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Question. I have several Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines and most function very well. However, I have one M1891/1930 Carbine, that will not chamber (close the bolt) with the very same surplus ammo that I feed the others. Any Ideas as to what is wrong with this carbine? Cases were checked for scratches and primer seating, all were ok. Again, this is all factory (corrosive) production ammo.

SCRUB the living Hell outta the chamber first and foremost!!! Some of those rifles are so crudded up it defies description. Do that, test it and let us know.

Evil Twin, and all the rest of you helpful people. I inspected all of the test ammunition for primer seating, scratching/scoring, measured OAL, diameter at the necks,base, etc., and they were all pretty close to each other in all dimensions. Then I thoroughly inspected the bolt, and chamber. I did discover that there was more of that wonderful Cosmoline in the chamber, and in the bolt. I cleaned it up again and was able to get the bolt to close on about half of the rounds half of the time. I switched a complete bolt from a rifle into the carbine and the bolt closed on all rounds and cycled flawlessly. SO, the next question is: Is the bolt damaged (none visible) or is it a Headspace problem even though the rifle bolt worked fine (I am assuming that both the rifle and carbine are exactly the same and only a barrel and stock dimension is different). Ideas? ps. I could not find any of the other suggestions to my questions. I'm new here.

I'm pretty sure the carbines were literally cut down 91/30s (At least the M44s -- maybe not M38s or other variants?), so the bolts should be completely interchangeable. So, with that said, I think it's the bolt that's the problem.

You may be able to order an extra bolt for not much money and see if that fixes the problem.

Since the (rifle) bolt worked fine, you are likely right. A new bolt it is.

Might one also explore the potential of milling a small bit (highly technical measure) from the face or bearing surfaces of the lugs on the offending bolt? Might take this to the gunsmithing realm and ask again. 1Minute

These rifles have a replaceable bolt head and that is how they are head spaced , a very simple setup. if you change the bolt your head space will change and will need checked.

Hubert,
I think you are confusing the enfields with the replaceable bolt heads, numbered 0,1 or 2. The MN's bolt head comes in one size, "fit's all".
Ed, the "bad bolt" may have enough crap in it to help cause this problem, have you disassembled it completely? Is your extractor in it's correct position? 7.62X54r.net is a fantastic source of information for all things Mosin Nagant.
In it you can see all the variations, which came first and which is a chopped version of a former rifle etc.
Good Luck,
MCB