Hinged floor plate issue

[Jager]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum....I was just going over a couple of dads guns (a Winchester M70 featherweight and a Weatherby Mark V magnum). Both are wood stocked and both have issues with the hinged floor plate staying closed. The latches on both rifles don't seem to fully engage for a positive lock. It's peculiar that 2 different rifles have the same issue and before I do something foolish (files?) I thought I'd ask first for tips/tricks.

 

[guntech]

I think the best tip I can give you is to take them to someone qualified to diagnose and fix the problems.

 

[gunrunner100]

Where are they stored?
What's the humidity like?
My thinking is the wood has shrunk a bit.