Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing model 70, issues with the safety

I bought a New Haven classic 70 winchester a few months ago, not locally. Just getting around to adjusting the trigger. No stoning, only have moved the lock nuts and adjusted the overtravel screw.

Now the safety will not move backward from the fire position. I am not positive that it worked beforehand, but I think I would have checked it before I bought it...usually do. Gun was only fired 5-6 times, and no signs that anyone messed with it.

I have tried reversing the adjustments I made to the overtravel screw and weight of pull, but the safety still does not work. Everything looks normal from comparing it to another 'identical' rifle.

Any ideas? I will take it to a gunsmith if needed, but not if there is an easy fix. Have done other model 70 triggers with no such problems.

Make sure the bolt shroud is in the correct position. I just had a Model 70 with the same issue, minus the trigger adjustment, and it turned out that the bolt shroud was slightly out of position. The rifle would still dry fire, but the safety would not go on.

Good luck

Seems to be. The disassembly tab is in the notch when I open the bolt. Everything looks same as on my other 70s

Just verify that when you engage the bolt that by pressing the trigger the striker WILL dry-fire.. Then try to engage again..

If it won't engage, then it didn't work beforehand either.. It needs to go to a smith to have the safety timed with the striker. Not a huge job - but just make sure your smith is fully familiar with the M70..

If you don't trust your guy, send it here.. I'll have it done with a one-day turnaround..

Local guy fixed it Couple minutes with a dremel tool. He knew model 70s too

I'm curious to know what surfaces your smith Dremeled in order to get your safety to work.

Brian

I am with ya here, when mine wouldnt work, the smithy I knew real well, just stoned it. Got me curious now.

Swifty

It was the indent internally that the safety engages to prevent firing. It was coming too far forward when cocked. It appears maybe someone had tried a trigger job possibly or things were poorly machined

All good and tested for safety at 3.5#