In years past I heard that if the bolt in your bolt action rifle breaks or busts at an inopportune time you cannot go borrow you

[Jim in Mo]

In years past I heard that if the bolt in your bolt action rifle breaks or busts at an inopportune time you cannot go borrow your buddies bolt even though it's the same rifle and caliber. Is that true and if so why? I think I know why but I want your opinions.

[Big O]

I've never heard this before. I'll get back to you as soon as I hear from a buddy of mine( cert. gunsmith)

[Del in KS]

One word-headspace.

[shane]

Each rifle is given final adjustments (I hope) after the main production, and each rifle is pretty much unique. We should know this because some rifles, same caliber and model, shoot better than others. Like Del said, if you put in another gun's bolt, the headspacing could be off, and that can be dangerous.

[Big O]

Yep, Del and Shane are right as usual, buddy said "headspace" that's why they(gunsmiths) need the whole rig to effect repairs, sorry for the delay(different time zones).Hope this helps.

[Reid Jones]

you're probably better off asking to borrow your buddies whole rifle, not just the bolt.

[hunt_fish_sleep]

Asking to borrow someone else's gun is something that I am not comfortable doing since I would not ever lend my guns. I cannot expect of others what I do not expect of myself. I think asking to borrow a man's gun or boat is in violation of man-laws and common sportsman's courtesy.

[chuckles]

Another example of why this is a valuable site. I have never heard that it would be unsafe and probably would have lent or borrowed a bolt if the situation came up. Now I know better.

[MLH]

I heard that during/after the war, enemy rifles were collected in one pile and bolts were removed and placed into another pile, and that when soldiers brought them back they probably mixed the bolts. Another reason these old guns should be checked before firing.

[CavRecon]

It's true. Although these things are mass produced, there is some final fitting done by hand to get headspace and action dialed in properly. In the Army, we were always told to never swap bolts on M-16's either.

[rudyglove27]

Agreed with shane answer above and A + 1 for you sir!!!