Tristar Raptor Bolt Latch Release is Stiff- no doubt
tagging in after searching if anyone else had the same issue. AND- adding this to the thread to update the next person:
Yes, the bolt latch release is stiff as a dickens. I had to hit it with my smithy hammer to get the bolt to go forward.
I tried the trick of pulling back a little, then pushing in the release- and a 50/50 success rate.
I just got the gun, took it apart and slicked it up (like it was a rifle- just custom)- and after putting it back together for a function check, the bilt just wouldn't go forward- unless I
hit it (LOL). It's not a removable part that you can polish up. I took it to the range today to break it in further for the semi-action (high brass/00 buck)- so I can get it ready for the lower 7 1/2s I'm gonna load for clay/skeet/trap)- as recommended to ease the failure to feed/fire/eject issues ("stovepipes") on these Turk semis...
after a few 5x5 shooting, the latch did start to get easy and easier for release (as needed because it locks open after last round)...just a stiff bugger. I found out these "issues" also:
1) Dry lubing is ok (after polishing up to 3K paper)- but this gun is like an
M2-Ma Duece Machinegun, and will
need oil-oil-oil after a few 5x5 shoots. As I kept shooting, stovepiping developed and it looks dry as a desert sand.
#2)- also like a Ma-Duece, it
cycles a "ghost round" of sorts. You load, charge, pull trigger, the bolt goes forward further in the breech. Charge again, and NOW, now there is a round ready for firing. Be careful...Try it first at the range (safely) and you'll see- it'll cycle - set bolt after 1st trigger (no boom), then charge again- and then you are ready for live fire. Oh yeah, and you can't load up and sneak another (5+1)- that ramp stays down after that first cycling. Just posting this in case others Google search, and find this thread on the Bolt Latch release...thanks!