Teach me about bolt action designs

[dkmatthews]

I am thoroughly familiar with the Mauser style turn-bolt, as I have owned numerous rifles on this design.

What I don't understand and where I'm looking for education is on the straight pull bolt action design.

• Are there pressure tolerance differences between turn-bolt and straight pull rifles?
• Without the turning bolt, it seems obvious that locking lugs couldn't be used to secure the bolt and seal the chamber - so how does the bolt stay closed?
• What unlocks the bolt on a straight pull to allow the bolt to be pulled to extract a round and load new?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ronn47]

I am thoroughly familiar with the Mauser style turn-bolt, as I have owned numerous rifles on this design.

What I don't understand and where I'm looking for education is on the straight pull bolt action design.

• Are there pressure tolerance differences between turn-bolt and straight pull rifles?
• Without the turning bolt, it seems obvious that locking lugs couldn't be used to secure the bolt and seal the chamber - so how does the bolt stay closed?
• What unlocks the bolt on a straight pull to allow the bolt to be pulled to extract a round and load new?

Thanks in advance!

Look at a Swiss K31, straight pull that turns the bolt as you pull back.
The round is the equal of a 7.62x51 (.308 Winchester).

 

[dkmatthews]

Look at a Swiss K31, straight pull that turns the bolt as you pull back.
The round is the equal of a 7.62x51 (.308 Winchester).

Great! So how does the bolt stay closed during firing? Then how does the user unlock the bolt on a straight pull in order to pull it back and eject the empty brass?

 

[Catfish]

The bolt turns just like any other to engage the locking lugs, you just don't turn it with the handle. It's a multi-part deal with a curved slot.

 

[Combat Diver]

The US Marine Corps and Navy used the M1895 6mm Lee Navy straight pull. Designed by James Paris Lee (same guy that designed the Lee Enfield action and magazine for the Brits in the 1880s) it cams up and down.



During WWI the Canadians used the Ross straight pull, there were couple Austrian-Hungarian models and as mentioned the Swiss series of straight pulls. The Blaser 93 is also a commercial hunting rifle. Any SAFN/FN49 and FN FAL can be come a straight pull by turn the gas plug from Auto to Grenade. This cuts the gas off and makes it a straight pull. Also some AK and SKS with flip up grenade sights do the same thing. If you remove the gas tube from a AR15, it becomes a straight pull rifle also.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_straight_pull_rifles
(I found some mistakes on this list)


CD

 

[dkmatthews]

The bolt turns just like any other to engage the locking lugs, you just don't turn it with the handle. It's a multi-part deal with a curved slot.

That's a great illustration. Thanks for sharing.

 

[dkmatthews]

The US Marine Corps and Navy used the M1895 6mm Lee Navy straight pull. Designed by James Paris Lee (same guy that designed the Lee Enfield action and magazine for the Brits in the 1880s) it cams up and down.



During WWI the Canadians used the Ross straight pull, there were couple Austrian-Hungarian models and as mentioned the Swiss series of straight pulls. The Blaser 93 is also a commercial hunting rifle. Any SAFN/FN49 and FN FAL can be come a straight pull by turn the gas plug from Auto to Grenade. This cuts the gas off and makes it a straight pull. Also some AK and SKS with flip up grenade sights do the same thing. If you remove the gas tube from a AR15, it becomes a straight pull rifle also.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_straight_pull_rifles
(I found some mistakes on this list)


CD

Super informative. Thanks for digging up that gem from Ian and Forgotten Weapons.