Well, I've never experienced the dreaded Remington 700 bolt handle popping off until today.

But, it wasn't a Rem 700 and it wasn't a Remington bolt. On my Remington 40X Rimfire project that started out as a stripped receiver I bought a PTG bolt. It has been snug since day one, but it seemed it was starting to break in a bit. But even a bit of shavings or dust and it would get stiff . Definitely needs a little valve grinding compound or similar and a little working in to get as smooth as I want it.

So, trying to set up the ejector today and chambered a round and it was stiff going into battery. When I tried to extract the case it had hard lift and the bolt handle popped off in my hand. Well, what the heck? Luckily, the 40X rimfire lugs are exposed so you can push them around to release and pop the bolt loose. At least one thing happened right- the unfired case ejected perfectly...

So, now I have a bolt to fix. I would prefer to use the countersunk bolt method to fasten this down but I need to find out what size you smiths use for this? 10-32 or 8-40? I've got the machine tools to do the job, just not the right screws, tap, and countersink... also, would you smiths also silver solder the handle on before/after screwing it down "permanently"?

TIA for any help ...

Bob

Send it to get the handle welded on

What are the suggestions of a quality gunsmith to tig weld the bolt handle on and get quality work?

Dan40X here... he is in Fairbanks and he is the best.

This link is to a thread he is on which explains bolt timing.

timing#Post13914818bolt timing thread

Sent Dan a PM so I'll wait for a response before moving forward. I'm pretty sure the primary timing wasn't the issue here, but time will tell ... in the end it may be cheaper to send it out to him to have it done than go buy all the screws, taps, counterbore, and other supplies I would need to complete the repair myself...

Bob

Dan is very reasonably priced...

I'd contact the manufacturer -- perhaps they'd fix it for nothing?

PTG Link

Sure sounds like a manufacturing defect to me, so even if it has been a long while they still might want to take care of you as a goodwill gesture.

John

As quick, reasonable, and knowledgeable that Dan is, it ain't any other choice. www.accu-tig.com

After following the link posted by Butch and seeing how low Accu-TIG's prices are, I am happy to admit that I've been schooled, big time!

Combined with the other posters, clearly Accu-TIG is the way to go!

Hard to beat two-day turnaround too!

John

Thanks guys. I sent Dan a quick email to be sure I sent the right pieces, money, box of chocolates, etc.....

Bob

Dan does great work, you’ll be happy. $7 for a USPS flat rate box makes it easy to get to him in the frozen hinterlands.

Had a Forbes rifle in the shop yesterday, guy had a live round stuck in the chamber and broke the handle off the bolt with a couple taps from a hammer. I got the bolt open and he intends to send it back to Melvin.

JKob did the Forbes bolt break or came off the bolt body? I thought they were one piece bolts? I bent mine slightly doing the same thing until the some what dim light went off in my head and I remembered I had a steel cleaning rod AKA Ram Rod handy.

It broke from the bolt body, silver brazed joint let loose.

Jkob,
Did I understand the handle was brazed on, not 1 piece?

Yes

Any response from PTG? If a one piece I would suspect a flaw in the metal might have caused the problem.

IT AIN'T A ONE PIECE BOLT!