Glenfield/Marlin Model 60 won't fire

[Rob Aught]

I inherited a Glenfield Model 60 with a weaver scope base and the accompanying telescopic sight. This gun is quite old, I would guess at least 50 years and appears to be in excellent condition except for one major problem. It will not fire. Currently it is with a friend who was going to take a look at it, but I suspect the firing pin is out of alignment. I have not taken it to a range in a long time, so I'm not sure if the firing pin is striking the primer. If said friend cannot get it to work I'll take it to a range for another attempt and note any markings on the brass, if any.

Ultimately, I'd like to sell it but I know these guns are not going for a lot used. How much am I likely going to have to spend at a gunsmith to get the firing pin fixed so it will work again?

 

[RaceM]

It may not be the firing pin. A weak recoil spring can allow the extractors to force the bolt slightly to the rear, yielding an out of battery condition and no bang. Indications of this will be light/no firing pin hits.

To test for this condition, pull the bullet & powder from a cartridge, chamber it (tweezers hep here), push forward on the charging handle and squeeze her off. If it goes bang you've got it figured out.

If it is indeed the firing pin being short, mushroomed, or broken, no need for a smith. Drive out the pin that holds it in place and put a new firing pin in it.

 

[7.62 Nato]

Clean and inspect it should be the first steps. They're not very complicated. If you plan on selling, the cost of a gunsmith would probably not be worth it. Sell as is with full disclosure to someone willing to fix it.