Tuning Benjamin Fortitude bolt loose?

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BackStop

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Oct 10, 2020
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I have a Gen2 .177 Fortitude and it is working well for me now. However, the bolt is so loose after cocking that if I invert the gun, the bolt arm will swivel to the open, or unlocked position. It actually can do this whether cocked or not.

The bolt does not necessarily slide open, but if I were to take the shot, the bolt WOULD be forced back and the breech O-ring would be blown out. There seems to be no lock down or way to tighten the bolt once cocked that I know of.

Does that happen to any of you out there with the Fortitude?

Thanks for any replies and I will try to clarify if I have not made it clear what is happening.

Kerry
 
Is the bolt handle screwed in all the way tight into the probe? There's also the opposite of the breech the Allen hex screw is that tight too? Sounds like either or both aren't tight.

Correction that's a solid 1 piece bolt probe right? Then it's probably the Allen screw loose or out of round that screws onto the bolt that engages the hammer. I don't have a fortitude in front of me. If it has the locking Allen screw stop bolt handle stop like the Marauder rifle that moves when you lift the handle up and down that's probably loose or out of round too.
 
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Is the bolt handle screwed in all the way tight into the probe? There's also the opposite of the breech the Allen hex screw is that tight too? Sounds like either or both aren't tight.

Correction that's a solid 1 piece bolt probe right? Then it's probably the Allen screw loose or out of round that screws onto the bolt that engages the hammer. I don't have a fortitude in front of me. If it has the locking Allen screw stop bolt handle stop like the Marauder rifle that moves when you lift the handle up and down that's probably loose or out of round too.
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So, I have to disassemble the rifle to see what you are talking about? Because there is no Allen screw visible from the outside.

I believe the Fortitude more closely resembles the Marauder pistol than the rifle at the breech/bolt block.
 
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Maybe this will help. Pretty common with the Benjamin's. 



https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=70327.0
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This link is no help for the Fortitude.
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Sorry about that sir. Was thinking of the Maximus. My 1720 does the same thing. No way to tighten anything up. Ive seen where guys would epoxy a small rare earth magnet on the end cap to hold the bolt down in place. When painted black, barely noticable.
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Thanks anyway! I would have even used a rubber band, but there is nothing to secure it to on the Fortitude. BTW, this is not a new problem. It has been this way since it was new. I just have to make sure the bolt handle is in the correct place before I take a shot.
 
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Unbolt the top receiver bolts remove the upper barreled breech block assembly from air tube careful the transfer port and or o-ring dont get lost flip it upside down and you see an Allen screw move as you play with the cocking handle bolt make sure it's tight and not out of round. In fact unscrew it and roll it to see it's not bent or warped or worn to one side of the head or out of rround..while unscrewed inspect the bolt probe too should pull right out see if it's straight and not bent or worn from all the rubbing.
 
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Unbolt the top receiver bolts remove the upper barreled breech block assembly from air tube careful the transfer port and or o-ring dont get lost flip it upside down and you see an Allen screw move as you play with the cocking handle bolt make sure it's tight and not out of round. In fact unscrew it and roll it to see it's not bent or warped or worn to one side of the head or out of rround..while unscrewed inspect the bolt probe too should pull right out see if it's straight and not bent or worn from all the rubbing.
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I don't think anything is bent or out of round. If that were true, the bolt would be sticking at some point and it isn't. It is just VERY easy for the bolt handle to rotate to the unlocked position (and once there, very easy for the bolt to move back enough to accidentally double load a pellet as well) which could cause problem if a shot is taken while it is there, like blowing out the breech O-ring and ruining a good shot. In other words, there is no detent or locking of the bolt.

I guess I'll have to take another look at the Marauder Pistol breech block and bolt, because I am sure that is what the Fortitude is based on.
 
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If you can't live with it and just a plain old HATSAN-LIKE shoddy machining and tolerance thing and it's out of warranty you can add a detent to the cocking handle to make it stay put in its home position.
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OK, how do I add a detent to a Fortitude bolt/cocking handle? LOL!

The link posted previously in this thread has nothing to do with the Fortitude... https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=70327.0
 
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My Maximus and fortitude are both like that. If you even watch YouTube videos of people shooting theirs,you will see the bolt jump up A little every time they take a shot.But it’s never been a problem for me.
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Thanks for the info. Seems that this is something I will have to live with. BTW, after about 500 or so pellets, the Fortitude settled down and I can get consistent 1/4 inch groups at 27 yards with CPUM 10.5 pellets. Makes my pesting relatively easy as long as I make sure that danged bolt handle is down and locked! (grin)

p.s.

My extreme range is only ~35 yards these days due to neighbor's privacy fencing. Before that I was able to get sub 1/2 inch groups out to 55-65 yards using the same pellet. The gun is probably better than that, but the shooter is the obstacle. (smile)

p.p.s.

If you have a Fortitude, then you can see the small gap between the breech block and the bolt arm base. I am thinking about finding a suitable O-ring that I can stretch to fit over the bolt arm and onto/into that spot. It will provide enough tension to keep the bolt in place but not enough to impede function. Nothing on hand right now that I think will work, but I may even cut something out of an old inner tube... (grin)
 
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My Maximus and fortitude are both like that. If you even watch YouTube videos of people shooting theirs,you will see the bolt jump up A little every time they take a shot.But it’s never been a problem for me.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. Seems that this is something I will have to live with. BTW, after about 500 or so pellets, the Fortitude settled down and I can get consistent 1/4 inch groups at 27 yards with CPUM 10.5 pellets. Makes my pesting relatively easy as long as I make sure that danged bolt handle is down and locked! (grin)

p.s.

My extreme range is only ~35 yards these days due to neighbor's privacy fencing. Before that I was able to get sub 1/2 inch groups out to 55-65 yards using the same pellet. The gun is probably better than that, but the shooter is the obstacle. (smile)
Click to expand...

I would be happy with those groups. Mine are almost that good. But I’ve only tried three different types of pellets.
 
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Nothing at all to do with a MAXIMUS.

READ entirety b4 doing anything you start with drilling the receiver first then the bolt last to know the position the detent needs to be on the bolt in its resting closed home handle down position.

You are doing this to the FORTITIDE bolt close to the rear magazine breech openning positioned strategically while in fully bolt closed home and handle down position.

Start at 5:00









https://youtu.be/pO5g5pJANEc







Next step is to drill grind from an angle sticking your DREMEL inside the rear breech half from the clear plastic face magazine side (NOT from the rear of the gun) so that ball detent locks into a dremeled pocket in the bolt closed and handle down position.

You can try to drill through the receiver if it's easier (it's actually the easiest) maybe drill from 11mm dovetail straight down that's where your ball detent should be facing 12:00 position up when bolt closed home and handle down and be sure that ball retainer hole you drill is smaller than that ball bearing otherwise LOL!!!



.


 
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Does the Fortitude have an O-ring wound around the probe akin to the 22xx/13xx?

If it does, you can put an O-ring from a disposable lighter behind the existing one.

They are very small and thin but will make the bolt stay tight and in place

Another method is to put an O-ring around the collar/neck of your cocking bolt so that when you lock it it compresses against the back section of your breech.

Choose one that is of right thickness.

I put one on my PROD and it locks marvelously.

The photo should give an idea of the location, as it is intuitive.



https://airgunwire.com/a-look-at-the-benjamin-fortitude-air-rifle/
 
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