Insert mag, bolt closes, fires M1A1

[Dan K]

Last night I was out back, SMG in left hand on pistol grip, insert mag, seat with palm of hand, bolt closes, bang. Cycles, bolt locked to rear, ready to fire. Slug went into the base of where the grass meets the 100 yds of dirt I have piled up out back. No injuries.

 

Safety off, selector full. I am absolutely sure bugger hook off trigger and even if it was I would have got more than one round since it was set to full before I could have reacted.

 

I have not torn the lower apart, I cleaned and lubed about 100 rds ago. I am thinking replacing sear spring and other lower springs. I have not been able to duplicate it with dummy rds. SMG functions normally. Bolt does not close if you tap the butt stock on floor either.

 

Ideas?

[reconbob]

Somehow prior to this event the sear had moved down so it was

just barely holding the bolt back and was stuck in that position. Dirt?

Weak spring? Kinked spring? That the impact of slapping the mag home

was enough to trip it. indicates that the sear was almost fully lowered.

 

The sear did not pivot down on its own. As you know when you pull

the trigger the sear drops almost 3/16 of an inch. Some aspect of handling

and manipulation of the parts left it in the hair trigger situation - in other

words - it was stuck. The question is why? When you take the trigger frame

off the receiver you'll get a good look. Let us know what you find...

 

Bob

[deerslayer]

Is it a west Hurley? Has it ever run on without stopping when you release the trigger?

[timkel]

A good reminder about safety on the line.

[gijive]

Last night I was out back, SMG in left hand on pistol grip, insert mag, seat with palm of hand, bolt closes, bang. Cycles, bolt locked to rear, ready to fire. Slug went into the base of where the grass meets the 100 yds of dirt I have piled up out back. No injuries.

 

Safety off, selector full. I am absolutely sure bugger hook off trigger and even if it was I would have got more than one round since it was set to full before I could have reacted.

 

I have not torn the lower apart, I cleaned and lubed about 100 rds ago. I am thinking replacing sear spring and other lower springs. I have not been able to duplicate it with dummy rds. SMG functions normally. Bolt does not close if you tap the butt stock on floor either.

 

Ideas?

Dan K,

 

Agree with Recon Bob, sounds like the sear lever was depressed and not holding the bolt properly. When the gun went off you may have released your finger from the trigger causing the trip lever to push the sear back up causing the bolt to lock. I would replace the sear and sear lever spring.

[Dan K]

Deerslayer, this is a wartime Savage M1A1. No, it has functioned as designed since I got it. The previous owner claims never to have fired it.

[Dan K]

I found the sear spring weak and the sear lever spring was about an eighth of an inch shorter than a GI one. You guys called it, thanks again.

 

I also replaced the trigger and disconnector springs while I was in there and replaced the main op spring.

 

I'll go test fire out back later when it cools off.

[TD.]

Dan K.,

Forum member Phil Askew has NOS springs for the frame. These are not used springs out of the parts guns that were imported several years ago but new springs out of factory sealed packets. Everyone should have a spare set on hand. Unfortunately, the All Thompson Show & Shoot was cancelled and I don't believe Phil will be at the TCA Show & Shoot. However, Phil does mail order.

[Dan K]

I will look him up, thanks, TD.