I have a 1972 win mod 70 in 270 win I bought it new. I bought a lighter trigger spring it was the Old Beaver hunting model. I installed it and when I tested it I dropped the rifle on the butt really hard and the rifle fired. I did the same thing with the safety on and when i released the safety the gun did not fire. My question is that if the gun is really slammed on the floor with the butt should it fire, and if it doesnt fire when you release the safety is it ok?

No it is only supposed to fire when you pull the trigger.

I've been told a M70 trigger shouldn't be adjusted much under 3.5# unless a person that knows what they're doing does some trigger work. I found it to be correct with two different M70s when I cycles the bolt really fast. YMMV

Send it to Redneck! A M70 trigger is an excellent factory design and with the proper stoning and adjustments can be very nice.

Do not drop the loaded rifle, butt first, on the floor while looking down the bore, and it won't be an issue. Seriously, the fact that a Model 70 will do this is a function of the trigger design and, as long as the describe scenario is avoided, it is not an issue. GD

Seems reasonable to me, to expect a hard fall while hunting. Do other trigger designs - 700, savage, ruger, tikka, fare better in the drop test than the Winchester?

Just changing the spring will actually make the rifle less safe due to the design of that particular trigger - as you found out by doing this silly 'drop test'... Keep the rifle on safe UNTIL you're ready to shoot it.

The safety actually retracts the firing pin from the sear, so your new spring will have no effect on taking it off safe and having it fire.. That wonderful trigger can be made to be perfectly safe down to 2# or so with a proper re-work/refit.. I only advise that a weight that light should not be used for cold-weather hunting where the owner's probably wearing gloves.. In that scenario, it's best to keep it at about 3#.. But once reworked you'll experience nearly zero creep and it'll let off nicely..

All of what Redneck has stated is true so pay attention!
The reason the Model 70 trigger is more likely to fail the drop test is because the mass of the trigger lever is all below the pivot point. Adding a trigger shoe makes it worse. I still maintain it is no big deal. If one takes a hard enough fall that the butt of the rifle hits the ground while he is above the bore while the safety is off and the rifle ready to fire, he's got troubles enough whether or not the rifle fires! I've been hunting and hiking in extremely rugged terrain for over 55 years and still do so; often I am carrying a Model 70. I have yet to encounter the situation where this would be a problem. GD

Working on a hunting bud's T/C Compass .308, I discovered that the trigger is an open design, reminding me of the older M-70. It also has a M-70 type three position wing safety. Interesting findings on a "cheap" rifle. Not bad, IMO.

I was able to easily adjust the trigger to a clean 3#'s with no perceivable over travel. And it's 3#'s on the money with multiple tests.

Have not yet shot it, but the T/C 5C barrels are said to be accurate, looks good thru the Hawkeye.

DF