Update: The wounds have healed and I pull this shotgun again to try and find the problem.
It's not the locking bolt plunger and related springs. I pulled the plunger out and placed a ball point pen spring on the plunger. It's still locked up. I removed all of the parts connected to the lever and the barrel locking lug (? unidentified part no. 49 on the above schematic) does not move. I cannot pull it back.
I used a couple of expensive and special tools to open the locking lug. (OK, I beat on it with a couple of screw drivers. But they were new Craftsman!)
Without the barrel in place and the locking lug dangling free, when pulling the end of the locking lug, in an "unlocking" motion, the lug "rides up" on something inside the receiver, forcing it up against the bottom of the top rail of the frame at the lever hole. I reinstalled the lever and the same "riding up" and binding occurs.
Since I'm not in the mood to tear into a Savage receiver for the first time, I'll call it quits until I'm braver or I retire. Man, I really am that old. 8>(
Thanks for reading and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
