m700 firing pin removal

[stratocaster]

How do I replace the firing pin and spring on a 700.  What special tools, if any, do I need? I have heard people say no special tool are needed, is this true?  Any suggestions as to pin and spring upgrades?  Thanks

[gunnut69]

There are several tools for compressing the mainspring on a Remington 700 once the striker/mainspring assembly is removed from the bolt.  To do that remove the bolt from the rifle and hook the striker sear(on bottom of bolt, the piece held by the trigger mechanism) over a hard surface.  I usually use a piece of aluminum held in the vise.  retract the striker to the rear a bit past the cocked notch.  This exposes a small cut on the side of the cocking piece.  This is the part extending from the rear of the bolt(from the bolt shroud).  The slot is sized to accept a penny inserted in it.  In sert the penny and hold it there while slowly releasing the spring pressure.  The penny will retain the striker/cocking cam assembly to the rear allowing the entire striker assembly to be unscrewed from the bolt body.  Removal past this point without a take down tool can be very dangerous as the parts are under heavy spring tension.  The specific tool will give directions for it's use.  Might I ask why you are wanting to replace either the mainspring or the striker?  The cocking piece can be removed from the firing pin, bolt shroud assembly by driving a pin out and releasing the tension of the device used to take down the bolt.

[stratocaster]

Thanks gunnut,
The reason I want to replace the spring and firing pin is because I just had the gun rebareled from a 30/06 to 280ai by pac-nor.  The action was quite old and I just wanted to "freshen" everything up.  I figured since I spent the money for a quality re-barrel, trued up action, lapped lugs, mcmillan stock etc, why not?  The spring does "feel" weak compared to another 700 (300 win) I have which is only a few years old.  This will be my primary whitetail and mule deer gun and would hate to have somethng (a 30 year old main spring) malfunction in below zero weather when a once in a lifetime shot presents itself.