Live shell hung on bolt. I need your help! UPDATE

[Jinglebob]

This is my old Mossberg 185 in 20 gauge. I keep it loaded in my shop for the skunks and varmints that come around. This evening I was going to oil the gun but when I pulled back the bolt, the round in the chamber did not eject but remained hung on the bolt. I can't move the bolt forward or back.

I don't like fiddling around with a live round in this configuration. Do any of you know a safe method to release the round. I hate to spend money for a gunsmith because the shotgun is worth practically nothing.

Thanks

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Slit the case with a razor knife, dump out the shot and powder, then try to free the case???

 

[A10]

Can you get anything under the front of the shell and pop it out? Can you safely remove the firing pin?

 

[Jinglebob]

Slit the case with a razor knife, dump out the shot and powder, then try to free the case???

That crossed my mind. If the round went off it would be a somewhat safer with only the primer exploding.

 

[Jinglebob]

Can you get anything under the front of the shell and pop it out? Can you safely remove the firing pin?

I tried a small wooden dowel but the shell would not release. I can't remove the firing pin in this configuration.

 

[feralmerril]

There must be a bolt release to remove the bolt for cleaning. But I suppose you tried that. I would do what lee said. Also might put in some oil on the powder when you get that far.

 

[Biginge]

Will the extractor budge enough to release the shell?

 

[Jinglebob]

Will the extractor budge enough to release the shell?

I tried to pry up the extractor but with the bolt in this position it won't budge.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Take it out in the backyard and shoot it..........

 

[Jinglebob]

There must be a bolt release to remove the bolt for cleaning. But I suppose you tried that. I would do what lee said. Also might put in some oil on the powder when you get that far.

To remove the bolt the trigger has to be in the rearward position. It won't go into that position when the gun is on safe.

 

[Jinglebob]

Take it out in the backyard and shoot it..........

The bolt is stuck and will not move forward to rechamber the round.

 

[radar1972]

The bolt is stuck and will not move forward to rechamber the round.

Then while pointing the gun in a safe direction, I would try spraying some Break-Free CLP in every visible orifice to see if the bolt will move forward.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Have you removed the magazine from the gun?

That would give you another angle at the shell.

Seems to me you could get at the safety and remove the bolt.

 

[Onomea]

The suspense is killing me.....

 

[gdnagle]

Don't forget safety glasses and maybe hearing protection in case it should go off.

Did the bolt stay locked back on the last round before when empty, if so you may need to try to move the shell down a little to rechamber or push down on the magazine spring like military rifles. Their way to let you know your out of ammo.

 

[Jinglebob]

Have you removed the magazine from the gun?

That would give you another angle at the shell.

Seems to me you could get at the safety and remove the bolt.

I removed the magazine before trying to eject the round in the chamber.

Yes, I can toggle the safety... but, to remove the bolt the safety must be off and the trigger held in the rearward position. Doing that might fire the round out of battery but I don't know if the firing pin will function with the bolt open. I've never tried it and don't relish finding out. These old shotguns didn't have many safety features.

 

[Jinglebob]

Don't forget safety glasses and maybe hearing protection in case it should go off.

Did the bolt stay locked back on the last round before when empty, if so you may need to try to move the shell down a little to rechamber or push down on the magazine spring like military rifles. Their way to let you know your out of ammo.

Its been years since I've emptied the magazine while shooting. If I recall correctly, the bolt did close on an empty magazine. The gun has a removable magazine and I detached it before trying to eject the chambered round.

 

[Jinglebob]

Then while pointing the gun in a safe direction, I would try spraying some Break-Free CLP in every visible orifice to see if the bolt will move forward.

Well, after squirting Break-Free into the bolt and action until it was coming out of every opening, the bolt is still stuck. I suspect that a spring or pin has twisted or broken. In the morning I plan to cut open the shell case, empty the shot and powder and try to remove the head without setting off the primer.

 

[Jinglebob]

The suspense is killing me.....

The frustration is getting me.

 

[A10]

Patience is your friend....put it down for while......in a safe place.