bolt rail

[billy]

I have a model 70 and about a 1/2 inch of the rail the bolt slides on is missing,bolt still slides good and you can load and unload shells with no trouble,will it hurt to use this gun? The rail is at the front of the reciever where you but the bolt in.

[gunnut69]

I'm not sure what you're referring to. There is a guide rib on some M70's that helps keep the bolt from binding in the receiver when it's opened and closed. The M70 bolt is inserted into the receiver through  the rear of the action. The front of the action is toward the chamber. Can you give us a bit more information? How did it get broken?

[billy]

Yes,in the rear of the reciever there is a rail on both sides for the bolt to slide on ,about 1/8 of the rail is missing on left side ,bolt works very good and loads ammo flawless,will this hurt the gun and is it ok to shoot? This rail is just where the bolt hits the case to load in the chamber at the rear of the reciever.

[gunnut69]

If what you're speaking of is inside the action tube then it's OK.  The old saying is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!'. Its just a guide for the bolt, which locks at the front of the action. Just curious,,how did that piece get broken?

[billy]

Not sure ,when i got home with the gun and really looked it over it was broke on one end and push down a little ,but it would work  so i pushed it up with a screwdriver and it broke. Guess i should have taken it to a gunsmith,live and learn.

[30-06man]

Sounds like you might want to go to a smith still. I wouldn't use it. Send it to one and you can have it fixed and it shouldn't be too expensive.

[gunnut69]

I believe we're still not understanding.. I would also recommend a trip to a gunsmith. The terminology is not adding up. If a bolt guide were broken you would not likely be able to bend it at all. Since we can't identify what is rally broken a trip to a gunsmith is in order..

[billy]

Inside the reciever at the rear where the bolt goes in there is thin ribs that the bolt slide on ,on the left side a small part of the rib is missing ,gun loads fine and ejects fine i was just worried can it be shot ok ,will go to a gunsmith and let him look at it.

[Rangr44]

That sounds like you're referring to the lower receiver rails/edges - as most easily viewed by looking downward through the ejection port, toward the inside of the left receiver wall, with the bolt back.

If the rail/edge had cracked, and you were able to then snap it off - doesn't ring true with me, of a normal condition, even with heavy use/abuse.

I would only think it safe to fire, after the rest of the action had been professionally checked for further cracks (magnafluxed) and passed a (Brinell) hardness test - in case the heat-treat has been effected by a fire or other heat source in the gun's past.

[billy]

Thanks for everyone ,s input ,i will take it to a gunsmith and let him advise me.

[30-06man]

If you could post some pictures it might clear up things a little before you go to your smith. I am still saying to go to the smith because it sounds like something is very wrong.