Gunsmithing Securing Remington bolt handles?

[Monkeyman]

And before anyone asks; yes, I have had one break off in my hand before.

I've had two handles TIG welded in place but that involved sending them away. I understand that welding is not very easy due to the solder that has to be removed first and the jig required to put the handle back in the right place.

I've seen them screwed on, that is something I could do myself.

I could also maybe TIG puddle-weld in the same hole that would be drilled to screw it on.

What's the thinking on the 'easiest way that works'?

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

Be careful if you plug weld it as to not mess up the internal threads. You will need all the solder off the bolt as you know.....cleanliness is happiness when gig welding. Use heat stop or sink the head to kill heat migration. I prefer a nice bevel that can be filled with a good looking weld or machined off.

 

[Monkeyman]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Be careful if you plug weld it as to not mess up the internal threads. You will need all the solder off the bolt as you know.....cleanliness is happiness when gig welding. Use heat stop or sink the head to kill heat migration. I prefer a nice bevel that can be filled with a good looking weld or machined off. </div></div>

Thanks; noted.

After I posted this it occurred to me that running a screw right into the internal threads and then re-cutting the threads into the tip of the screw would actually create a mechanical lock (in addition to loktite). I'm leaning towards this right now due to simplicity. Am I missing anything?

 

[LRI]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

I appreciate/identify with you concerns.

Easiest solution I've found is to order a new one piece bolt from PTG.

Takes about 6 weeks.

Good luck.

C.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

Its FAR more involved than just making sure the handle is secure. I apologize if it sounds "lecture-like" but you have a lot of things that have to be just right for a new bolt handle to fit and function properly. A matter of a few degrees makes the difference between a rifle that fires, doesn't fire, or gets sporadic light strikes. Also getting full cam is essential. For what your risking, and the quality of the end result, ordering a PTG unit or having a seasoned expert do the work is well worth it.

My $0.02.

 

[RingSteel]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I appreciate/identify with you concerns.

Easiest solution I've found is to order a new one piece bolt from PTG.

</div></div>

Excellent advice.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

A new bolt is nice but, if you are dealing with a trued action that has had much trimmed off the internal lug abutments you may find the new bolt solution lacking in extraction cam. I like to run minimal clearance on my handles in order to get max extraction cam out of them. If your going to tig one it is best fully removed and clean up before attempting to weld. A properly welded handle will fail the handle itself long before it will pull the welds.

Check out the "benchduck" videos on Youtube. He has done a nice job showing the process.

 

[Monkeyman]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kenda</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Its FAR more involved than just making sure the handle is secure. I apologize if it sounds "lecture-like" but you have a lot of things that have to be just right for a new bolt handle to fit and function properly. A matter of a few degrees makes the difference between a rifle that fires, doesn't fire, or gets sporadic light strikes. Also getting full cam is essential. For what your risking, and the quality of the end result, ordering a PTG unit or having a seasoned expert do the work is well worth it.

My $0.02. </div></div>

I appreciate that, that's why I was trying to avoid taking the handle off at all. I'm leaning towards adding a screw for that reason.

 

[jonbearman]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

Sen it to gre-tan and he will do it in short order.If you are breaking bolt handles than there is something else wrong.I have owned over 200 rifles and never had it happen.

 

[Big Cal]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

Put a screw in it in my opinion otherwise silversolder it with a blowtorch it's easy to do it at home just make up ur own jig to keep it in place properly but I agree with most other people you have got bigger problems. If you've had the bolt hot blued that may be your problem because the caustic chemicals eat silver solder I've seen this first hand with my great grandfathers shotgun when my uncle restored it and the moron who did the job hot blued it and ate away the silver solder and the barrels fell off the rib not long after he got it back lucky it's just a nostalgic gun now and isn't shot and luckily we were able to resolder it and then cold blue it properly

 

[Monkeyman]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

Thanks for the input all.

I have had one Remmy bolt handle break off with no abnormal use. It was a new SPS and I've subsequently read that a few leave the factory with bad solder joints. That prompted me to have all the 700s I owned at the time tig welded for peace of mind. I have a new LTR and I'd prefer not to go through the grief again, hence my question. I think just to be safe I'll drill and tap in a screw without messing with the factory solder.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Re: Securing Remington bolt handles?

I have always shunned the screw approach. I'm no engineer but it just looks like drilling and countersinking the handle for a screw is removing a good 1/3 of the cross section of the handle right where the stress is the highest. In my head it is about the same as scoring a line where you want it to break.

I would like to see a side by side test like I have seen with welded verses screwed handles to see if my hypothesis has any merit.