Gunsmithing Where are my win70 firing pin assembly experts at?

[Iamero]

Hey guys, I was having primer ignition issues with my Win70 so I did some measuring on the firing pin protrusion. That all checked out fine so I decided to upgrade to the 30lb Wolff spring instead of the 22lb (it was recommended I try this since my bolt has the Tubb Speeklock firing pin assembly).

Well naturally in the process of changing springs I sent one of the washers across my garage at Mach 10 and it is MIA. I am wondering if I actually need that spacer washer for everything to function. The reason I ask is that MGW's schematic in the link below shows that the control round feed firing pin assembly doesn't even have that part (see 18A on the CR Push Feed and Push Feed models).

Bolt Parts

All parts listed here are specific to post 1964 Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifles chambered in various SA, LA, WSM and WSSM calibers unless noted otherwise. MGW carries replacement stocks, magazines, breech bolts, one/two piece trigger guards, pins, recoil pads, sights, springs and other...

www.midwestgunworks.com

Below is a picture of my firing pin assembly after I put it back together without the other washer (18A). I put it back in the rifle and everything is currently functioning as it should. Do I leave it and go hit the range or should I order the $8 washer to put it back together as it was?

 

[WhiteDingo]

I've seen plenty of 70s missing that washer that work fine.

 

[Satterlee]

Your spring won't bunch up and deflect if you have the solid washer on. It would also appear to me that your slotted washer currently needs to be turned around 180. The counter bore on the slotted washer goes towards the front. To assemble M-70 firing assemblies I have a piece of 1/4 x 1-1/4 flat bar stock with a 5/16 wide slot cut in it. The bar stock assembly tool gets clamped in the bench vise then slide the shroud on, then the spring, then the solid washer, the I butt washer on the tool in the vise, compress the spring, the end of the spring is then protruding thru the assembly tool. Simply place the open slotted washer counter bore to front and let off on the compression. You now have the spring and solid washer both on one side of the tool and the slotted washer on the other, it's holding it self there under spring tension. Next carefully slide the whole works thru the slot in the tool, when it clears the tool, the solid washer and slotted washer meet up as there is no tool separating them and it's done. I for one have launched my fair share of those washers, but haven't launched one in a good 25 years, since the simple tool. Hope this helps, should you decide to redo yours.

 

[Iamero]

Thanks! It just appears the washer is backwards, the counterbored side is toward the front tip of the firing pin. I grabbed a box of remington core lokt yesterday and shot the whole box with no issues at all so far. I'll probably grab a replacement solid washer next time I need something else from there in order to save on shipping.

 

[Satterlee]

Thanks! It just appears the washer is backwards, the counterbored side is toward the front tip of the firing pin. I grabbed a box of remington core lokt yesterday and shot the whole box with no issues at all so far. I'll probably grab a replacement solid washer next time I need something else from there in order to save on shipping.

That would be a good move as we all want our rifles to be the best they can be. Simple physics would suggest a full 360 degrees of spring support is best as designed by Winchester. Clearly, Winchester has built their fair share of rifles, that washer, matters, other wise it would not be there. Getting that little washer back in, upon final assembly is important. Getting the right tool to get it in simply takes all the fight and struggle out of the process,. Simple advise...I hope this helps.