Savage 64 semi left handed .22 charging handle stuck ?

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Hello,

I just recently purchased a new Savage 64 semi left handed .22.
I put around 25 -30 rounds through it - no issues.

Then during firing, the charging handle became stuck to the far right. There was still 1 unfired round in the magazine. I have not tried to force the charging handle to the left. But, it seems stuck where it is. (see attached photo).

I am not mechanically minded so maybe I am missing something obvious ?

Your advice would be appreciated. Thank you!!

20241106_152732.jpg
 
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Pull it back towards rear a touch and pull the charging handle outwards. It may just be in its locked position


Edit. Wait no. I can see where it would lock.
Interesting
 
You can lock the bolt open by pulling it to the rear and pressing the charging handle in. To unlock it you just pull the charging handle out.

If that is not the issue I would pull the stock off and see if there is anything obviously out of place.

A quick google brought me to a reddit thread that has someone complaining about the bolt getting stuck on the ejector rail, and having to use a screwdriver to get the bolt to release forward. Worth taking a look if that is also your issue.
https://www.reddit.com/r/22lr/comments/1dx1657/savage_64


Also FYI, when discussing guns they are usually talked about from the perspective of looking in the direction the gun would fire, so the bolt moves forward and backward, rather than left and right. I think most people can understand what you're saying thanks to the picture, but without that visual aid it can be hard to interpret what you mean "the charging handle became stuck to the far right".
 
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On mine. If the action bolts were to tight (not the 2 you see on the bottom of the stock. The 2 those screw into. (You’ll see if you take it apart)
But the bolts inside would contact the bolt if to tight. 2-3 passes with a file and all is well now
 
One of my 64s did that a few years ago. I don't recall the solution, but I don't remember it taking that long to sort out.

I'd remove the stock and barrel to get a better look. There are some screws you can back off in there that hold things together. Depending on the model of 64, you have to undo them to remove the stock and barrel anyway. If one of them is in too far (or too long), it could be a problem.

If all looks well, try applying a little more force to see if the handle will move.

Try rotating the handle too -- it might be that it has some imperfection, and it's bound up in that slot that it's in. They're supposed to rotate, but some of them are stiff.

FYI -- there are aftermarket charging handles for those that are far better than the factory one.
 
You got me curious enough that I pulled the stock off one of my 64s. If I remember right, one of those two screws aft of the magwell was the problem. It goes through to the underside of the bolt, and if it's too long there'll be trouble. Back them off, and your bolt should move again.

Depending on the model of 64, one of those screws might be a big hex nut that holds your stock in place.


20241106_203515.jpg
 
The 64s collect a lot of crap if they run very wet, sorta 'wide-open' in there. I use silicone 'dri-lube' spray on mine, especially on the bolt. And polished the bolt and inside of the receiver, too. But they do run OK dirty and a bit of spray cleans them up again.
 
Well I removed the stock and see that immediately to the rear of the magazine assembly, it appears that a screw is missing? There is an empty hole. Perhaps this caused the charging handle - bolt to get stuck towards the butt end of the gun. It is still stuck.



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mcaswell said:
You got me curious enough that I pulled the stock off one of my 64s. If I remember right, one of those two screws aft of the magwell was the problem. It goes through to the underside of the bolt, and if it's too long there'll be trouble. Back them off, and your bolt should move again.

Depending on the model of 64, one of those screws might be a big hex nut that holds your stock in place.


View attachment 848701
Click to expand...


My gun appears to be missing 1 of the 2 screws ...
 
Looks to me like they did away with the screw at some point over the years. There is no hole in the action for a screw to thread into that I can see?
 
It looks like a manufacturing defect as the unthreaded blank hole is to allow a short phillips head screw to pass through and screw into a threaded hole in the bottom of the receiver. Your receiver doesn't appear to have that hole drilled and tapped, so no screw..
If you remove the magazine holder with it's recessed allen head screw it might free things up, but I think if it was me I'd be contacting both the seller, and Savage warranty.
 
IMG_4115.jpeg


I’d back this screw off a touch and see if it frees up the bolt.
My guess is that one screw is missing cause it was giving issues (assuming you got it used maybe) and was left backed off maybe
Like mentioned before. I filed down my problem screws.
If not. I’d look into the extractor thing like mentions before. Should be able to look into the action actually. And see if it is the extractor. It slots into the bolt on the back side

With how far back the bolt is. I’m thinking it’s hung up on the extractor though
 
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Make sure the barrel is indexed correctly.
There is a bit of movement between it and the receiver.
If it’s twisted a bit it could cause the bolt to hang up.

Oh, lube it up.
 
22forever said:
"Obviously the bolt closed when you took the stock off." ??? Still looks jammed to the back in the last pic.
Click to expand...
Sorry I forgot it was a LH bolt.

Guess start loosening stuff till the bolt is free. Been awhile since I had a 64. I wonder if maybe the ejector twisted. I had couple 22s that the ejector is bolted and if shifts can cause the bolt to bind back
 
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