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Help with safety mechanism on Win Pre-64

Afishy1
I just purchased a 1959 Winchester Model 70. Beautiful old Rifle.
The gentleman that sold it to me said he may have gotten a spring or something wrong in the safety last time he had the bolt out. The safety is stuck in the fire position. I have removed the bolt and clamped down on the plate and manuallly cocked it and moved the safety to center. Installed it back in the rifle,and dry fired it. The safety(after firing) is locked in the fire position. Even after cycling the bolt action. Can anyone help?
Thanks ahead of time for your responces.
Afishy1
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • taxmiser
    There is nothing misplaced in the Model 70 safety, relax. A large number of them came with the safely non-functioning. The safety can be made to work. Remove the bolt from the rifle as you did before, then remove the firing pin from the bolt sleeve. Once removed you will see that the safety lever has a shaft extending down that contacts the rear of a slot in the firing pin when it is rotated. The firing pin surface needs to be dressed until the safety will function properly. Take your time, remove a little, reassemble and try the unit until it is working properly.

    tax
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  • Afishy1
    thank you very much tax. I will look at that and let you know.
    fish
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    Afishy1,
    I suggest that you forget what taxmiser stated in his response. The pre-64-Model 70's (yes I own 2) never came with a safety that did not work. I have no idea where taxmiser came up with his response. Do not
    remove any material from the the arm. I have never taken the bolts down to parts-never needed to. Definitely do not remove any material
    from the bolt or action. I would never respond to this post unless I was knowledgable. Suggest that perhaps you insure yourself-it is actually a pre-1964. Probably correct but make sure. The safety which is a three position unit has never failed me. I suggest contacting a rep smith or some one that really knows. As stated,
    I have "never" strippped the bolt on my own arms. Hunted them to death but never a failure of any kind. 101
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  • Afishy1
    I want to thank both of you for taking time to reply. I realize now that this was probably not the best kind of question to pose on a forum. Although a forum is a wealth of Knowlege, a safty is nothing to screw with. I will have it checked by a qualified GS.
    Once again, thanks for trying to help.
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    taxmiser-
    Question-where do
    you come up with the info-safety non functioning as shipped?
    I would like a response. 101
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    Afishy1,
    Forgot to welcome you-Welcome.
    Just do not start grinding or surface working upon the bolt or receiver. You purchased one of the best hunting guns made. 101
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  • Afishy1
    Thanks 101Airborne,
    It is an all matching serial .338 Win Mag.
    Bought it from a friend that used to live in Alaska. He Said has taken a couple of bears and several caribou with it. To me it it is 90-95% condition. He has given me 2 stocks with it. He has it in black synthetic right now, but have original stock that came with rifle. it needs to be pinned though. Bluing is in very nice condition for its age. looked up age based on serial. came up to be a 59.

    fish
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  • taxmiser
    I currently have 11 pre-64 Model 70's and 3 of them had non-functioning safetys. I have owned over 100 of them over the years and a fair number have had the same fault. Generally they only need a little polishing to get them to work, some however have required more than merely dressing the contact point. Just use common sense and don't go at it with a grinder...........

    tax
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  • taxmiser
    FYI 101 - I started working in a gunshop when I was 13 years old which was back when pre-64's were still in production. Not only did the establishment sell guns the owner/operator was a certified gunsmith and performed warrantee work for many manufactures including Winchester. He checked each Model 70 for proper safety functioning and those that didn't move without excessive effort he disassembled and polished the mating surface until he was satisfied with the fit. Ask any qualified smith........those whom I have had the pleasure of knowing all did the same. I have nothing but the highest regard for those old 70's but they weren't perfect. In fact, I have used nothing else to build my custom rifle for years.

    tax
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