Hey guys, I'm pretty interested in rifles, particularly bolt actions, and I've been trying to find out just how everything works on the inside. Obviously I know that a pin strikes the cartridge to ignite the powder and send the projectile, but I want to know about all the parts and how they work. What exactly is the action? How is it connected to the trigger? If I took the rifle apart, what would I see? Why are bolt actions usually more accurate than semi autos? Any input would be greatly appriciated.
Parts of a rifle
- Thread starter oneshotOG
- Start date
edit: sit down and read through the manual, it will be very helpful.
The action is basically the bolt, bolt handle, and all of the parts contained inside, and the receiver that houses the bolt and serves as a mounting point for the barrel, there is usually a spring inside the bolt that is compressed upon cycling the bolt. This force is released on the firing pin which then contacts the primer on the casing.
The trigger group will be attached to the base of the action. The safety systems will vary between firearms. I would advise you to not take these things apart unless you know what you are doing.
With an unloaded bolt action. Check to make sure its unloaded again. Take the safety off, open the bolt, pull the trigger and keep it pressed while pulling the bolt and it should come straight out the back of the rifle. You can get a look at how it works. Some bolts can be disassembled easily with the help of certain tools, be warned that if you decide to take it apart there are springs under pressure inside of it. I wouldn't advise doing it unless you need to change out some part of it because of failure. Bolt goes back in the same way it came out.
The action and barrel can be removed from the stock by removal of probably 2 screws on the underside of the stock, I am sure some require more. Once removed the action can be pulled away from the stock. The action will have the trigger group attached to it. The savage accu-trigger is adjusted by a special little wrench they provide, other adjustable triggers are probably adjusted in a similar manner. Don't take the trigger assembly or safety apart unless you know what your doing, but simply taking the action off the stock will give you a pretty good idea of whats going on. The action will still function with the stock off, cycle the bolt and pressing the trigger a few times is worth it to know how it operates.
The most basic answer for why bolt actions are more accurate than semi auto rifles is that there are less moving parts, expanding gasses are only being used to drive the bullet in a bolt action, but a semi-auto uses expanding gas to shoot the bullet and drive the action.
Don't be afraid to take the stock off the action, it will require only an appropriately sized screwdriver. It goes back on the same way it went on. In the best case scenario, these screws should be torqued down to a specific tightness. I generally go until they are not going to go anywhere, but without forcing them. Even snugness for both of them.
The action is basically the bolt, bolt handle, and all of the parts contained inside, and the receiver that houses the bolt and serves as a mounting point for the barrel, there is usually a spring inside the bolt that is compressed upon cycling the bolt. This force is released on the firing pin which then contacts the primer on the casing.
The trigger group will be attached to the base of the action. The safety systems will vary between firearms. I would advise you to not take these things apart unless you know what you are doing.
With an unloaded bolt action. Check to make sure its unloaded again. Take the safety off, open the bolt, pull the trigger and keep it pressed while pulling the bolt and it should come straight out the back of the rifle. You can get a look at how it works. Some bolts can be disassembled easily with the help of certain tools, be warned that if you decide to take it apart there are springs under pressure inside of it. I wouldn't advise doing it unless you need to change out some part of it because of failure. Bolt goes back in the same way it came out.
The action and barrel can be removed from the stock by removal of probably 2 screws on the underside of the stock, I am sure some require more. Once removed the action can be pulled away from the stock. The action will have the trigger group attached to it. The savage accu-trigger is adjusted by a special little wrench they provide, other adjustable triggers are probably adjusted in a similar manner. Don't take the trigger assembly or safety apart unless you know what your doing, but simply taking the action off the stock will give you a pretty good idea of whats going on. The action will still function with the stock off, cycle the bolt and pressing the trigger a few times is worth it to know how it operates.
The most basic answer for why bolt actions are more accurate than semi auto rifles is that there are less moving parts, expanding gasses are only being used to drive the bullet in a bolt action, but a semi-auto uses expanding gas to shoot the bullet and drive the action.
Don't be afraid to take the stock off the action, it will require only an appropriately sized screwdriver. It goes back on the same way it went on. In the best case scenario, these screws should be torqued down to a specific tightness. I generally go until they are not going to go anywhere, but without forcing them. Even snugness for both of them.
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A very good video demonstration of the basic mechanics filmed, most likely, around WWII for training purposes.
http://youtu.be/GJzXG7MYX1c
It was very insightful for me and I've watched it a few times.
Edit: Watching it now, yes, it was definitely during WWII for training purposes!
http://youtu.be/GJzXG7MYX1c
It was very insightful for me and I've watched it a few times.
Edit: Watching it now, yes, it was definitely during WWII for training purposes!
There are a number of assembly/disassembly manuals available from a number of authors. They give particulars and have photos to go along with each step. These manuals, accompanied by an exploding view with matching parts nomenclature, will give you insight on how they function.
madcratebuilder
New member
Google is your friend. Tons of manuals and videos online. Bolt actions are fairly simple.
Enfield No4 MkII with wood removed.
Enfield No4 MkII with wood removed.
Wow alright, thanks for all the great responses guys. You guys seem to know a ton about this stuff, especially you, alex. But I will probably just read through a ton of manuals and watch videos like the ones you posted. Once I'm really familiar I might try to take apart one of my junky .22s.
If you can get from your library or via inter library loan Stuart Otteson's, The Bolt Action Rifle, Vol. 1 & 2, you will get a detailed description and comparison of most of the popular bolt action rifles of the world.
Otteson does a fantastic job describing how the parts work and compares the strength and weaknesses of the actions.
Otteson does a fantastic job describing how the parts work and compares the strength and weaknesses of the actions.
While somewhat interchangable in conversation, be aware that the "action" refers to the type of operation, and the group of parts that make it work.
The receiver is the main piece of an action, and is called that because it is the piece that all the other parts are attached to. (receives all the other parts)
It is also the legally serial numbered part, and under US law is legally the rifle, whether the other parts (barrel, trigger group, stock, etc.) are attached, or not.
The receiver is the main piece of an action, and is called that because it is the piece that all the other parts are attached to. (receives all the other parts)
It is also the legally serial numbered part, and under US law is legally the rifle, whether the other parts (barrel, trigger group, stock, etc.) are attached, or not.