Got some Hoppes #9 and a cheap $15 cleaning kit and went to town, the headspace seems to have improved for sure. Probably about as good as it'll get or has ever been.
The threads in the bolt and on the bolt handle are all but completely stripped, I can only get it tightened with the handle upside down and even then it's not that tight.
I can either have it tack welded in place at the front and back or my other thought was to make a knob to have welded to the back, this would work very well for me as a lefty too.
Here's a " mockup " I made from a carriage bolt, a slightly larger diameter and some knurling would be ideal , a longer spring guide / cocking indicator or an extension for it would be a good idea as well.
What do you guys think ?
Would you rather have a standard bolt handle or a sleek snag free knob on the back of the bolt ?