Help with Model 70 bolt

tesla276 · September 21, 2008, 09:56 PM

My 1976 Winchester Model 70 30.06 has a problem that's scaring the crap out of me.

When you take off the safety, sometimes the gun will fire.
You're sitting with it on full safety, you see the deer, you put it on half safety, you're ready to shoot and you switch it to no safety and all of a sudden BANG, the gun fires without you pulling the trigger.

Has anybody had this problem, or heard of it?
I've had the bolt apart since the problem started, but I can't see anything wrong.

Any help relative or not would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance

R.Childs · September 21, 2008, 10:41 PM

Have you had any trigger work done or have you adjusted it yourself?

hoghunting · September 22, 2008, 12:34 AM

I'm with R.Childs in that your trigger needs the sear engagement adjusted.

Harry Bonar · September 22, 2008, 09:26 AM

Sir;
I would have the entire trigger/safety looked at by a competent gunsmith. This is an extremely dangerous condition.
Harry B.

Scorch · September 22, 2008, 10:41 AM

I'm with them. Doesn't sound like a problem with the bolt, sounds more like it is a trigger problem. The Model 70 triggers were good triggers, but if the got worn or dirty they could act like this one. Have a good gunsmith look at it.

Alleykat · September 22, 2008, 12:32 PM

Unfortunately, there is no consumer-adjustable engagement adjustment on a Mod. 70. Either send it to Winchester (is there still a Winchester?) or take it to a competent gunsmith. Could be that the trigger pull weight needs to be made a little heavier, which is consumer-adjustable, without the services of a gunsmith.

**James K** · September 22, 2008, 01:19 PM

It may be a failure of sear reset. That means that if you cock the rifle, set the safety and then pull the trigger (as many do to "check the safety"), the sear does not re-engage. When the safety is released, the gun fires.

This can be caused by wear or by an inept attempt at trigger adjustment. Regardless of cause, it is dangerous and should be corrected by a competent gunsmith. New parts may be needed, so the fix can be costly.

Jim

September 21, 2008, 09:56 PM	#1
tesla276 Junior Member Join Date: September 21, 2008 Posts: 1	Help with Model 70 bolt My 1976 Winchester Model 70 30.06 has a problem that's scaring the crap out of me. When you take off the safety, sometimes the gun will fire. You're sitting with it on full safety, you see the deer, you put it on half safety, you're ready to shoot and you switch it to no safety and all of a sudden BANG, the gun fires without you pulling the trigger. Has anybody had this problem, or heard of it? I've had the bolt apart since the problem started, but I can't see anything wrong. Any help relative or not would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance

September 22, 2008, 09:26 AM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,803	trigger Sir; I would have the entire trigger/safety looked at by a competent gunsmith. This is an extremely dangerous condition. Harry B.

September 22, 2008, 10:41 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,029	I'm with them. Doesn't sound like a problem with the bolt, sounds more like it is a trigger problem. The Model 70 triggers were good triggers, but if the got worn or dirty they could act like this one. Have a good gunsmith look at it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

September 22, 2008, 01:19 PM	#7
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,398	It may be a failure of sear reset. That means that if you cock the rifle, set the safety and then pull the trigger (as many do to "check the safety"), the sear does not re-engage. When the safety is released, the gun fires. This can be caused by wear or by an inept attempt at trigger adjustment. Regardless of cause, it is dangerous and should be corrected by a competent gunsmith. New parts may be needed, so the fix can be costly. Jim __________________ Jim K

September 21, 2008, 10:41 PM	#2
R.Childs Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2008 Location: S.Georgia Posts: 164	Have you had any trigger work done or have you adjusted it yourself?

September 22, 2008, 12:34 AM	#3
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2006 Posts: 1,236	I'm with R.Childs in that your trigger needs the sear engagement adjusted.

September 22, 2008, 12:32 PM	#6
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	Unfortunately, there is no consumer-adjustable engagement adjustment on a Mod. 70. Either send it to Winchester (is there still a Winchester?) or take it to a competent gunsmith. Could be that the trigger pull weight needs to be made a little heavier, which is consumer-adjustable, without the services of a gunsmith.