Have a 1985 vintage AV DL in 375 that uses the leaf spring to retain the guide rib.
The second spring has broken and I would like to get a more permanent fix in the form of the older style retainer pin.

Could anyone recommend a 'smith to tackle this? Would any of the forum 'smiths like to have a go?
Here's an internet pic of the type of pin I'm talking about, just to the rear of the rib retaining collar.



Thanks
Pete

If no one here will do the work shoot DocRocket a PM he knows someone who does that.

I hate to revive such an old thread but I'm interested to know of any gunsmiths that can do this to a Sako AV 375 with two collars. I spoke to a local gunsmith last week who said that since the guide rib is made of hardened steel they would have to soften it, then drill it, then re-harden it with a heat treat....that was enough to make me run for the door with my Sako bolt in hand.

The rib is not hard and installation of the pin is (a) not a big deal and (b) an almost mandatory fix. I started doing this in the early eighties and can't begin to guess how many I did. The job is best done in a milling machine with a 1/16 end mill. I am retired now but there must be a bunch of young guys who could do this. GD

Does anyone know of a smith in the Austin, TX area that will do the work? Or anyone I could ship it to?