Remigton 700 trigger

[DWalt]

I know about the long-standing safety problems associated with the older Model 700s and the "Walker" trigger. I have owned a .30-'06 Model 700 with its original trigger since 1978, and never had any problems with the trigger. I have done the several recommended tests on it which supposedly will indicate if there is a potential trigger safety problem or not, and it passed them all. I have also understood that the replacement triggers that Remington offered to install are very inferior to the original trigger, and if anyone has serious concerns about the original trigger's safety, they would be better off installing one of the aftermarket triggers instead.

I am interested if there are some here who might express informed opinions about if I should do anything about my 700s trigger or just leave it alone as it appears to be OK in all respects. Obviously, I don't walk around pointing a loaded 700 at anyone, and I am fully aware of the various potential safety problems of the Walker trigger, so in my case I don't believe there is much risk. One of the things I do not like about the design is that if the safety is on, it prevents lifting the bolt handle, say, to unload the rifle, and to me that is the greatest risk. Is there any way to modify the trigger so that the bolt handle can be raised with the safety on?

 

[M29since14]

Replacing is up to you. Are you concerned someone might get hurt given the way you use and handle the rifle? With some of my rifles, I am, and I have replaced a few. My .222 about the same age as your '06 still has its factory trigger. The new triggers may be safe, but in my judgment they are a mess to use. All of those have been replaced. I just installed a Rifle Basix trigger on my most recently purchased 700 (about two years old, I think). It was not inexpensive, and it has some "creep", but it is very consistent and I am very happy with it. I'd buy another in a wink, and will, whenever I think I need one. Basically, I am reluctant to use ANY trigger in the field in a rifle that kicks a bit if it is set much lighter than 3 pounds. I may be a bit of a trigger snob, but I also don't want any serious trouble.

 

[pantannojack]

A couple hunert years ago I had my first highpower rifle, A purple receiver Ruger 77 in 30-06 topped by a Redfield 3x9. It would commonly group 4 165's in 3/4 in and pull the last one out to 1 1/2. Gurr. Magazine ads and drifting winds told me that Leupolds and Remingtons were better so I traded it off. What did PT Barnum say about every minute? Since then Iv'e owned several Rem 700's in 222, 243, 6mm, 270, and 30-06; All of then ADL's. Some good and some not so much. Beg, borrow, or buy a Lyman bore cam and you might see what I mean. If you have a good one, KEEP IT as is.
But on subject I never had any trouble with the safety lock trigger. I adjust them to 3.5 to 4 lbs, but with lots of safe sear engagement. It is not necessary to fully chamber a round to release it from the magazine. Just push and pour it out.

 

[BigMuddy]

Mine got to where it would fire simply by taking the safety off. I took it to an authorized Remington repair shop and it was modified. I could now open the bolt with the safety on. My ADL was turned into a BDL by changing the stock to one with a floor plate.

Later my gun fired again, this time when closing the bolt. I removed the trigger and replaced with a Timmney.

Dan

 

[s&wchad]

I love 700's and mine have the original triggers. Keep the trigger group and the sear clean and properly lubed, don't adjust it below 3-1/2 #'s or mess with the sear engagement and you won't have a problem. When I adjust the trigger pull, I clean the outside of the trigger group with alcohol and put a dab of jewelers epoxy around the adjustment screws like the factory did.

I have them in the following calibers:
.22-250
.270 Win
.280
.300 Savage
.300 Weatherby Mag
.35 Whelen
.50 muzzle loader

I also have 2 40X's (.22-250 & a 6mm PPC USA), a 722 in .222 Rem and a 600 in .35 Remington.

 

[LittleCooner]

Keep the trigger group and the sear clean and properly lubed, don't adjust it below 3-1/2 #'s or mess with the sear engagement and you won't have a problem. .

