I just bought a Savage 340E in 22 Hornet at a show today. I have a question about the bolt removal. When the gun is on safe and you operate the bolt action, you can remove the bolt by pulling it all the way back. If however you cycle the bolt while in the fire mode, the bolt will not come out. Is this the way the bolt is removed on this gun. I'm used to having to pull the trigger while pulling the bolt back for bolt removal on most other guns.

I can;t speak to your particular rifle and I have not owned one since about 1968. The bolt was removed from mine by pulling the trigger.

On my 340 the safety locks the bolt. You may have something broken in the trigger group. Here's a schematic to help you find the problem:



S40

Hey South40, is yours a 340E? When you remove the bolt do you have to pull the trigger? Thanks.

I have two 340B's in .222Rem here now. On both the safety locks the bolt closed (there is a small projection on the safety lever that mates to a dimple on the rear of the bolt handle). However you can release the safety, raise the bolt slightly and re-engage the safety, then work the bolt. The bolt does not come out while the safety is engaged. Don't know if the bolt-lock function was done away with on the later models but can't imagine the bolt is supposed to come out as you describe!
BTW - the bolt IS removed by holding the trigger back as you said.

Thanks oupa. My Model 340C has to have the trigger pulled to remove the bolt. But this 340E the bolt can be removed when the safety is on if you cycle the bolt. When the gun is in the fire mode and you cycle the bolt, it doesn't come out. I'm not sure if there is something wrong or this is how the 340E works.

Does anyone have a 340E to confirm the bolt removal process. Thanks.

Since Savage is one of the very few American gun makers still in business and in spite of the 340 being out of production... I suggest you contact them. That said, if I understand right the bolt does not come out during normal operation but you have to depress the safety to remove it???

On mine (both "B"s) the sear acts as bolt stop. It catches in a beveled notch on the bottom of the bolt body. The safety locks the trigger. If unable to pull the trigger, the sear does not move and the bolt cannot be removed. IF your bolt is retained by this same notch I'd guess something is wrong. Some do not like bolt locks - I have mixed feelings on it - however having the safety on while unloading would be a plus. Having the bolt come out while you do so would be a bummer! Better check with Savage and by all means LET US KNOW the results.

WELL IT'S FIXED........ Thank you so much to Tip Burns in Texas. I called him about it. He was nice enough to take one off the shelf, remove the stock and go over each working part of the action. We finally resolved the trigger & sear springs didn't have enough tension and the safty catch was putting too much pressuer on the sear lever. A little bending here and there has the rifle working as intended.
Thanks everyone here for the ideas and responses. A special thanks to Tip Burns. I'll bet he spent an hour on the phone with me. I really wish his shop was closer to me. With an attitude like his, he will always be busy. Thanks again Tip if you see this.