Mossberg International 81 Bolt Action User Manual

OWNER’S

TM

MANUAL

817™ BOLT ACTION

.17 HMR BOLT ACTION RIFLE
WITH DETACHABLE
MAGAZINE

IMPORTANT “SAFETY WARNINGS” — NOTE THE SYMBOL:

THESE SAFETY WARNINGS ARE FOR YOUR PROTECTION AS WELL AS
THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. DISREGARDING INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL
MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Be certain this owner’s manual is available for reference and is kept with this
firearm if transferred to another party. If this manual is lost or misplaced,
contact the Product Service Center for a free replacement copy.

After performing any work on your firearm such as cleaning, adjustments,
disassembly or installation of any accessory, the firearm should be
re-checked for proper functioning before firing live ammunition.

Firearms are complex mechanisms. Any modification, alteration, or
improper fitting of parts may result in a dangerous malfunction,
damage to the firearm and injury to the shooter and/or other persons. The
firearm’s owner must accept full responsibility for the correct reassembly and
functioning of the firearm after any disassembly or replacement of parts.

If you do not understand any of the material in this manual or have any
questions, contact Mossberg International directly or a qualified gunsmith.

Do not attempt to load or use any firearm until you have read and
understood the information contained in its owner’s manual. Before handling
your firearm, you should learn how it operates and how to maintain it. This
includes knowing its basic parts, how the manual safety and other safety
features operate, how to safely open and close the action and how to
safely load and unload ammunition from the firearm. Improper use and
handling is dangerous and could cause serious injury or death to you or
those around you. All users of the firearm must become thoroughly familiar
with the instructions in this manual.

distributed by

P.O. BOX 521 • 7 GRASSO AVENUE, NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473

MOSSBERG INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]

www.mossbergintl.com

Safety and safe firearms handling is everyone’s responsibility.

As the owner of a firearm, you must undertake the full-time responsibility
of safe firearms handling for your own safety and the safety of those around
you:

• Keep all firearms and ammunition out of the reach of children.

• Store your firearms and ammunition separately.

• Never store a loaded firearm.

• Never leave a loaded firearm unattended.

• Never transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle

• Unload your firearm when you have stopped shooting and
when you have to climb a tree, fence, cross a slippery
surface or have to transport it in a vehicle.

• Do not load your firearm before you are in a place where it
is safe to shoot, and keep your finger off the trigger until
you are on target and have decided to fire.

• Never shoot at water, rocks or any hard surfaces. Bullets
may glance off such surfaces and cause injuries.

• Do not use alcohol or drugs before or while handling firearms.

• Do not touch the trigger while the safety button is being
engaged or disengaged.

Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction, regardless of
whether the firearm is loaded or unloaded.

Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Give your firearm to
someone with the action open, and the safety button pushed fully to the right
to the “ON” (SAFE) position, after you verify the firearm is unloaded. Insist
on the same procedure when receiving a firearm from someone else. Learn
the location of all the safety features of your firearm and how they operate.

Wear eye and ear protection when shooting. Shooting without proper ear
protection can cause hearing damage. The use of eye protection during any
type of shooting is important to protect your vision.

When using a firearm with mounted optics, maintain an adequate distance
between the rear of the scope and your face at all times. (Be certain the
scope installation does not interfere with access to, or the proper functioning
of the safety).

WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE
OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH,
OR AS A RESULT OF, THE USE OF FAULTY, OR NON-SAAMI
STANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND LOADED
(RELOADED) AMMUNITION. ADDITIONALLY, WE DISCLAIM ANY
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY WHICH RESULTS
FROM ANY MODIFICATIONS OR CHANGES THAT ARE NOT A PART
OF THE FIREARM AS DELIVERED FROM THE FACTORY.

Learn to clean your firearm thoroughly and make certain no oil, grease or
other materials are blocking the barrel. Obstructions of any kind can cause
damage to the firearm resulting in serious personal injury to the shooter
and/or others nearby.

Practice proper firearm maintenance and safety. Make sure all exposed metal surfaces
are coated with a thin film of oil, especially after being exposed to damp weather. (See
proper section of this manual for cleaning instructions.) Do not plug the barrel or store
in a fabric-lined case, which will absorb lubricants from the firearm. Before using after
storage, follow complete instructions stated in this manual for refamiliarization with the
firearm. A thorough inspection should be performed before going into the field. Have
your firearm periodically checked by a qualified gunsmith.

