Detent Removal 52D

F

Fred J

Active member
What would be the down side of removing the bolt detent plunger assembly in a 52 D benchrest rifle?
 
Detents are there for the klutzes :)

Actually,,,, most production rifles are intended for position shooting where the rifle is being repositioned or otherwise handled between each shot and it would be easy to inadvertently bump the bolt knob and partially open the bolt resulting in a variety of possible bad outcomes when the trigger is pulled.

I have a 2013, a 54, 2 64's and a Suhl. None of them have their detents. They are not needed or desired for BR imo. Removing them makes a noticible improvement in bolt cycling.
 
Ray:
I was able to remove the detent from one of my spares, and indeed, the bolt was smoother and showed no downside. I tried to remove it from one that I had plated, and it appears the pin is plated in. Normal punch won't move it. Thanks for your insight.
 
I don't see how they could have plated the bolt handle section without removing the detent parts. You might try taking the bolt apart and warming the bolt handle piece to about 200 degrees and try again. Use a bench block or something so the part is well supported while banging away with the hammer and punch. Some of the pins are really tight.

If it still won't move you could possibly grind the detent down so that it no longer contacts the receiver.
 
Ray. The detent plunger and spring are located in the action, held by the small pin. Not in the Boly assembly. When the action was plated, I don't think they removed them as the pin will not move at all. Like you suggested, I may have to take it somewhere they have a press. The others I have tried this on, were not plated and the pin drove out on the first tap of the punch. Problem is, they are not my BR actions.
 
A press won't be a good solution. Probably just end up with broken drifts in the hole. You need a proper pin punch that is just long enough to do the job and that is hard enough to not bend or peen. The shock of the hammer impact is actually just what you need for this type of problem. A little heat will still be appropriate.

I have a set of pin punches that are ideal for these problems. I will see if I can find where I got it from [ after lunch, I have my sealed orders, they read "Fix my lunch now". Yes maam:p ].

Ray
 
Ray:
I have the same punches. I guess I just need a bigger hammer. You need to look at a 52D or C action. You'll see what I mean.
 
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