New to Me Inland- Questions

I've seen 2 cracked N14 bolts. 1 was mine the other I noticed on a fellow rifle club members carbine before he shot it. We discussed potential reasons and I left.

After posting about it I heard from others with cracked / broken lug N14 bolts. A google search brought up more N14 bolts and on occasion I'd run across cracked ones that owners were trying to auction.

But I'd see both flat and round bolts by most every maker in pictures and different forum posts.

I've read from 2 well known qualified Carbine gunsmiths that they had never seen a USGI bolt that was below or above the hardness spec that were in service.

I believe the Bolt assembly to be the weak link on the M1 carbine.

As Dan stated these rifles have seen a lot of use. During US and other countries service in multiple conflicts. In US possession they were inspected, repaired and upgraded as required by skilled Armorers. I can't say to what extent for the other countries that used them. I believe if during all of this service time if there was a issue with N14 bolts we would have heard about it. Similar to Herlo barrels. I understand during original manufacture that parts not passing inspection because of being out of specs were not accepted by US Ordnance.

Today most carbines are in civilian hands. Some see heavier use than others. You have to wonder how many current owners use gunsmiths to inspect and service them and how qualified the gunsmith may be when it comes to these older service rifles. And how qualified is the private owner who inspects and services his own.

Over the years how many parts have been swapped? Is this the 5th or 10th bolt put in it?

Not knowing this mechanical history can hide previous problems that may not be caught by the current owner. I find many on auction sites with strategic pictures to hide the chipped left locking lug shoulder or worn out Op slide rails.

It leaves you guessing at why a bolt cracked or busted off a lug. Was it metal fatigue, worn out Op slide that keeps jumping out of the track, lack of lube, headspace, powder load, burrs on the rails, bulged receiver, .... etc. Anything that can cause a momentary binding on the Op slide can lead to a bolt issue, among other issues.

The point I'm crawling to IMO is the bolt assembly be it flat or round is the weak link. That BIG RIGHT LUG isn't as strong as you may think it is. Look closely at the holes drilled for the Plunger and spring, look at the hole drilled thru the top for the Extractor stem, the holes on the face for the Ejector and Firing pin. Don't let that little bit of extra web on the bottom lead you to believe it's indestructible.

Clean your carbine to the extreme and add no oil or grease before you inspect everything. Pull the Op slide, guide spring rod and spring and put your bolt in with no lube. Tip the carbine up then slowly downward to see if the bolt travels smoothly. You can also do this with just the Op slide engaged but with no guide rod or spring. Let the weight of the slide help the bolt glide forward and back. Your looking and listening for any interruption that hinders smooth travel. Like burrs on the slide rails or bolt rails.

Feel them for burrs and address then if found. Look for burrs on the inside of the slides cam cut or on either bolt lug. Inspect the left and right locking shoulders on the receivers, looking for burrs or chipped metal. This is the short list there is more to look for, ask where, how or look it up.

Also when it comes to oil use it lightly where needed and use light viscosity grease sparingly. I see pictures of so many carbines caked with more grease than I used on the Excavator this morning. This 'Over greasing' especially in cold weather will hinder smooth action and can act as a dirt, grime and unspent powder catch all. They came with a oiler tube with a dip stick for spot oiling not a grease gun. And use a light viscosity grease, I can't over emphasize that enough.

I'm leery of N14 bolts because of the 2 I seen cracked firsthand.

But I've seen many posts and pictures of cracked and or busted right bolt lugs from most every maker. Again both flat and round.

But you so often read posts about 'Finding a round bolt for my carbine' because flat bolts right lugs will crack / break.

So often reading that I question if many owners really know what to look for as far as existing problems to why their lugs are breaking.

I just keep in mind that the (IMO) M1 carbine bolt assembly is the weak link.

VR,

Charlie-Painter777