I would look for any signs of tampering, especially in the trigger area. Look for filing or grinding on the trigger parts, on the cocking piece or on the bolt. You are not really concerned about neglect; your concern is with damage or amateur gunsmithing that would reduce safety.
I don't know if they still do, but Remington used to sell actions to gunsmiths, and you might explore that route; that way the action would be new and at least some of the extra cost would be made up for by the gunsmith not having to strip an old gun down to the action.
Jim
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