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Warning: I stopped hand-fitting bolts on most factory rifles
Everyone acts like you have to tweak every bolt for smooth operation. On common models like the Savage 110, it just doesn't change a thing. I logged the last thirty that came through without any fitting, and they all cycled fine. This old-school step adds cost and wait time for the owner. I save that careful work for true custom actions now. My shop gets guns back to people faster, and no one has complained yet.
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anna1257mo ago
My buddy's Savage 110 had a gritty bolt lift right from the store. A quick polish on the lugs made it feel like a totally different gun. That small bit of fitting can turn a good rifle into a great one for the shooter who notices the details.
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hannaht917mo ago
Glad someone's saying this out loud. The Savage 110 is a great example. Mine has never needed bolt work, and it works perfectly. All that extra fitting just delays the process. Focusing on custom actions where it actually matters makes sense. Your shop's method probably gets guns back to owners much faster.
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jackson.tyler7mo ago
Heard a gunsmith on a podcast say that hand-fitting bolts is often overkill for factory guns. He pointed out that machines now make parts with tighter tolerances. This matches your experience with the Savage 110. Skipping that step probably saves everyone time and money. Do you find that older rifles needed more tweaking than new ones?
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