Winchester Model 70 safety problem

[CaberTosser]

Prior to dragging my rifle off to a gunsmith, I was wondering if anyone here has advice on fixing a very sticky model 70 safety. I bought the rifle lightly used from P&D, and the safety was really stiff at the time; I figured a bunch of cycling and some lube would alleviate the problem. That hasn't been the case, and now the thing is so stiff I can't manipulate it to 'safe' from the 'fire' position. My finger strength is anything but dainty, and I'm reluctant to force it over with pliers or the like. I'd rather detail strip the bolt and see whats causing the problem. If anyone has some input or a good link with instructions I'd be much appreciative. It's on a .300 WSM Featherweight, controlled round feed.
Thanks

 

[tiriaq]

There is a camming surface on the safety shank that draws back the striker assembly. Sometimes because of wear the safety can cannot engage the notch in the cocking piece. If this is the situation, it may be remedied by SLIGHTLY dressing the notch in the cocking piece so that the safety can engage it. The safety shank is rather small diameter, and the engagement is not great. You have to be really careful if this is the problem, and you attempt to repair it.

 

[Dogleg]

Exactly right. Just a small relief cut on outside of the cocking piece notch will do it, just enough so the safety cam can get a start. This problem can easily be caused by stoning the sear when doing a trigger job, everything seats forward a tiny bit and the safety doesn't work any more. Some are like this from the start too. It's an easy fix.

 

[CaberTosser]

Thank you gentlemen! I got it apart last night but wanted to get some smaller pin punches so I can drive out the roll pin to free the safety lever/cam piece to dress it gently as well as its contact surface on the firing pin.