Problem with Winchester Model 70 Safety Lever?

[Bobson]

I had decided to buy a new Winchester M70 Extreme Weather. When I went to the store to pick it up, here's what I found:

Then I noticed the 3rd position on the safety (the bolt lock) was broken. It wasn't properly locking the bolt down. I brought it to his attention, and he said they would have to send it back to get it fixed before selling it, and I couldn't have it placed "on hold" for me. I asked if he could order another M70 EW from another store for the same price; after he checked that another had them, he agreed. It should be here within two weeks, and they'll call me when it gets here.

The second rifle (a new M70 Extreme Weather in .270) came in a couple of days ago, from one of the Sportsman's Warehouse stores in Utah... except when it got here, they called and told me it had the exact same problem. The safety lever won't lock back fully in the 3rd position, it just kind of pops back out on it's own, so it won't lock the bolt.

They said they have to send it in to Winchester for repair before selling it, like they did with the first one. At this point, I'm kind of worried that the safety lever might be a design flaw or something. Or is it a coincidence that the same exact problem occurred on two different M70 Extreme Weather rifles?

Anyone own new-production M70s experience this? I can't help but wonder if I should look for a new rifle altogether, and be glad I'm seeing this before buying the rifle.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

My Winchester 70 Stealths' saftey has been flawless, odd to hear about that.

 

[Geno]

My Stealth and replacement Super Grade have been fine. That stated, my first Super Grade, overall, was completely messed-up. Hopefully Winchester gets a handle on these types of issues. Once bit, twice shy and all that jazz. Hopefully, you get a good rifle...soon.

Geno

 

[browningwgm]

I purchased a new 270 Extreme Weather 2 years ago from an online dealer. When it came in, the safety wouldn't even go into the third position. I sent it back to Winchester and about a week later I received a brand new gun. I'm very pleased with the new one, it's probably my most accurate gun.

 

[RyeDaddy]

My 2008 (FN production) 70 Featherweight does exactly what you describe. I bought it over the internet used, so no warranty coverage I assume. Thinking of taking it to a gunsmith, but haven't gotten around to it.

 

[az_imuth]

I have a 2010 model Super Grade in 30-06 and haven't had any trouble with the safety other than it being a little stiff in the beginning. I't smoothed up pretty well since then though.

 

[tc54]

i bought a new fn supergrade a couple months ago. the safety works fine. hope you get the safety issue worked out.

 

[jmr40]

This is the 1st issue I've heard of with the new Winchesters, and you got 2 with the same problem. I have the same rifle in 308 that has been the most perfect rifle I've ever owned. Let us know how this works out. I'm interested in how Winchester handles the issue.

 

[joed]

You guys with the Stealths, are those being made again? Last year I wanted one in .22-250 but I found they weren't even making the Stealth anymore at that time. I've heard they are making them again.

I have one of the older ones, it's been a great gun.

 

[Geno]

Yes, they are still being manufactured, but only in .308 Win. I used mine for deer hunting this year.

Link: http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=001C&mid=535120

Geno

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Bingo! Got mine for $850 otd.

 

[lovethosesooners]

I have a new Sporter in .270 that is my FAVORITE rifle-absolutely flawless gun (including the safety-functions perfectly).

 

[txace01]

New Super Grade, no problems what so ever.

 

[Slamfire]

They said they have to send it in to Winchester for repair before selling it, like they did with the first one. At this point, I'm kind of worried that the safety lever might be a design flaw or something. Or is it a coincidence that the same exact problem occurred on two different M70 Extreme Weather rifles?

I agree, send it back to Winchester.

I have had safety problems with pre 64's. But that was due to wear.

If you were to remove the firing pin from the bolt shroud you would see the inter relationships between the safety, the cam cut on the back of the firing pin and then there is the distance to the lugs. Everything has to be to correct dimensions and line up for the everything to work.

While I filed to fit my pre 64, I don't recommend that on a new gun with access to new parts. Have them send it to Winchester and those guys will reach in the parts bin and start swapping parts till they get it to work.

 

[rbernie]

I've handled several new Mod70's at local gun shops/gun shows in recent years that had this issue; two from the last production cycles in New Haven and the remainder from the facility in SC.

 

[AABEN]

My 2008 (FN production) 70 Featherweight does exactly what you describe. I bought it over the internet used, so no warranty coverage I assume. Thinking of taking it to a gunsmith, but haven't gotten around to it.

