What Happens If A Rifle Fires With The Bolt OPEN ???

Published on December 3, 2025
Duration: 17:29

This guide details an experiment simulating a bolt-action rifle firing with its bolt open or locking lugs disengaged. Expert Scott DeShields demonstrates the potential for the bolt to become a dangerous projectile. The tests cover .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .50 BMG calibers, highlighting the severe risks associated with such malfunctions and emphasizing stringent safety measures.

Quick Summary

Firing a bolt-action rifle with the bolt open or locking lugs disengaged can turn the bolt into a dangerous projectile due to extreme bolt thrust. Experiments with .223, .308, and .50 BMG calibers, using modified rifles and ballistic dummies, demonstrated that bolt blowback can range from contained movement to complete bolt ejection or jamming within the receiver.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Bolt-Open Firing
  2. 01:18Mechanics of Failure
  3. 02:31Test Setup
  4. 04:18.223 Remington Test
  5. 06:47.308 Winchester Test
  6. 11:24.50 BMG Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of a bolt-action rifle firing with the bolt open?

If a bolt-action rifle fires with the bolt open or its locking lugs disengaged, the bolt can become a projectile. The immense force of bolt thrust, measured in thousands of pounds, can propel the bolt backward towards the shooter, causing severe injury.

How can a bolt-action rifle malfunction and fire with the bolt open?

This dangerous malfunction can occur if a firing pin becomes stuck and strikes the primer while the bolt is being closed or is not fully locked into battery. The expanding gases then act on an unsecured bolt.

What calibers were tested to demonstrate bolt-action rifle failure?

The experiment tested three calibers: .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .50 BMG. Each test involved modifying or removing the rifle's locking lugs to simulate the failure condition.

What safety measures were taken during the bolt-action rifle failure test?

Significant safety precautions were implemented, including securing the firearm in a vice, using a ballistic dummy torso to assess impact, and employing a remote string-pull trigger to keep the operator at a safe distance.

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