Yes, the store had a certified gun smith look at it and he thought the issue was a weak spring. They offered to order/replace the spring and I almost considered it, in fact I initially did, but a quick web surf told me that this was NOT an isolated issue. So I decided to just return it to the store rather that fool around. The bottom line is this, a brand new $1700 rifle should not need a repair. Don't they check them before they leave the factory? Well after reading Baretta's response its obvious that I would NOT get their support down the road if it happened again. Its just another example of big company absorbing a small successful company and then changing it to their more "efficient" ways.
As for the M-70.....It's a real nice rifle but I hated the safety. I know its supposed to be real safe, but it seemed stiff and noisy. I also looked at the Kimber Montana and it had a similar safety. In fact they looked like clones. SO both got dropped from my wish list.