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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 141
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OP
Campfire Member
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I bought the rifle from a friend several years ago, and it shoots great. The safety has always been stiff, but I figured that was because some previous owner had re-blued the action and barrel, and that use would make the safety loosen up over time. Now it won't move out of "fire" position at all. How to fix?
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,021 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,021 Likes: 2 |
penetrating oil down in the hole. Then try to break it free. Rubber mallet might help. But, it is possible to snap it off as well. Sometimes they seize and don't free up without snapping.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,882 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,882 Likes: 6 |
Just run down a smith to disassemble and trouble shoot for one if not familiar with the breakdown.
1Minute
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Joined: May 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Not an uncommon problem with pre64 70's. DON'T force it, if it breaks you'll have a lot more trouble. Had the same problem a few months ago and my smith fixed it while I waited. Not exactly sure what the issue was, but he indicated that after years of use one of the metal surfaces had less than five-thousandths of an inch. Works perfectly now....
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,601
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,601 |
If you are not comfortable disassembling it, keep soaking it with penetrating oil. I recommend Kroil. Like PJ said, don't beat on it. Light taps only. I've messed with only a few, but both were due to sitting with Hoppes in the bolt, in the corner of a closet.
Most of the time it is just gummed up, but sometimes it is due to wear or a firing pin issue. I doubt that it the case since you seem to be shooting it.
Easy enough to fix, but a pain in the butt when it happens.
Nut
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,284
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,284 |
The adjustment is on the rear of the firing pin (once removed from the bolt sleeve). The angled surface is hardened; your smith will take a hardened file to the engagement pad on the surface where the safety lock cam bears and dress it. This is a trial and error adjustment. Try Redneck here on the fire if he is still working on M70's.
One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others. Archibald Rutledge
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,811
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,811 |
Had it happen a long time ago. Small pin that is close to the safety had fallen out.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Although I am officially retired, I'll bet I do a half dozen of these per year. Wear on the sear/cocking piece mating surfaces is the culprit and honing the safety/striker contact surface is the cure. Oiling and tapping is not. GD
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Joined: May 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2010
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Although I am officially retired, I'll bet I do a half dozen of these per year. Wear on the sear/cocking piece mating surfaces is the culprit and honing the safety/striker contact surface is the cure. Oiling and tapping is not. GD Yep, sounds like that is how my 70 was cured, my smith knew exactly what the problem was....
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,167 Likes: 2
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,167 Likes: 2 |
Try Redneck here on the fire if he is still working on M70's. "If"?? Puhleeeeze..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 141
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
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Posts: 141 |
There are very few gunsmiths in this rural area of south Georgia, and they're all afraid of this thing. How do I get in touch with Redneck?
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 17,275
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 17,275 |
I know full well about South GA gunsmiths... or the lack thereof. Just PM Redneck. He'll help you out... He did for me and I am well pleased.
g
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
GeoW, The "Unwoke" ...Let's go Brandon!
"A Well Regulated Militia" Life Member
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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There are very few gunsmiths in this rural area of south Georgia, and they're all afraid of this thing. How do I get in touch with Redneck? Just send him a PM. He posted just above your post.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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A couple of years ago Redneck fixed my M70 safety (XTR) that had been stiff and balky since new and had finally seized up. He was fast, inexpensive and a pleasure to deal with.
The safety works perfectly now. I could not be more pleased with my experience with him.
"It is wise, though, to remember above all else: rifle, caliber, scope, and even bullets notwithstanding, the most important feature of successful big game hunting is to put that bullet in the correct place, the first time!" John Jobson
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,167 Likes: 2 |
There are very few gunsmiths in this rural area of south Georgia, and they're all afraid of this thing. How do I get in touch with Redneck? PM coming..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Nobody will fix it faster or better. Send it to Redneck.
Camp is where you make it.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Try Redneck here on the fire if he is still working on M70's. "If"?? Puhleeeeze..
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,360
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Curious as to whether the issue with the safety has been resolved?
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
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