model 70 safety stuck

[Revolver Ocelot]

A winchester model 70 (pre 64) featherweight has recently come into my possession. When I received it it was in a state of disrepair, most of which was rust on the bolt. I finally have cleaned it up enough where it works, but the 3 position safety is stuck in the fir position.

With some muscling I was able to remove said firing pin and I can see the plunger detent moving when I try moving the safety but it just can never quite make it into the middle position or farther.

Any thoughts?

 

[Kp321]

Sounds like the bolt lock plunger is stuck, either rusted or gummed with old lube. Try soaking the bolt shroud assembly in Kano for a few days.
Also, because of the said plunger, the safety will not move all the way to the rear with the bolt out of the rifle. The plunger must go into a notch in the rear of the bolt which is not lined up unless the bolt is closed.

 

[sage5907]

Kp321 said it right but I'll repeat what he said for additional clarification. You can't cycle the safety if the bolt is not closed because the plunger must go in a notch in the rear of the bolt. It only lines up when the bolt is closed. As Kp321 said, you can soak the bolt shroud in Kano penetrating oil and that may loosen the lever. I can't tell from what you said if you actually disassembled the firing pin from the bolt shroud. To do this you would remove the firing pin spring by turning the retainer 90 degrees, remove the firing pin by remove the firing pin lock screw, and then you can remove the safety lever by tapping the retaining pin out. This pin is located directly to the rear of the safety lever and it can be tapped out from the outside to the inside. The retain pin hole goes down at an angle of about 30 degrees. Make sure you don't loose the pin when you push it out. Once the pin is removed you can remove the safety lever by pulling up on it. There is a plunger and spring in a hole in front of the safety lever. Even if you can get the lever to cycle by using the Kano it would probably be a good idea to take the lever out and make sure it is clean and free to move.

 

[Scooter22]

Did the bolt become "uncocked"? That will lock up the safety.

 

[sage5907]

Scooter22, you're right. The op didn't say if he had removed the firing pin assembly from the bolt and then flipped the safety off. If he did that the safety couldn't be moved with the firing pin forward. He needs to know that if he is going to remove the firing pin from the bolt the safety is to be placed in the center position and it must remain there until the firing pin assembly is screwed back into the bolt again.