I picked up my new-to-me .223 Ultra Varmint today that I bought on GunBroker and have a question about the release lever. It seems really loose. The barrel breaks open smoothly and everything appears to work fine. It just seems that the release lever should have some level of tension...both side to side and up and down.
I saw the Handi-Basics 101: 9. With a barrel locked up good, the barrel release lever will likely be loose to the point of rattling if you shake the firearm, the release should be snug with no or little looseness with the action open.
I can't tell a difference when the action is open or closed. It's all the same.
Is this an issue? Is it "ain't broke so don't fix it" or is there a sinister gremlin doing great damage inside?