Remington 700 Firing pin Spring

[Eraser]

My 700 SA is about 43yrs old. I wanted to replace the firing pin spring. I got everything together to expose the retaining pin that holds the spring in and all went well, except............. I can not get it to budge. It appears to be staked in.
I thought I could drill out the staked area around the pin and push it out, but the metal is harder then hell. I never made a dent. Suggestions please.

 

[qldreloader]

I've replaced about a dozen Remington 700 firing pin springs over the years and never seen one that was staked on. What model/year of rifle do you have? I wonder if it has been modified by someone - or are you the original owner?

You can buy an entire assembly ready to screw into the bolt body for about $75.00 if worse comes to worse.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Possibly someone tried to remove the pin with the wrong size punch or some other tool. Most just push out. Let it soak in penetrating oil.

 

[jelenko]

I had a shroud that bent the cross pin. The pin would be in there pretty tight.

 

[Bill Rodolph]

Start with a center punch and make sure you have good solid backing.

 

[Eraser]

I've replaced about a dozen Remington 700 firing pin springs over the years and never seen one that was staked on. What model/year of rifle do you have? I wonder if it has been modified by someone - or are you the original owner?

You can buy an entire assembly ready to screw into the bolt body for about $75.00 if worse comes to worse.

Like I said, it's a 700 SA and is about 43 years old. I am the original owner.
It may not be staked in. What makes me think it might be is the hole for the pin is not a normal looking, drilled straight through type hole. It's dished around the pin on both ends, like a stake on.

 

[Eraser]

Start with a center punch and make sure you have good solid backing.

Wouldn't a center punch tend to expand the pin in the hole?

 

[boltfluter]

Start with a center punch and make sure you have good solid backing.

As Bill suggested but with a flat tipped punch. Most Remington firing pin shroud holes are drilled off center. So upon reassembly one way slips in, and the other not so much. Seen this literally hundreds of times! A short, solid punch usually makes quick work of this. Good luck!

Paul

 

[Eraser]

Thanks Paul, I'll give it another go.

 

[rogina]

Thanks Paul, I'll give it another go.

Don't give up. The old ones are tight and rusted in. Get a bigger hammer.

 

[1911nut]

I recently replaced a fp spring on a 53 year old 40X, it was a bear to get the pin out, Kroil and hammerin. Once it moved it came right out.
I saw the videos where they tapped out easily, not mine.

 

[Eraser]

Don't give up. The old ones are tight and rusted in. Get a bigger hammer.

I stopped being gentile and made some headway. Also had to enlist a friend for that third hand. I broke two punches but when they got shorter, I started gaining ground. And then finialy success. Before I got started this morning I was thinking
about what gldreloader said, "a new one is about $75.00." I'm glad I stuck with it.

 

[Eraser]

As Bill suggested but with a flat tipped punch. Most Remington firing pin shroud holes are drilled off center. So upon reassembly one way slips in, and the other not so much. Seen this literally hundreds of times! A short, solid punch usually makes quick work of this. Good luck!

Paul

I remembered what you had said about the holes being drilled off center.
sure enough, \ . maybe not that much, but you can sure see it.

 

[DGP4]

Once again, the info you can get on this site is exceptional!

 

[Eraser]

Once again, the info you can get on this site is exceptional!

I agree 100%. The very reason I contribute.

 

[kendog]

Get it started wth a stubby punch, and buck it up with something solid. I use a lead brick. The pin will stick in the lead and not fly away when it comes free. Before I take it apart I put a tiny center punch mark next to the pin on the cocking piece, and a similar mark on the spring boss at the front of the firing pin. Dont have to guess which way to put it back together with witness marks. The last two I did (last week) were from older 700's and the cocking piece did not come off the FP easily. A little polishing of the high spots on the pin and cleaning out any crud in the cocking piece will greatly simplify re assembly.

 

[spike-55]

Once again, the info you can get on this site is exceptional!

how bout become a silver or gold member - worth every penny as you mentioned??

 

[Eraser]

I am a Silver Contributor.

 

[Eraser]

Get it started wth a stubby punch, and buck it up with something solid. I use a lead brick. The pin will stick in the lead and not fly away when it comes free. Before I take it apart I put a tiny center punch mark next to the pin on the cocking piece, and a similar mark on the spring boss at the front of the firing pin. Dont have to guess which way to put it back together with witness marks. The last two I did (last week) were from older 700's and the cocking piece did not come off the FP easily. A little polishing of the high spots on the pin and cleaning out any crud in the cocking piece will greatly simplify re assembly.

I used a large magnet to catch the pin, worked good. I like your lead brick idea too.
I had the very problem you mention with cocking piece. Got is cleaned up, good to go.