Firing issues

[leonidas]

I went to go shoot my new-to-me CETME and I didn't get the pleasure of firing it due to bolt issues. According to the seller it fired fine and does not have a ground bolt. I don't believe it's a mag issue either. The bolt and the bolt head do not meet when i rack a round. First image (as crappy as it is) shows the bolt from the side with a round in chamber. Second is from under with round in pipe. I have checked the assembly of the bolt, everything is cleaned and lubed. Help me!! (sorry for crappy cell phone pics but it gives you the general idea):wall:

[richl]

take the bolt head off the bolt ... then with the trigger pack off. drop the bolt down in the receiver..will the bolt go down all the way??? if so the problem is in either the rollers or the bolt face ... have you taken it apart ??? is there a gouging or mared parts ??? anything look out of place ....

[leonidas]

take the bolt head off the bolt ... then with the trigger pack off. drop the bolt down in the receiver..will the bolt go down all the way??? if so the problem is in either the rollers or the bolt face ... have you taken it apart ??? is there a gouging or mared parts ??? anything look out of place ....
Yes, the bolt will drop down all the way. I have taken it a part a few times since then and made sure everything was in place. Nothing marred or broken. The bolt face will grab the round and extract it but it won't completely close in order to fire the round. It's lubed up fine too.

[woofert]

...but, have you checked the chamber for a seperated case?

....or possibly something like a bullet obstructing the barrel just ahead of the chamber?

......or is your trunion canted so your bolt head isn't engaging it square?

Woofert

[Seattlefungus]

I had one do that with a worn ejector. It would slip from the slot in the bolt ans prevent the bold from locking into battery, but only when I had a mag in. I pulled it and replaced it with a new one and it fires fine now. In the one picture,(a little fuzzy) but it looks like the ejector is off track?

[jfowl31]

If it closes on an empty chamber but not with a round... Im saying theres a separated case in te chamber most likely.

If its not that, check for the ejector binding.

If its not that, check for a bent recoil rod.

ALSO, Just in case you didnt know, to chaber a round, you must either lock the charging handle back and slap it and let it fly, or pull it back and manually let it fly from the farthest rearward position. It takes the full force of the spring to chamber and lock up. If you are doing this, then check the other things above.

Could also be that the rollers are contacting somewhere alogn the way and slowing it down, but if that were the case, it wouldnt close on an empty chamber.

my votes for a separated case in there if it will never lock up with a round.

[bullseye]

Sounds like the seller might not have been too honest with you, do you know him well? you might just measure the bolt head anyway then check the gap too. Start with the easy stuff then move up to the more involved. Measure the rollers to see what size you have. It is always good on these rifles to know all your specs just to feel comfortable, ie: bolt gap, roller size, bolt head length. Sounds to me like you will find a piece of a case in the flutes. Get her apart then get a good light and look to see if you can see the flutes, if not, there is your problem. Hope it is that simple, if not, let us know.

[TS308]

Hello,

if you have a split case you can look through the ejection port and into the chamber , if you have a case in there you will be able to see about 3/8 of the chamber and then the case you can feel it by sticking your little finger in the chamber , i know i just went through splitting a case .

TS

[leonidas]

Hello,

if you have a split case you can look through the ejection port and into the chamber , if you have a case in there you will be able to see about 3/8 of the chamber and then the case you can feel it by sticking your little finger in the chamber , i know i just went through splitting a case .

TS
All you guys rule!! It's a broken shell casing inside. I thought I couldn't see all the the fluting and sure enough, i was able to get a good look inside and sure enough that's what it was. Also when i hand put a round in and pulled all the way back and let go it just didn't seem right. All i need now is a broken shell extractor (= And I do want to learn more about my rifle's specs and whatnot, what are good things to measure when it comes to bolt gap, bolt head length, etc for CETME's?? I know there is a lot of stuff being put back on the forum.

Again you guys are awesome!! I was so bummed when I went shooting today I just packed up and left after a few rounds with the SKS and the mosin.

Bravo.

[leonidas]

Here's another pic by phone I was able to wrestle to get a pic, way better than the others, but you can see the rim of the broken shell in the chamber, next to the red arrow (laptop arrow (= ). Just to the right you can see the brass color so I you can tell it's a broken shell.

[bullseye]

Glad it was something relatively simple.

[cimmaronkid]

You might be able to get that casing out by inserting a cleaning rod down the muzzle without anything on the end and catching the case mouth with the front edge of the rod and gently tapping on the rod to drive it out. Like I said, it might work and get you back on the range quicker.

[cma g21]

...All i need now is a broken shell extractor (=...

Always a good idea to have one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=546439

[M1 Tanker]

I would get a broken shell extractor. Right tool for the job in my option.

We have added a Cetme FAQ as a sticky in the Cetme forum. It has many of the same things the old forum had.

[bataanboy]

When I first got my CETME I too had a case seperate. It popped right out with a cleaning rod and plastic bore brush. I've not had any trouble with mil-spec cased ammo, the ammo I was using was'nt. Be careful using .308 Winchester commercial ammo, the brass is thinner and pressure may be higher.

[leonidas]

When I first got my CETME I too had a case seperate. It popped right out with a cleaning rod and plastic bore brush. I've not had any trouble with mil-spec cased ammo, the ammo I was using was'nt. Be careful using .308 Winchester commercial ammo, the brass is thinner and pressure may be higher.
I tried putting a rod down with no attachment to see if i could catch the lip but to no avail. I have South African 7.62, it's cheaper than winchester anyways (= I am awaiting an extractor as we speak. I might give it a go again.

Thanks again for help and input.

[leonidas]

Just an update for anyone who would like to know, I received my BSE from Tapco today (took 2 days from GA, not bad) and was able to extract the broken shell. :champion:
From the thickness (or should i say thinness) of the shell, the previous person must have fired commercial ammunition but i can't prove this since it was only the top half.

Now that it is out i can go out and fire my boom stick, finally. Going to my bro's this weekend in Seattle area and go shooting. :g3: Looks like Tapco to be pretty nice, fast and easy. Got a front sight adjuster for my iron sights as well.

[bullseye]

glad to hear that, let us know how it shoots and bring pics back. video would be nice too. :)

[Allwater]

Coming over to the crazy side of the state, eh? Well, I'll be sure to keep an ear out for ya - hahaha

I shot mine for the first time last weekend down at the range at Ft. Lewis and it was loud as hell!!! It sure turned some heads at the range - and I met a ton of folks - Cetme is the ultimate ice-breaker - hahaha


Good luck!

Sean