I didn't realise there was an issue with the barrel bolt, evert. The one on the one that I had was that tight it wasn't going anywhere and as I didn't deem it absolutely necessary to remove the barrel, I left it in situ. Although the cocking linkage did, indeed, appear relatively flimsy, the cocking effort on this 12ft.lb rifle was so effortless that I guessed it wouldn't ever cause an issue. And I liked the little "L" synthetic slider that they build into it.
Point accepted on the spring guide. A really sloppy fit and very little support. But things were fine and very refined once treated to WW guide and top hat.