I'm in the process of replacing a broken firing pin retractor spring on my 740, but the damn operating handle retaining pin is impossible to drift out, is there a special tool for this? or do i just carefully drill the roll pin out? has anyone out there ever attempted remove the pin without buggering up the ejector port cover?

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, season's starting and this the only rifle I have

The ejection port cover has a notch in it specifically to clear the bolt handle pin. The notch has to be aligned with the pin. Pull the trigger housing. You can access the bolt handle pin from the underside. Once the notch is aligned, drive the pin straight out. You might want to place a piece of masking tape over the port cover to hold it in place and to catch the pin.

The pin is install from the bottom up and MUST be remove from the top. There are splines on the pin (it's not a roll pin) and would be impossible to drive out from the bottom. You also need to be careful that you don't let the drift punch mar the top edge of the ejection port. It's easiest to do this after removing the action spring. That will allow you to position the bolt and port cover without fighting the spring. You'll be doing that anyway to get the bolt out.

When reinstalling the pin, it must be driven in almost flush to not interfere with the magazine.

quote:

Originally posted by M Pursell:
The pin is install from the bottom up and MUST be remove from the top.

That's right, drive the pin from the top. It didn't look right when my rebellious fingers put it in print.