Cooey / Savage 64 mag release - what an absolute POS.

Dark Alley Dan

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Hey, folks.

I use a Savage 64 as a course gun for the CFSC because it's cheap, simple, and if the students drop it on the floor I don't care so much.

In an effort to make it easier to work with, I've installed an extended bolt handle. Now they can get one and a half fingers on there. Should make it more manageable for people with less hand strength. But that mag release remains a real stumbling block for a lot of students.

I've seen a couple of commercial replacement options, including some printed examples that are questionable. I've also noted that Savage appears to be aware of the issue and now sends the 64 out the door with an improved latch with a little spur on it that allows you to more eaily push the latch forward rather than "inward", if you follow.

I've checked WGP and come away disappointed. Epps has never heard of it. Savage won't sell parts directly. Any other sources for either the improved factory mag catch or a decent, sturdy alternative?
 
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I have a DIP extended magazine release on mine, it works really well. I don’t know where you can get it anymore, DIP website show’s it back ordered the same with Kinney’s shooting supply.

I did come across this from doctor deals it’s a complete magazine well replacement with the newer style magazine release. Price wise it looks to be about the same as the DIP one after the exchange rate.

https://doctordeals.ca/product/savage-lakefield-cooey-64-magazine-housing-new-extended-mag-release/
 
I have a DIP extended magazine release on mine, it works really well. I don’t know where you can get it anymore, DIP website show’s it back ordered the same with Kinney’s shooting supply.

I did come across this from doctor deals it’s a complete magazine well replacement with the newer style magazine release. Price wise it looks to be about the same as the DIP one after the exchange rate.

https://doctordeals.ca/product/savage-lakefield-cooey-64-magazine-housing-new-extended-mag-release/
Thanks, bud - that'd be a good fix if they had one in stock. Looks much simpler to swap out than just the latch, too.
 
I just drilled a hole in the OEM release and stuck a piece of coat-hanger in. I then put on a dab of JB-weld - ca about 10 years ago and still working fine. And I 'opened' the magwell a bit, makes easy insertion !O! I used about 1/3 of a pen-spring to replace the T-return spring and polished the sear and any friction points. Finally, I bub'd the charging handle with a self-tapping bolt and a 'loose-nut'.

Sav-64-mag-well-opened.jpg

Savage-22-Charge-Knob-2.jpg
 
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