My Remington 722 was the same. Peter Angelos @ Omega Arms replaced my firing pin after stripping the bolt to have it Melonite Nitrate treated. Welding the pin must have been common.Thanks, I did have the firing pin replaced. The funny thing is, the pin that holds the firing pin in the bolt was welded in place! That must have been from the factory as I don't think my dad ever had it in a shop after he owned it. The GS said it was a pain to get out, but it's good now.