Send it to Winchester and tell them it is unsafe. They should fix it free. Could call them to see if they would pay the shipping both way. The safety is no new issue so they should do it. GOOD LUCK

 

[P-32]

Quote:
Originally Posted by RyeDaddy
My 2008 (FN production) 70 Featherweight does exactly what you describe. I bought it over the internet used, so no warranty coverage I assume. Thinking of taking it to a gunsmith, but haven't gotten around to it.

Send it to Winchester and tell them it is unsafe. They should fix it free. Could call them to see if they would pay the shipping both way. The safety is no new issue so they should do it. GOOD LUCK

I would think they would fix it anyway. Call Winchester and find out what to do.....

Hey Abben, I always thought the big guns were in the Navy not the little guns...

 

[Bobson]

So what do you guys think? Once the rifle comes back from Winchester (fixed, I would hope), is this something likely to happen again and again on the same rifle? Or would it be a good rifle to buy once they address it?

 

[USSR]

So what do you guys think? Once the rifle comes back from Winchester (fixed, I would hope), is this something likely to happen again and again on the same rifle? Or would it be a good rifle to buy once they address it?

Let's see, I have 5 Model 70's, and have never had or heard of this problem. I'd say, if it works from the get-go, it is likely to remain working. But, I have to wonder, since this is such an easy thing to check at the factory, why don't they check it prior to shipping to distributors?

Don

 

[RyeDaddy]

Update on mine:

I called Winchester and explained the problem, and also explained that I was not the original owner and that I didn't believe I had warranty coverage. They said to send it in (at my expense) and that if it was not the result of someone monkeying with it that they would cover the repair and the return shipping. I'm happy with that, so I'm going to send it in. Forgot to ask whether I needed to send the entire rifle or just the bolt, whoops!

 

[Slamfire]

I called Winchester and explained the problem, and also explained that I was not the original owner and that I didn't believe I had warranty coverage. They said to send it in (at my expense) and that if it was not the result of someone monkeying with it that they would cover the repair and the return shipping. I'm happy with that, so I'm going to send it in. Forgot to ask whether I needed to send the entire rifle or just the bolt, whoops!

That is more than fair, that is excellent customer service.

 

[Bobson]

Update...

I called Sportsman's Warehouse today (well, Yesterday now), to check up and see if they had one (or both) of the M70 Extreme Weather rifles returned yet. The guy I spoke with confirmed that Winchester did send the first M70 EW back - but the safety still wasn't working properly!

He told me the gun staff had gone through inventory and checked out the other EW rifles, and found that every single M70 Extreme Weather in the store had the same issue with the malfunctioning safety, so every single one was returned to Winchester for repairs.

To someone who was (is?) really looking forward to buying this rifle, this is super discouraging, and the fact that Winchester returned one of the rifles without fixing the problem only makes things worse.

What's the deal? I almost want to contact Winchester about this myself and get some answers - but I don't even own one of their rifles. I'd like to (can't help it - that's the nicest, most comfortable rifle I've ever handled), but they're making it really difficult.

 

[az_imuth]

I almost want to contact Winchester about this myself and get some answers - but I don't even own one of their rifles.

I certainly wouldn't let that stop me from calling them. Call 'em up and see what they have to say.

 

[Bobson]

Called and spoke with a lady in general customer service (Brianna maybe?), and with a gentleman in the Repair & Service department (Rudy). Both claimed they've never even heard of the issue. Rudy (the gent in the Repair/Service dept) didn't even understand what I was explaining to him, and asked me to go through it step by step a couple of times (lift bolt and move to the rear; send bolt forward and lock it down; move safety to third/rear position, at which point it flips out on it's own, and does not lock the bolt), and he was dumbfounded as to what could be causing the issue, and/or why it may be present on the Extreme Weather rifles more often than the other M70 models.

I asked how long the turnaround time is on a typical repair, from the customer shipping it in, to Winchester shipping it back out, and he told me it can be as long as 4-5 weeks. -_- I may start looking for a different rifle. What a letdown.

 

[jmr40]

I pulled out my 2 older Stainless Classics made in 2000 and 2006 and compared them to the newer FN EW I've had for about 2 years. With the safety all the way back it does engage more firmly on the older rifles, but still works and functions just fine on the newer rifle. The difference is very subtle and I'd never have noticed it if I had not compared them side by side.

If you're lost confidence in Winchester, look at the Ruger All Weather. They are not quite as refined, but generally work very well. For a lot less money.