I have owned 2 dozen of them Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard. The bolt stop "issue" is a WWW thing.
I don't know, OEH. Maybe the bolt stop "issue" is a 24hourcampfire thing?
Below is a list of fellow members, at our site, who have reported a problem with the bolt stop. From a post I made 7 years ago. I don't own a Howa/Vanguard and don't have a dog in this fight.
LeonHitchcox
Sask_Hunter
greydog
sdgunslinger
Sevens
calikooknic
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8411121/1