I bought my first 700 at age 21. Chambered in 22-250. It is now on it's second barrel. I think there are only 3 700s around now, hidden in the safe. I have been a "rifle loonie" all my life, decades before even thinking about revolvers and S&W pistols. I have owned several 700s in the past 50 years and my best buddy, hunting and shooting partner has probably owned 50-75 in the past 50 years. We have never had any problems with any of the 700 triggers. They have made millions of these 700s since 1962 and I expect a few triggers may have not preformed as designed, but I have always questioned when one did not preform, was it dirty, did someone play with the adjustments as a "buddy" siting under the shade tree?. I think it was just more anti gun BS than anything. Like all things make over a continious 70+ year span, there could have been a time when some short cuts were taken and some of them could have had problems. All of us knowledgable people know to not point a gun at someone, to treat it like it is loaded and expecially if it is loaded and you are pushing off the safety. just my 2 cents worth on Remington. Mike Walker is just second to John Browning in firearms design in my book and I am sorry this appears to be a black eye on his legacy and life.

 

[Ackley1952]

When we started kicking the Remington 700 they cost me 4-5 hundred each I loved them and steadily bought them . Now they're 1000 plus and just keep going up. My suggestion is keep bashing them. The finest production rifle ever manufactured and designed by Mike Walker.

 

[DWalt]

BTW, for those who do not know about the trigger malfunction problem, it's alleged that the firing pin can under some circumstances unexpectedly fall, causing the loaded rifle to fire when the safety lever is moved from "safe" to "fire" (or maybe the reverse), or while the bolt is being closed.

I've read that a common belief is that the "Walker" trigger failures may result from an accumulation of dirt, grit, lint, etc. in the trigger mechanism which prevents the proper interaction of components, rather than any design defects. By my inspection, I can't detect the presence of any of those in my rifle's trigger, but then I don't carry it around in the Rockies for months at a time either. And given the rarity of such incidents in comparison to the enormous number of 700s sold, I assume that it is statistically highly improbable that any given 700 is unsafe. And that's the main reason I haven't been too concerned about mine for the last 40+ years. Meanwhile, I always keep the muzzle of any loaded gun pointed in a safe direction.

 

[BigMuddy]

Mine wasn't dirty and the trigger had never been adjusted from the factory setting. It fired taking safety off unloading the rifle opening morning of deer season several years ago. It did it again that same afternoon. No one was hurt as my muzzle never points at anyone. Needed an underwear change though. 2nd time I was more prepared.

Later took the trigger out and could watch it release every time by moving safety lever to fire position. At that time I had had the rifle 20+ years.

Call it anti gun BS if you want.... I really don't care. I'm not an anti gunner and don't BS (not much anyway). Mine never did it either until it did.

Dan

 

[DWalt]

"It fired taking safety off unloading the rifle opening morning of deer season several years ago."

Interesting, as I have always believed that the design requiring the safety be switched from on to off before the bolt handle can be moved is poor. To me, it seems safer to allow the bolt to be manpulated (i.e., during loading and unloading) also when the safety is on.

 

[woodsltc]

I am interested if there are some here who might express informed opinions about if I should do anything about my 700s trigger or just leave it alone as it appears to be OK in all respects.

Probably not what you want to hear, but I have three M-700's (two of them from the late '70 to early '80 period and one from the mid-'90's). There was never a hint of a problem with any of the Remington triggers and all worked as they should with many hunting hours and literally thousands of rounds fired at the range and while hunting. That being said......I decided to not take the chance on an accidental discharge even though there was never a problem. Several years ago I replaced all 3 Remington triggers with Timney triggers ....... it was just not worth taking a chance of an accident happening, even if it was a remote chance. JMO

Don

 

[hittman77]

I've chosen to leave mine as it came from the factory.

Granted, I do not hunt with it. It makes it to my private range about once or twice a YEAR and I'm alone there so ….. not a big risk on my part.

Mine is a 1st year production with the carbine length barrel and chambered in 222 Remington Magnum. It's only "shooter grade" having had a LOT of use by its previous owner but I like it just the way it is.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Over the last 45 years I have owned around 35 some for as little as a week. I am currently down to 2 both customized. Never had a "Hinky" trigger problem. But then in most of my target shooting days, we never used a safety! We left them empty and often with the bolt out.

