I have two M70s, one purchased new and the other second hand. Both rifles exhibit some play when the bolt is closed and the bolt handle jiggled with the safety in the fully locked position. Is this normal, and if not, what can be done about it?
It seems to me that if the bolt can move when closed, accuracy could suffer. Does this make sense?
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Posts: 574 | Location: The great plains of southern Alberta | Registered: 11 March 2005
Originally posted by Wooly ESS: I have two M70s, one purchased new and the other second hand. Both rifles exhibit some play when the bolt is closed and the bolt handle jiggled with the safety in the fully locked position. Is this normal, and if not, what can be done about it?
Yes, it is normal.
quote:
It seems to me that if the bolt can move when closed, accuracy could suffer. Does this make sense?
Originally posted by Wooly ESS: I have two M70s, one purchased new and the other second hand. Both rifles exhibit some play when the bolt is closed and the bolt handle jiggled with the safety in the fully locked position. Is this normal, and if not, what can be done about it?
It seems to me that if the bolt can move when closed, accuracy could suffer. Does this make sense?
Play in the bolt when it is closed and locked is normal. How and to what degree it affects accuracy is at the heart of the debate and depends on a lot of things. It is the result of machining tolerances, and is necessary to some degree, for individual pieces to operate reliably. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I imagine the extra play could have an effect if the tolerances were that lose,which they usually aren't.
However, that extra play does allow the bolt handle to rise up easier during use. Which is why the M70 devotees all preach about the bolt lock down feature.
Posts: 837 | Location: wyoming | Registered: 19 February 2002
