He should (and sadly…so should I) have known how it operates and sent me packing.
No, you are new to rifles and the model 70 so you are learning the in's and out's about them.
He, on the other hand, absolutely should know how one of the most popular rifles ever manufactured operates and should have taken the time to explain to you how it operates.
Once you get use to the rifle I think you will find that you will really like all that the model 70 offers in a rifle. Good luck.