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1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position

#1: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: tradecraft,

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 2:29 pm
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Hello, everyone. I'm working on a 1984 Winchester Model 70 and the safety lever is stuck in the Fire position while the bolt is in the rifle. It's not crud or gunk. It is a mechanical stoppage. In the Fire position, the trigger cocks and fires. When I remove the bolt from the action and manually cock the cocking piece, the safety lever works just fine. I've taken the bolt apart and pulled out everything. I have examined the safety cam lobe and the cutout on the firing pin and have found no burrs. The part of the sear that makes contact with the cocking piece appears to be fine as well.

Backstory: This rifle came to me in parts so I have no idea if it worked before it was brought to me. The owner doesn't know if it worked prior to bringing it to me either. After bluing I have reassembled everything including the trigger which I set to four pounds. This is a real head-scratcher so any insight would be very welcome. If pictures would help, I'm happy to provide them. Thanks.

Last edited by tradecraft on Thu Nov 14, 2024 4:07 pm; edited 1 time in total

#2: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: Tremblay, Location: Malta, Montana

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 2:38 pm
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A picture might help

#3: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: tradecraft,

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 4:08 pm
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Tremblay wrote:

A picture might help

I've added photos to the original post. Thanks.

#4: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: Vince, Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 5:14 pm
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Welcome aboard Hunting Nut tradecraft. There is a wealth of knowledge amongst our members, so hopefully someone may be able to cast some light on your problem.

Sounds like a real curly problem. It sounds like something is physically stopping the safety from being cammed over. Is there something, that is not a part of the parts you’ve checked, that is coming into contact with the safety lever/cam, stopping it from rotating? Maybe a silly question, but, are you sure that all of the parts that came with the rifle when you got it are the correct parts for that rifle? Alternatively, are there any small parts (maybe a pin or similar) missing?

Unfortunately I’m not familiar with this model of rifle, so I’m sorta clutching at straws, however, I feel certain that there is someone on The Nut that will have the requisite knowledge to be able to assist.

#5: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: Elvis, Location: south island New Zealand

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 6:18 pm
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Well you've stripped it more than I ever did mine. Actually could count on one hand the amount of times I used safety catch.always used half open bolt..still do.yeah yeah I know. Learnt to hunt with a SMLE and that habit is ingrained.take it to gunsmith.dont muck around.

#6: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: Tremblay, Location: Malta, Montana

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2024 10:32 am
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It sounds like a fitting problem or it was a spare part from another gun

#7: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: Dimitri,

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2024 6:36 pm
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I agree with Elvis... what's a firearm safety? I can't remember the last time I used one. Scratch

It's a Model 70, so it's got the normal Mauser style 3 position safety correct?

The two biggest causes of being unable to get it into the "safe" or "safe and locked" position are dirt in the bolt, and someone filing down the trigger sear to get a better trigger pull. Filing the sear prevents the bolt from fully cocking which prevents normal operation of the safety.

A trip to a gunsmith is probably the best option.

#8: Re: 1984 Winchester Model 70 safety stuck in Fire position Author: Elvis, Location: south island New Zealand

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 3:37 pm
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And trigger pull is so easy to adjust properly....why would you??? Take it to gunsmith and report back to us please.

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