Model 70 Bolt issue/help needed

[Fatback]

I picked up a new to me Winchester M70 today. It came with the bolt out of the rifle. I know I am supposed to put the safety in the middle position before I put it into the rifle. The issue is the safety is in the fire position and I can’t get it to move into the middle position to move it into the rifle. I’m sure there is something I am not doing correctly and in my ignorance I’m reaching out to y’all for a bit of education on how to remedy this issue. Thanks for any insight on how to get this sorted.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

@Fatback
One may insert a M70 bolt with the safety in the either the forward Fire, or middle Safe positions.
The bolt cannot be removed if the safety is in the rear Lock (the bolt) position.

One cannot move the safe from the Fire to Safe position with the bolt out of the receiver. Not without pulling back on the striker.

If the striker in NOT cocked, then it is a another problem. If the striker is forward with the tip of it is protruding from the bolt face, please let us know.
If this is the case the striker must be pull rearward and the bolt shroud turned to cock the striker/bolt.

 

[Fatback]

So it is ok to put the bolt in with the safety in the fire position/ all the way forward as long as the striker is not protruding from the bolt face? Not sure why I thought it had to be in the middle position to put the bolt in. Thanks

 

[PARA45]

Were you able to put the bolt in?

 

[Fatback]

Bolt went in but now it is sliding all the way out of the rifle when I pull it back when working the action. The bolt release button seems to be “stuck” in the release position. Any suggestions on how to remedy this issue?

 

[baxterb]

Bolt went in but now it is sliding all the way out of the rifle when I pull it back when working the action. The bolt release button seems to be “stuck” in the release position. Any suggestions on how to remedy this issue?

Hmm... You are going to have to take it out of the stock and see what it's hanging up on. Could be wedged against the stock, or it went down too far and is hung on a burr on that slot, etc.

pics/videos are good too if you can post them

 

[Fatback]

Here are a couple of pics. I hope it is something simple to get corrected. I was taking this rifle to my gunsmith this week anyway for some other stuff so I’ll bring this issue to their attention and hopefully it will be easily correctable. Appreciate the suggestions on getting this fixed. Thanks.

 

[baxterb]

View attachment 585365View attachment 585366
Here are a couple of pics. I hope it is something simple to get corrected. I was taking this rifle to my gunsmith this week anyway for some other stuff so I’ll bring this issue to their attention and hopefully it will be easily correctable. Appreciate the suggestions on getting this fixed. Thanks.

Hmm... I see this is a 375? or another magnum? EDITED**. Ok I had a look at one of mine... I'd be be willing to bet the front of the bolt stop is caught under the slot it fits in. I might be bent?

 

[Fatback]

Yes it is a 375 H&H. It is stuck in the down position and I believe that is what is allowing the bolt to come out when working the bolt. Hopefully it won’t be too difficult to repair. I’ll be taking it to the gunsmith tomorrow or Friday this week. I’ll report back what they are able to get done.

 

[fourfive8]

Mechanically, the M70 bolt stop is one of the simplest moving parts in the rifle. Once you take the bbl action out of the stock, you’ll be able to see and correct the problem. Simple one piece pivoting lever with spring. Hope the gunsmith doesn’t charge much to correct it.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I had a Winchester have a sticky bolt release. In my case the bolt release itself had a burr in the pivot hole. I removed it and used the proper size drill bit to clean up the hole and reinstalled everything.
I would check the condition of the spring as well as pin while I was at it.

 

[Fatback]

I took the info posted by y’all and was able to get the issue fixed. Just had to move a spring, the lever had moved somehow and once I got the spring placed correctly in the bolt release, viola, issue solved. Feeds and ejects perfectly now. All the insight and direction are very much appreciated. Thank you folks.