Ivan

 

[bobcat]

I bought a new ADL in 1977, and have used it just about every year. Never had an issue with the trigger, my only complaint was the trigger pull. Finally this summer Midway had a sale on triggers so I bought one and had it installed, paid a gunsmith $65 to do it. Trigger pull is much nicer now, I can open the bolt with the safety on, and when it's passed on after I'm gone, I don't have to worry about it causing an issue.

 

[Godly70]

If the trigger appears to be okay, I will advise you to leave it alone .

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have 3 Remingtons with the same safety arrangement. A 700 sniper model in .308, a 700 ADL in . 243, and an XP-100 in .221 Fireball.

My opinion, as expressed publicly in my book 101 Classic Firearms, is that if you have purchased a used gun, it should be inspected to be sure the trigger adjustments still have the factory-applied epoxy seals, and if not, the non-factory adjustments should be properly checked and verified as safe by a competent gunsmith familiar with the system.

All of my guns have the factory epoxy, and I have had zero problems with them.

John

 

[H Richard]

I have and have had several 700 heavy barrel varmints, a 308 and a couple 22-250's. The one 22-250 is on a 2nd barrel. Years ago I found on the internet "Remington Crisp Trigger", which is instructions on how to adjust the factory trigger. I did, on one of the 22-250's and got it to about 2 lbs. It did enhance the bench rest (Prairie Dog) shooting, but I did experience one unintended discharge, (with the gun pointed downrange) and I returned it to a full 3 lbs which it was previously. My 2nd 22-250 I installed a Timney trigger. With the newer guns coming out with 4 to 5 lb triggers I would replace the trigger.

 

[ReloadforFun]

Would Remarms still be doing the recall replacement? Or did it die with Remington Arms?

 

[The Norseman]

Blame Game

When handling Firearms the muzzle is
always to be pointed to a safe place.

5 Remington Rifles all stock original,
new in the box.
1978 Rem 700 ADL 6mmRem
1979 Rem 788 .222Rem
circa 1995 Rem Mdl Seven .223Rem
circa 2000 Rem 700 ADL .270Win
circa 2005 Rem Mdl Seven .308Win

Over the years of reading about faulty Remington Triggers
I've tried every which way to get those 5 to fire accidentally,
I could not. All these years I have never had a problem.

I lay blame on the Owners that had an accidentally firing.
They did something out of the ordinary; whether it be
drunk, cleaning, handling, loaning it out, adjusting or
thinking they know best. The Owner did something.

No one will know the truth unless they were
caught doing the dirty deeds.

If you are worried about the trigger have it checked
out and/or replaced. You do not need anyone's
permission to be Safe.

The best to you and your endeavors.

 

[TXBryan]

Purchased a used Remington 700 in 2011 that was manufactured in 1998. I lent it to a friend for a deer hunt on our ranch shortly after acquiring it and he experienced an "accidental discharge" on the deer stand. He explained he chambered a round, once comfortably situated, and engaged the safety. Boom. Thankfully pointed in a safe direction. Frankly I was a little dubious about this intelligent man's story as he was not a terribly experienced hunter nor was he overly familiar with bolt-action high-powered rifles - though he'd been through plentiful practice sessions.

Several years later I'm carrying the same rifle on an elk hunt in New Mexico and experienced the same phenomenon. My guide was not amused though the rifle was pointed in a harmless direction. It reminded me of how my friend's story was a bit hard to swallow several years before - that guide did not believe me. There was zero doubt in my mind that the trigger guard was devoid of digits when that rifle discharged - my booger hooker was not on the bang switch. The hunt went on to be successful as there is ALWAYS a back-up rifle in my kit.

Installed a Timney, with an integral safety, immediately upon my return home and have renewed trust in this rifle - a substantially better trigger in all respects. Remington was honoring the replacement of these triggers at the time but I didn't think much of letting them touch that rifle again.

Conversely the only other 700 in our inventory is an ADL manufactured in 1963; the second year of production for 700s. Absolutely no issues with this fine old gem.