Trap Door Question...?? help!

**Bug44** · December 10th, 2011, 03:09 AM

I have a model 700 .222 older then me... anywhere from 25-35 years old at this point... Almost mint condition... maybe 1 box shot through it by me, I am the only one who shot this gun. Sat in a gun case its whole life... My question and concern is the trap door. Excuse my ignorance on firearm terminology.... But the ribbon like spring that holds the bullet (plate) seems weak and flimsy... When I go to load a new round there seems to be a lack of upward pressure and the bullet catches as its going in... lets say for sake of argument the bullet needs a 30 degree plane to successfully be pushed into battery... well it is at a 45 degree plane when being pushed and it jams... The front of the plate seems to dip downward at times... I have gone in and cleaned/lubed it with no luck...

How would I fix this issue? It works fine on some but other times it jams..

**TerminusEst** · December 10th, 2011, 03:20 AM

Heh, I'm by no means an expert here, and I'm sure someone will give you a correct answer, but I'd assume that the magazine spring is weak and should be replaced. And not being familiar with that gun, I'm not sure what kind of magazine it has. In any case, there should be some way to open up the magazine and remove the spring to replace it, if you can find a replacement.

**Hawk** · December 10th, 2011, 09:31 AM

Try replacing the mag spring.

I believe this is the one you need: (please confirm before ordering)

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/356...c=S015ID698795

Or is this the reason for your issues:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325461

**dk99358** · December 11th, 2011, 03:14 PM

As mentioned, probably the follower spring. Check your magazine, are there any burrs that the follower (that's the plate the shells ride on) is catching on?

25-35 ain't a lot in gunlife, it would be unusual (not unheard of but unusual) for the spring to be bad. Could be it took a 'set' from being in one position for all those years.

BTW, the correct term is floorplate. Trap door is also a firearm term but is usually connected with an old singleshot Army rifle where the breechblock (sort of like your bolt) flipped up and over behind the barrel and chamber to seal the chamber after you put a shell in.

Good luck with it,

Dale