MKII M77 bolt release stuck closed?!

[Al James]

Ok, so I have owned and handled a few of these rifles and I have never seen this happen. I bought a SS MKII 25-06 online and when the rifle showed up it had quite a few issues one of which is the bolt release will not move allowing me to get the bolt out. I soaked it with CLP overnight and still nothing. Has anyone had this happen before? I found a schematic and am just getting ready to rip it apart but figured I would inquire here before starting. Thanks in advance!

 

[Al James]

Nevermind, the previous owner must have took it apart and put it back together wrong. The screw was only tightened to the the point where you have to depress the plunger. So basically the back of the screw head was resting on top of the plunger.

So I took it apart, put the screw back in with the assembly out of the gun, depressed the plunger allowing the screw to go further into its proper place and then replaced the entire assembly. Fixed. The previous owner was probably like WTF and finally decided to sell it. I like cheap fixes just wish it had been mentioned in the auction listing, along with all of the other issues. Sight unseen is a gamble I guess.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I trust that his feedback reflects the "surprises" he sent you.