[Cptn]

After a lot of searching I found and purchased (site unseen, I'm in AB, bought it from a gunshop in SK) the above Savage lever action.

Upon receipt I checked it out and noticed there was about 1/4" freeplay in the lever when the action was closed. Upon closer inspection I found if you pressed down on the back end of the bolt the action would pop open. Also, it isn't loading shells properly as the bolt itself seems to be running about 1/4" lower than it should.

After speaking with the seller about him paying for any necessary repairs, I took it to a gunsmith. He told me up front it was either a cracked frame or else it would be a locking bolt that was loose. To tighten the locking bolt screw he would have to remove the stock. Fair enough, I left it with him and called him back yesterday. He told me he had tweaked the gun and it appeared to be working properly and that when the action was closed and the gun was cocked, there was no free play in the lever. But that if it wasn't cocked, there was about 3/16" play. He also told me this was "normal" for this type of gun.

Now, I'm new to Savage lever actions. My hunting partner has been using them all his life as has his father. In fact, it was him lending me a .300 last fall that convinced me I wanted my own. I know for a fact there's no free play in the action of the one I used. I've shot 2 of his other .300's and can say there's no free play in the action of those either. He swears he's never had one that had this free play nor has his father.

Has anybody here ever seen this type of freeplay in the action? Is it 'normal'? Does anybody have any ideas on what I should look for when I take the gun down (I have a takedown guide and plan on stripping it to give it a thorough cleaning after I get it back from the gunsmith)?

I'm inclined to take the gunsmith's word for it but I have a niggling concern and am hoping someone here can allay it. I looked long and hard for this .308 and would be most unhappy to not be able to keep it.