
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I bet all of you are wrong  Dollars for donuts. Buckfever, take your bolt out, remove your extractor and replace it with M4Madness' ... bet the problem goes away ... or just try his entire bolt group. If it fixes the issue, it is a small issue with the profile of the extractor. Some of the Castle guns have been showing this issue ... also, make sure you install the extractor spring UPSIDE DOWN (small end into the extractor) contrary to the TM ... and no O-rings or D-fenders... that sucker needs all the room to move it can get. ALL uppers are tested FIRST with 10-20 dummy rounds for feeding and extraction from different mags. If they pass that test, THEN they go to live fire with at least 2 rounds, often more, of different flavors. Check the lug on the back of the extractor, see if it is showing any signs of metal to metal contact ... |
Thanks for chiming in, Marty.  Since Clint and I are only about 45 minutes apart, it would be no problem to swap bolts and let him see if that helps. I did add a Wolffe extra-power extractor spring (right side up) to mine, but it functions 100%. I checked it the other day when Clint mentioned his problem, and mine easily extracts live Wagner Accuswage rounds. So, he may just need another extractor from you if that is the culprit? |
Thanks for the reply, Marty. I don't have access to the gun right now as I left it in the vault of the gunshop I work at. If it does prove to be an extractor issue that needs attention is this a part I could buy from you? If not, could you let me know where to go to? I'm sorry for my ignorance as I'm not nearly as familiar with these Socom rifles as I should be. I just got to make sure I got this Boomstick ready for the November gun season! Clint |
I just called Clint after seeing your post, Marty. Should he go ahead and assume that it's the extractor and send it back, or should he wait until we can get together at a later date to try mine in his? He won't be back on Arfcom until tomorrow, so I thought I'd ask. |
How urgent is his need? Have him Email me with an address and I can get one out to see if it fixes the problem. |
Wow. That's what you call someone willing to stand behind a product. The need is not extremely urgent, as gun season is still a couple months off. Please tell me this, would it be ok to go ahead and test fire the upper? If you think it would be, I will try that and get back with you. If you think I should go ahead and change out the extractor before doing so, let me know and I will get you my address. Thanks for all help to all....I'm extremely gracious
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Theres a reason Marty is my gun builder of choice. Beyond excellent. |
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