have a 80s m70 that has a sticky bolt upon the initial opening of the bolt and can be quite stiff also when closing it.
does nt do it with safety in neutral or fully on
only when its off or fire mode.
the safety its self is a little sticky also when
putting it on. do you think this will just wear in?
gun fires and operates fine other wise
no discernible marks on the brass and it will
shoot good groups.(for me anyway)
ANY IDEAS?
yea I know take it to a smith. that's next

I would first place safety in middle position, remove bolt, and field strip. Examine bolt internals for any obvious faults such as corrosion or dirt and clean thoroughly.

did that down to the f.pin but am paranoid to go further
resources to get at safety internals?

I'm no gunsmith,but sounds to me you have some burrs or ill fitted parts and it only comes into play when the action is fully loaded and cocked...seen this before on a couple of Classics and one rifle seemed to pick when it wanted to chamber a round.One rifle would not close into battery.

The problem might be at the nose of the bolt or could be on the back end.Mine was on the backend...my smith fixed it.You should take it to your gunsmith.