I am about to change out the trigger guard on a Winchester Mod 70. I will be putting a steel one in place of the aluminum one. Is there any reason to get the one-piece bottom metal assembly or just replace the guard alone? I dont want to have to spend $400 for the dakota. Will probably get the Williams. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
kbebout
Posts: 44 | Location: Western Kentucky | Registered: 24 November 2005
since '37 there are what now, 2 million plus m70's working to the complete satisfaction of their owners without $400 aftermarket bottom metal. aesthetics and vanity aside, i'd say there are far better ways to spend $400.
Originally posted by Customstox: kbebout, Welcome to AR. You can often find the original steel trigger guard on Ebay.
If he has a post-64 model 70, he won't find an original steel guard......they didn't make them.
The pre-64 was steel, but the width was .625", as opposed to .700" wide for the post 64 which has always been either aluminum, or on some really cheap models....plastic. Replacing the orignial post-64 guard with a pre-64 model will leave an unsightly gap in the inletting.
Williams Machine Works
Posts: 1021 | Location: Prineville, OR 97754 | Registered: 14 July 2002
Quite apart from whether this modification is worth doing or not, I have found the Williams bottom metals to be of very good quality, and of reasonable price. I can't really comment on some of the fancier (pricier?) options such as Blackburn etc.
The Williams bottom metal used to be made as 2-piece (don't know if they still are?). But thanks to some fancy engineering it is almost impossible to determine they were made this way. To all intents and purposes, they are 1-piece when it come to functionality. I have the feeling the production method probably has an influence on the (reasonable) price demanded??
Matt, if you read this thread again. Is it true that a M700 SA bottom metal will have to be modified (slightly) if a Jewell trigger is employed??
- mike
********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002
These are the williams parts. My decision is weather to spend $39 on just a trigger guard or $99 on the one piece bottoom metal assembly. If there is no great advantage (as long as you dont over tighten the center screw) to the one piece I will be getting just the trigger guard.
I have put the Williams metal on both of my Winchesters and don't regret it. If you put only the trigger guard on you will always look at it and wish you had bought the one piece.
Posts: 470 | Location: SYRACUSE, UT, USA | Registered: 13 May 2002
I just purchased a 1st or 2nd year production of the new CRF model 70 rifles. The floorplate is the only part of the rifle I don't like, and in my eye the only real detraction to a fine rifle. Not a priority in my gun projects but its history, when I replace I want to use the original stock, and I will do some homework so I don't get the problem Chic is refering to, cause there is no point of putting a expnsive floorplate on that still looks like shit.
I am not a fan of Aluminum bottom metal and trigger guards on rifles. I know it was done for weight purposes, I still don't care for it, I opt for real steel.
Posts: 1486 | Location: Idaho | Registered: 28 May 2004
Matt, if you read this thread again. Is it true that a M700 SA bottom metal will have to be modified (slightly) if a Jewell trigger is employed??
- mike
This is true Mike......It requires a pretty crafty hand to make the fit and out of the smiths that I would recommend, George Gardner of GA Precision would be the guy to talk to. He's fitted quite a few and knows what the pitfalls are and how to avoid them. In the not too distant future this won't be a problem because we are completely redesigning our bottom metal line with new forgings, but alas......we still have a lot of work ahead of us to complete that.
Williams Machine Works
Posts: 1021 | Location: Prineville, OR 97754 | Registered: 14 July 2002
********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002
Originally posted by Customstox: Matt, are you going to put a draft in the new design?
Yes.....it will have a 2-3deg. draft with an inside-the-bow release system in it. The sides will be contoured with a profile that is typical of what is used on the blackburn with a radiused endmill that will taper the bow thinner near the rear guard screw and tapering outward to the front. The floorplate will also be a straddle-type.
Williams Machine Works
Posts: 1021 | Location: Prineville, OR 97754 | Registered: 14 July 2002
My M70 Supergrade Classics as well as my M70 Safari Classics all have steel one piece bottom metal. These parts look like they could be Williams?
One piece steel bottom metal always makes for a better action bedding job IMO. Even when I bed my Remingtons, I've replaced the bottom metal w/ Winchester style one piece units. I can live w/ Ruger's all steel 2pc bottom metal but I can't stand Winchester's cheap aluminum/plastic stuff.
