PLEASE HELP - Bolt stuck in the "up" position

I bought a brand new Ruger American Ranch rifle chambered in 7.62x39. I was shooting it for the first time the other day and after my very first shot, I lifted the bolt up, but then it wouldn't pull back to eject the round. It also does not go back down. It's just stuck in the up position and there's a shell still in the chamber.

I tried to tap out the shell with a cleaning rod, but I don't know how hard to hit and I don't want to damage the gun. Are there other things I can try to do without completely taking apart the gun? Ideally I would like to fix it locally rather than shipping it to Ruger for service.

Thanks in advance

Edit: I'll whack the shit out of my bolt tonight with a mallet and will update this post with the (hopefully positive) results.

submitted by /u/mavagam99
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