How To Adjust the Impulse Ambidextrous Bolt Handle

August 15th, 2023
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The innovative Savage Impulse provides hunters and shooters alike with the speed, fit, and reliability of a straight pull rifle. The bolt handle on the Impulse can be positioned to fit both left and right-handed shooters. Follow the simple steps below to learn how to adjust the Impulse Ambidextrous bolt handle.

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WARNING! Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Make sure your firearm is completely unloaded and ensure that your workspace is void of ammunition at all times. The safety should be set to the Full Safe position.

How To Adjust the Impulse Bolt Handle Angle

  1. Place the safety selector into the full safe position. 
  2. Remove the magazine.
  3. Unlock the bolt by pressing the quick bolt release. 
    1. Read: How to Open the Bolt on Impulse
  4. Pull the bolt handle rearward and open the bolt. 
  5. With the bolt open, press and hold the left-hand bolt release and remove the bolt.
    1. Read: How to Remove the Impulse Bolt
  6. Using your thumb, push the Extraction Plunger at the top of the bolt, while easing the handle down to decock the bolt. 
  7. Depress the pin on the side of the bolt handle and slide off the bolt handle retainer. 
    Depress the pin on the side of the bolt handle and slide off the bolt handle retainer.
  8. Remove the bolt handle.
  9. Reinstall the bolt handle at the desired angle.  Please note there are 5 available positions.
  10. Depress the pin on the side of the bolt handle and reinstall bolt handle retainer. 
  11. Recock the bolt, by holding the bolt body in one hand and rotating the handle rearward.  If the bolt will not cock, the handle is not fully seated.
    1. Read: How to Disengage Hexlock on Impulse
  12. Reinstall the bolt handle retainer by depressing the pin on the side of the bolt handle and sliding the retainer on. 
    Reinstall the bolt handle retainer by depressing the pin on the side of the bolt handle and sliding the retainer on.
  13. Insert the bolt into the firearm and fully lock the handle forward.
  14. Reinstall the magazine.

How To Change the Impulse Bolt Handle for Opposite Hand Operation

When changing the bolt handle to the opposite side, the first 8 steps are the same as above.

  1. Place the safety selector into the full safe position. 
  2. Remove the magazine.
  3. Unlock the bolt by pressing the quick bolt release.
    1. Read: How to Open the Bolt on Impulse
  4. Pull the bolt handle rearward and open the bolt. 
  5. With the bolt open, press and hold the left-hand bolt release and remove the bolt.
    1. Read: How to Remove the Impulse Bolt
  6. Using your thumb, push the Extraction Plunger at the top of the bolt, while easing the handle down to decock the bolt.
  7. Depress the pin on the side of the bolt handle and slide off the bolt handle retainer. 
    Depress the pin on the side of the bolt handle and slide off the bolt handle retainer.
  8. Remove the bolt handle.
  9. Place the bolt face on a table and apply slight downward pressure to the rear shroud while unscrewing the retainer nut. 
  10. Once the nut has been removed, screw it into the opposite side of the bolt while maintaining downward pressure on the shroud, to ensure the threads remain aligned with the hole in the shroud.  The nut must always be installed on the opposite side from the handle.
  11. Reinstall the bolt handle at the desired angle.  Please note there are 5 available positions.  
  12. Recock the bolt, by holding the bolt body in one hand, and rotating the handle rearward.  If the bolt will not cock, the handle is not fully seated.
    1. Read: How to Disengage Hexlock on Impulse
  13. Reinstall the bolt handle retainer by depressing the pin on the side of the bolt handle and sliding the retainer on. 
    Reinstall the bolt handle retainer by depressing the pin on the side of the bolt handle and sliding the retainer on.
  14. Insert the bolt into the firearm and fully lock the handle forward.
  15. Reinstall the magazine.

Safe firearm ownership is your responsibility. When something does not sound, feel, or look right, seek the advice of a professional gunsmith immediately.


If you have any questions, please refer to your owner’s manual and call our customer service team at 1-800-370-0708 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm ET)