vz.24 Magazine floor plate won't release

[Twmaster]

I'm in the process of stripping my crusty old vz.24 down for a deep clean and reblue. I cannot get the magazine floor plate to release. The button depresses but the plate is just plain stuck. I've even tried a little prying in an effort to get it to release.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[ZG47]

I own a Volkspolizei Brno 98 (tgf1950) which had the same issue. As I recall, I used the following procedure. Used old 6" Pozidrive screwdriver, with damaged head reground for use as drift punch, to depress catch and tapped the floorplate to the rear, using a 20oz hammer and and a suitable piece of steel. The floorplate was very tight, necessitating careful work with a second cut file to relieve high spots but the situation was exarcerbated by loose propellant left in the action by the previous owner.

I also used penetrating oil. A little bit of Kroil left to soak in over 24 hours would be a very good idea. Don't waste your time with CRC 5.56 or similar.

Good luck.

[Twmaster]

Thanks. I'll give that a try over the week end.