01/30 Replacement Bolt Handle

[KY Nabob]

Is anyone here using the bolt on replacement bolt handle for their 91/30?

Is it strong enough to survive sticky cases?

Does it work lose?

No I am not going to weld one on and no I am not going to pay more for a sniper bolt than I did for the rifle.  I just want to know if the bolt on unit works.

[mrussel]

Is anyone here using the bolt on replacement bolt handle for their 91/30?

Is it strong enough to survive sticky cases?

Does it work lose?

No I am not going to weld one on and no I am not going to pay more for a sniper bolt than I did for the rifle.  I just want to know if the bolt on unit works.

 Are you talking about the ATI ones that come with their scope mounts (or separately if you REALLY want to get that bubbafied look all by itself) If that's the one your talking about,its pretty much the cheapest thing I have ever seen. Its terrible. Its a lot thinner of a handle than it looks like in the pictures. The scope mount does not LOOK to bad (I don't know how it works,because I refuse to put it on at least until I decide what Im going to do for a bent bolt)

 Seriously,I kid you not,it really DOES look that bad,so bad in fact I have a hard time writing something that I feel properly coveys how bad it really looks. On the plus side,It does seem to match those cheap plastic ATI stocks with the raw injection molding seams that look like a childs toy.

 (did I mention I think it looks gawd awful)

 In summary,the ATI handle (at least to my eyes,Ive heard some say it looks better on the rifle. Probably like perhaps a cow pie might look better on your fender,as it might just be mistaken for mud) is something this cheap looking I would literally be embarrassed to take a gun it was installed on to the range. ("Oh,you have a scope on your 91-30" followed by that brief look as they see the handle. "It looks... good...")


 Heres a mount I have been considering. It claims you dont need to bend the bolt to use it,but I haven't found anyone who has tried it yet.  http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/firearm-accessories/side-rails/mosin-nagant-low-profile-side-combo-rail-w-weaver-rail.html

[KY Nabob]

I don't care how it looks.  This is a crap Russian 91/30 beater rifle with no collector value and holds no great mystique for me.  The guys at the range take a dump in their pants when they look at half the stuff I own.  Why should this be different. 

Right now it is wearing a flat spoon shaped protrusion screwed, bolted and JB Welded onto the cut off bolt stub. 

My worry is if the commercial handle will stay on the side of the bolt if I have to smack out a sticky case.

[TribReady]

I know I've seen replacement bolts online offered very cheap from individuals.

Of course, I'm not doing you any good because I can't remember where I saw it 

I know they're out there. Maybe try posting a "Want to Buy" on a military surplus forum. More than likely that's where I saw it (Parallax Bill's site would be a good start but there are others) 

I remember one guy had a plain old pdl file of all his stuff and extra parts you could download and email for what you wanted. Don't have his info anymore but he had every imaginable milsurp part for cheap. Hope it helps at least knowing they are out there if you can find them

[mrussel]

I don't care how it looks.  This is a crap Russian 91/30 beater rifle with no collector value and holds no great mystique for me.  The guys at the range take a dump in their pants when they look at half the stuff I own.  Why should this be different.  

Right now it is wearing a flat spoon shaped protrusion screwed, bolted and JB Welded onto the cut off bolt stub.  

My worry is if the commercial handle will stay on the side of the bolt if I have to smack out a sticky case.

 Ill sell you mine. What do you think a good price would be? I know Im not going to put it on mine so it might as well go to someone who needs it instead of up on ebay. For what its worth,Ive had people tell me that they hold ok. Then again,Ive had others say the screw will break off. I suspect the secret is getting a good screw. Not all bolts and screws are equal. There are different grades. My suggestion would be to get a grade 8 hex bolt that fits the hole you drill and tap and use that (I dont know where you could find a grade 8 countersunk screw). I would chuck it up in a drill and file it to fit the handle. (it wants a countersunk screw,but my guess is that they didnt worry too much about the quality if that screw) If you really want,you could file the top of the bolt round and cut a slot in it with a dremel tool. Metric bolts and screws come in classes,Ive seen 10.9 and 12.9. Heres a little more information.
 http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/materials-and-grades/bolt-grade-chart.aspx
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw#Mechanical_classifications

 That screw is going to be the critical part that will tell whether the handle will hold or not. Assuming you get a screw that's strong enough to hold,it shouldn't work loose if you put some red locktite on it. That stuff will keep the bolts from coming loose on the rod bearing caps in an engine.
 

[KY Nabob]

I already bought one.  I was debating on installation due to the flimsy handle.  The screw I can overcome. 

[gandog56]

All I've ever heard about the screw on bolt handles is that they are trash.

You can get a guy on ebay to do a much better job with your old bolt.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MOSIN-NAGANT-BENT-BOLT-HANDLE-PULL-RING-UPGRADE-COMBO-/140431665837?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b2612aad

[mrussel]

All I've ever heard about the screw on bolt handles is that they are trash.

You can get a guy on ebay to do a much better job with your old bolt.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MOSIN-NAGANT-BENT-BOLT-HANDLE-PULL-RING-UPGRADE-COMBO-/140431665837?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b2612aad

 I understand his point though,he just cant justify spending almost as much as the rifle for getting the bolt bent. Ive decided that for mine,Im going to go with a PU scope and mount (I found a place that has them,at least they say they will get some in next month) for 200. I'm going to do a proper bend job on it. Ill turn a new handle on the lathe,turning the end down to about 3/16",then mount the bolt on the face plate and drill a matching hole,then use an acetylene torch to weld it on. (Taking care to keep the rest cool enough) Ill then put it back on the face plate,get it centered,balance the whole thing and clean up the weld. Its alot of work,but it should create a very nice product. Im debating stamping "resnipered" prominently into the right side of the receiver so that should I ever decide to sell it,it will be obvious to next buyer that its not an original sniper.  Then again,its an ex sniper with the struck out scope serial number so its pretty obvious if you know what to look for. Still,I want a sniper Mosin and cant pay 1000 bucks for one,but I don't want to make a counterfeit.

 I do like his pull ring. I have not seen one on a Mosin before,but I had considered doing something very similar myself after I saw a K-31 with that kind of ring.