I would guess the bolt handle is intended to be silver soldered in place just like that of the Winchester M70 which features a similar joint. It looks like somebody omitted the silver solder and the joint was tight enough it got through QC. Not a particularly good system but it would be strong enough if the silver solder was there.
With this design, the potential does exist for the rifle to fire with the locking lugs not engaged should this joint fail when closing the bolt. That is, unless there is a backup system to prevent this. I have not looked closely at one of these rifles so can't say for sure. GD
Kept comming back to this post. You say the model 70 Winchester is done the same way? Trying to figure if this is a manufacturing fault or a design flaw.. seems like there should be splines in both parts to mate and lock. I don't like it and hope Winchester doesn't do the same thing.
Thanks,
Geo
