Almost impossible to extract spent mosin cartridge

[jhirsh5280]

I just took my "new" 1945 M44 out to fire. First shot went off beautifully however when I went to extract the cartridge it was damn near impossible. I really had to crank on the hand and when I was finally able to get it up, I had to crank back very hard to get it to extract. I've heard these guns can have still actions but I think this was a bit ridiculous. Everything inside appears to be fine. I completely disassembled and reassembled every part and cleaned everything very thoroughly. With nothing in the chamber the bolt slides open and closed smooth as butter. I can crank it down and pop it back up with no resistance and it feeds the round smoothly and locks down smoothly, only issue is after firing.

Any ideas what my issue could be? I've posted pictures below of the spent cases after I got them out. Not sure if the marks are normal to these type of spent cases. I'm shooting Bulgarian surplus bought from sportsmanship guide.

If any more info is needed let me know thanks for the help!

[BPTactical]

Excessive headspace is the usual culprit. Check the lug engagement surfaces of the receiver,, make sure they are not peened.

Come see me.

[jhirsh5280]

Probably better I see you, not quite sure I know what I'm looking at

[rondog]

A lot of guys have had to polish Mosin chambers with 20ga. brass brushes and bore mops on a piece of cleaning rod, put in a drill. Soak the brush with Hoppes and scrub the hell out of the chamber. Same with the mop. Getting all that cosmo out can be hell. And lacquered ammo sucks too.

[jhirsh5280]

Been doing some reading and that seems to be a common resolve. I'll try that. Any danger in firing if its not a dirty chamber and is a headspace issue? I fired 5 shots today without issue other than getting the damn case out. Am I in danger of breaking or bending anything by forcing the bolt open? Thanks again for the help!

[zteknik]

Been doing some reading and that seems to be a common resolve. I'll try that. Any danger in firing if its not a dirty chamber and is a headspace issue? I fired 5 shots today without issue other than getting the damn case out. Am I in danger of breaking or bending anything by forcing the bolt open? Thanks again for the help!

If cases are getting jammed and stuck,I would hold off shooting it untill you bring it to Bert.
Worse case scenario you could have a catastrophic failure-ie blown up case.Or you can damage the bolt ,extractor by trying to force it open.

[rondog]

How does a fired case look next to a new one? Bad headspace is certainly a possibilty and a danger! If a fired case looks much different than an unfired, especially stretched or cracked, or the shoulder/neck areas are different, don't shoot it until Bert checks it out.