740 remington won't fire

[cane]

I recently purchased a 740 Rem over the internet and when it was delivered although gauranteed to be mechanically in working order when I chamber a round the gun snaps but the cartridge won't fire. There is no mark on the primer. Any suggestions as to the problem? I think the firing pin may be broken but don't know how to tell for sure. Anyone out there have some good advice for this problem? Have never owned one of these before.

[John Traveler]

No visible firing pin mark on the primer is certainly an indication of a broken firing pin.  Assuming you chambered the correct caliber ammo, of course.  What caliber is the rifle?

Another possiblity is that dried oil and lubricant has gummed up the firing pin path, and preventing it from moving.

Stripping the Remington 740 receiver is fairly easy.  You push out the two receiver pins securing the trigger guard assembly.  Now you can access the back of the bolt/firing pin to check for free movement.

John

[cane]

John T the 740 rem is in 30-06. I bought the gun and had it shipped to my son in Wisc. He bought the ammo and attempted to fire it. The fore end had a split in it and he took it off to repair it. There was a spacer in the front end made of steel that fell out with removal of the fore end and he thought he got it back in correctly. Could the firing pin be rusted shut? He knows the correct ammo to put in it.

[cane]

Thanks John T. My son took the rifle apart last night and lo and behold there was no firing pin in it. Thanks for the help.