An external bolt release has become a popular addition to Remington actions. The sole purpose is to bypass the linkage actuated system that can sometimes be difficult to reach and operate, especially with a gloved hand. The photo below is a custom action with an external bolt release manufactured by Defiance Machine. It’s a good example of a clean and professional installation.
LongRifles, Inc. offers this as one of its services when blueprinting an action. We start with a stripped receiver and mock up the bolt to determine the best location for the stop. The bolt’s extraction length must be considered when adding a bolt stop. If it’s too short feeding will become impossible because the bolt face won’t go far enough to allow a cartridge to purchase the feed lips of the receiver or magazine. Too far to the rear and the action will likely yield or crack over time from the impact of the lug surfaces against the stop.
Fixturing and clocking the receiver in the mill vise is the next step. We use a mandrel to qualify and locate the center of the receiver as it provides a convenient method of locating the centerline of the receiver bore.
With locations programmed in the milling center, machining can begin. Endmills don’t work well as drills. To avoid tool breakage and possibly damaging the receiver we start with a drilled hole in the location where the mill will begin stock removal.
Next, a carbide endmill plunges into the hole made by the drill and machines a pocket for the bolt release to fit into.
The first operation is now complete. The bolt release can now be placed into the action to check fitting. Completion of the job will start with a second setup to locate and machine the hole for the pin.
Rotating the bolt 90* and double checking the orientation is followed with drilling the hole for the retaining pin. We start by spot facing the location with an endmill to give the drill a flat surface to start from.
A tool change to a centerdrill and a quick spotting of the hole is further insurance against the drill wandering off location.
Final assembly after all the work is done gives a clean and functional presentation. An important part of this modification that cannot be understated is the choice of material for the bolt stop. What seems deceptively simple can potentially cause big problems. The bolt stop should be softer than the bolt. During rapid bolt manipulation it’s expected for the bolt stop and bolt lug to impact one another with significant force. Over time the impact can deform the lug of the bolt if it’s softer than the bolt release. This could ruin all the hard work invested in other parts of the blueprint as the lapped fit of the bolt lug against the receiver depends on a precise and clean mating surface. We ensure our bolt releases are made to the appropriate hardness to ensure a long, dependable service life.