PART NO. 18248

A note about the warnings and information contained in this Manual:

We strongly suggest that you check with your local licensed retailer or state
police for additional information concerning firearms ownership, or hunting or
target shooting rules that may be required by local law or regulation. Since such
rules and regulations are subject to change, local authorities are in the best
position to advise you on such matters.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

General Information and Mechanical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . 4

Unpacking Your Bolt Action Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Manual Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

To Install the Bolt in the Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Magazine Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

To Install Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

To Remove Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

To Load and Unload Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Loading Single Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

To Unload the Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Removing the Bolt From the Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Cleaning and Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Function Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Precautions and Care With Your Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Service Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Exploded View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

3

GENERAL INFORMATION AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The 817™ Bolt Action Rifle is designed to operate with .17 HMR cartridges only.

When the rifle leaves the factory, its metal parts are protected by a coat of very
adherent oil. This coating, especially inside of the barrel, must be removed before
using the rifle. The oil on the outside surfaces should also be removed when the
packing box has been opened because the oil is very sticky and it easily retains
dust and other solid impurities from the air.

WARNING

Because this rifle can be used as a single shot, it will fire whether or not a
magazine is in the rifle if a cartridge is chambered.

RIFLE WILL FIRE WITH MAGAZINE OUT.

Fig. 1

* The chamber is the rear most part of the barrel. It can only be seen when the bolt is in

the “open” position.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Read and understand this entire manual and its safety warnings before firing
the rifle.

UNPACKING YOUR BOLT ACTION RIFLE

When shipped from the factory the bolt is removed from the action and packed
separately in the shipping carton. Before installing the bolt, visually and physically
inspect the inside of the barrel and receiver to ensure they are free of any excess oil,
grease or any obstructions. Obstructions of any kind can cause damage to the firearm
and may result in serious personal injury to the shooter and/or others nearby.

4

¸MANUAL SAFETY

Remember, a firearm’s manual safety is a mechanical device which can
never replace safe firearm handling practices.

The safety button is located at the front of the trigger guard (Fig. 2) and must be
manually moved to the desired position by the shooter.

The safety is set in the “ON” (SAFE) position by pushing the button from
the left side (side opposite the ejection port) so that it moves all the way
to the right. The button must always be pushed fully to the right until it
moves no further to be in the “ON” (SAFE) position.

The safety mechanism cannot be engaged unless the firing pin is cocked or the
bolt is fully open.

Never rely on any mechanical mechanism or safety device to prevent the
dangers of careless handling or pointing a firearm in an unsafe direction.

Fig. 2

Moving the safety button to the left will put the safety in the “OFF” (FIRE) position.

The safety button is designed to function only as described above and
should not be reversed. Do not attempt to remove or reverse the button.
Doing so will result in an unsafe condition which can cause serious injury
or death.

The safety button is marked with a red ring for training purposes as a reminder
that moving it to the left with red showing is the “FIRE” position, moving it all the
way to the right is the “SAFE” position. The safety can be activated only when the
rifle is cocked or the bolt is fully open.

5

TO INSTALL THE BOLT IN THE RIFLE

Visually and physically check to make certain there is no ammunition in
the chamber or magazine. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at
all times.

A. Set the safety to the “OFF” (FIRE) position, by pushing the button all

the way to the left. With the bolt handle pointing up and to the right,
rotate the forward section of the bolt until the firing pin is aligned with
the cross pin (Fig. 3 ).

B. Push the bolt forward gently. The cross-pin in the bolt will pick up the

groove in the receiver and stop against the back of the sear.

C. Depress the trigger fully and push the bolt past the sear. Release the

trigger and set the safety to the “ON” (SAFE) position. Push the bolt
fully forward and rotate the bolt handle clockwise and down to the
“closed bolt” position. Observe the end of the bolt. A gap exists
between the head of the striker pin and the bolt body (see Fig. 4a)
indicating that the firing pin is cocked (red dot shows).The rifle will fire
if the safety button is moved to the left to the “OFF” (FIRE) position
and the trigger is pulled. When the rifle is fired the gap between the
head of the striker pin and the bolt body no longer exists (red dot
does not show).

The red dot is not a safety and does not indicate whether or not a
cartridge is in the chamber. You must visually and physically inspect the
chamber to determine if the rifle is loaded.

6