Missing washer between trigger guard and barrel.

[songdog]

I had a washer that was located between the trigger guard and barrel on the rear action bolt. Notice I said had!
Every time I would remove the rear action bolt to remove the barrel that washer would either fall out completely or slide into the trigger action and had to be fished out.
Well, this morning, while cleaning the rifle the washer once again fell out and I have NOT been able to find it!
But, I really don't think I need it....do I?
I think that washer was used as a "shim" so that the rear action bolt would not make contact with the rifle's bolt and cause it to bind.
Why do I say this? Well I reassembled the rifle without the washer and tightened the bolts. Guess what? The rifle bolt was bound and would not come back. I loosened the rear action bolt just a touch and all was good with the world again.
So, I took the bolt out and filed just a bit off of the tip and smoothed it out, reinstalled it, tightened all the bolts and everything works great now!
My question again: Is this washer necessary or was it indeed a shim?
And if that is the case then why did Savage let this rifle leave the factory with a shim when they could have made sure the screw fit, like I did? Just seems like quality control could have been better!
Sure wish I knew where that washer went though!!!
Makes me very happy that I glassbedded my stock.
And if there are others out there with this same washer and you all say it is not necessary then I would be sure to remove it and file a bit off of the rear action bolt and it sure will simplify the cleaning procedure!
Thanks to all, and it sure was good to hear that RB is OK!!!

[Deleted]

I have had several MLIIs torn down and have never seen a washer in one yet, I cant imagine savage sending one out that way but anythings possible. If nothing is binding and the bolt works now looks like you fixed the problem.....Bill

[songdog]

Thanks hillbill! That is what I was wanting to hear!!!
Apparently, with my tupperware stock, the rear action bolt was binding on the rifle bolt so they shimmed it with a small washer. When I removed the rear action bolt to file the tip down it looked as if it had already been ground (filed) some before I touched it.
Anyway, I ground down enough to match the thickness of the washer that use to be there and like I said before, all is working fine now.

[Richard]

Songdog..............Was that found on a NEW Savage? I could see if you bought the gun used and the last person had a problem and used the washer to rectify the situation but not on a new gun! I have worked on quite a few and have never seen a washer. What you did by filing the end of that bolt down was the proper thing to do. Although, the washer accomplished the same thing.
Richard

[pcgolfer]

Two MLIIs and no washers. I think you are fine.

[mshm99]

It could have been put there to keep the bolt from binding ,when the action screw was tightened ,as you pointed out. I'd call that the likely answer.

No washers here.

mshm

[Rifleman]

I left a 10mlII in my pants pocket once and it went through the dryer, but have never seen a washer under the trigger guard on over a dozen of these rifles. LOL

[songdog]

Jan 9, 2010 21:20:40 GMT -5 Richard said:

Songdog..............Was that found on a NEW Savage? I could see if you bought the gun used and the last person had a problem and used the washer to rectify the situation but not on a new gun! I have worked on quite a few and have never seen a washer. What you did by filing the end of that bolt down was the proper thing to do. Although, the washer accomplished the same thing.
Richard

Richard,
Yes the rifle was bought new from Natchez. I paid the "new" price anyway! ;D
I first noticed this when I removed the barrel for the first time in preparation of glassbedding the stock. It was a pain then, as I thought how strange that they did not at least bond the washer to the stock or guard so that it would not fall out.....as it did!
I don't know if I can find the history of previous ownership through the serial number or not, but I would be EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED with Natchez if it turned out that I bought a USED rifle!!!

And Richard, I sent you a PM too!

[northny]

Three ML IIs, none of which had a washer. On one of them the rear screw was too long and needed to me shortened as it was binding on the bolt.

My only thought on the washer is if they had to use a screws with the head diameter too small and the washer was to make the contact diameter larger? Just guessing.

[nitro1947]

sounds like a extra rigging from a person that may have purchased the gun and then sent it backl

[songdog]

Jan 10, 2010 13:41:30 GMT -5 nitro1947 said:

sounds like a extra rigging from a person that may have purchased the gun and then sent it backl

That seems to be the consensus of a lot of folks! As I told Richard, I would be very disappointed in Natchez if that was the case!

The washer was NOT needed because the head was too small because it was BETWEEN the trigger guard and the barrel. That is why I figured it was used as a shim. And you could not remove the trigger guard without the washer slipping or falling out!
I just could not imagine that this rifle was designed this way!
The previous owner was probably having problems with the bolt binding and got tired of messing with it and returned it to Natchez.
Oh well. Like I said, I have it fixed up to be a real shooter now. I just hope there wasn't any OTHER problems with the rifle that I don't know about.......YET!

[Jon]

I'm confused was the washer between the triger guard and the piller or between the piller and the reciver?
Jon

[songdog]

Jan 10, 2010 19:48:49 GMT -5 Jon said:

I'm confused was the washer between the triger guard and the piller or between the piller and the reciver?
Jon

Hey Jon, Good catch! No more confused than me I guess.
I meant that the washer was between the trigger guard and the pillar!!! It was used as a spacer/shim to prevent the rear action bolt from binding. To correct the issue I just took the bolt to my grinder and removed the equivalent thickness as was the washer that is now missing!
Sorry for not making this as clear as I should have! My mistake, but hopefully you all now know what I was talking about!