Are Remington Keyed Safeties Really a Problem?

[Positrack]

This may be a stupid question but... Why do so many people dislike the Remington keyed safeties? I understand sort of a "moral" objection to added pointless safety junk on modern firearms, but is there anything really functionally wrong with them? If so, what kind of trouble can they cause? I did some searching, and found countless people complaining about 'em, but I couldn't find an instance where one actually failed or caused trouble.

I've got two guns equipped with them, and I've yet to have any trouble with either. I just keep the safeties unlocked, the keys in the box with my owner's manuals, and forget about 'em. If the lock is not used, they are functionally indistinguishable from a standard safety (at least in my experience). They may be sort of gimmicky and pointless, but they haven't caused me any irritation, and as far as unnecessary safety junk goes, these seem pretty innocuous. If I wanted to complain about something, it would be the horrendous placement of the slide release on the 870. Next to that, the little markings on the side of the safety button seem pretty insignificant.

Am I missing something? Has anybody had any actual trouble with one of these? I'm not saying I particularly like them, but I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

[vicdotcom]

Nope your not missing anything. I think you nailed it when you mentioned the "moral" objection.

I haven't heard anyone ever complain about the function of it or it impacting anything else with the trigger. Just another thing that most people find useless and redundant. If you don't ever engage it, you won't even know it's there. And some people who do engage it don't know how to undo it lol

[AcceptableUserName]

I've heard about them locking and sticking, but it's just hearsay. I'm sure they're okay, but I'll do without it, based on a ...wait for it....wait for it....


MORAL OBJECTION!

[Dave McCracken]

I turned one on with my fingers.

Squeezing both sides at once and twisting did it.

[Positrack]

Yeah, I have noticed you can do that, which is poor design. I could see that being a real problem if you mess with it, get the lock engaged, and don't have the key with you (since you obviously can't turn it BACK without the key). Still, it doesn't seem like the kind of thing that could easily happen by accident. The ones I've seen were pretty stiff and had detents at both ends of the rotation (locked and unlocked).

[Hungry Seagull]

One less thing to break on the gun. I dont have mine on there. I saw that it had one and I chose a slightly different model without one.

There is a sort of a trigger enclosure that I actually like using from time to time that came with the gun.

Otherwise the saftey is a simple cross bolt. See shiney = safe, See red = Boom!

[jakemccoy]

I have two 870s, but I don't know what you guys are talking about. Can someone provide a link or pic?

[Virginian]

Well, we seem to have lost the key to my stepson's 1100, but since it is in the "off" position I don't know that it's a problem. Never intended using it in any event.

[jlv08]

U.A.T.O.A.B.H.
This is an acronym that applies to the keyed trigger on a Rem. 870 "whatever".

[A man with a gun!]

I didn't really want to find out if the lock is a problem or not on my new shotgun so I shelled out the extra bucks and bought a 870 Police which is built lock free.

[hometheaterman]

I was messing with mine and got it turned to lock. However, you couldn't turn it back to unlock. I didn't have the key with me and was out of town hunting. A few others had them where they had come with their guns but couldn't find them. Finally on the next part of the trip one of the guys had one and let me use it to unlock my safety. The key I had was at home so while I had it it wasn't with me. Was this my fault? 100%. Do I think this safety is horrible? No not really. However, I'd rather not have it either so stuff like that physically can't happen again. It could ruin a hunting trip if someone locked it without the key and you didn't have the key with you. It seems to be easy to lock it with no key. Just not soo easy to unlock it.

[Mike U.]

I think it sucks.
I believe it is problematic and unnecessary. Just one more possible thing to go wrong at the worst possible time.
That's what gun locks are for, and, since you can't buy a gun without getting one, what's the point of it anyway?

Here's a replacement safety for 870 owners who want to rid themselves of this problematic feature:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12518&title=TACTICAL%20RESPONSE~%20JUMBO%20HEAD%20SAFETY

[Old Guard Dog]

You also can't convert it to a left-hand safety.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

For as cheap and EASY it is to replace with a big head or other non-lock safety---I would consider it money well spent if I had a j-lock Remington----esp if it is to be used as a defensive gun.

[vicdotcom]

I would consider it money well spent if I had a j-lock Remington----esp if it is to be used as a defensive gun.
Wow I would have to disagree with that wholeheartedly. I think for a defensive gun, you should never engage the J-lock. First you have to find the key, then you have to find that TINEY TINEY hole with poke it. At least a triggerlock will have a larger keyhole. In an emergecny your fine motor skill will already be deminished.

Also you will have to FIND the J-lock key! Unless you keep it by the shotgun, but then what is the use of engaging it if the key is right there.

[jmr40]

Vicdotcom, He is saying the J-lock should be replaced. Not that it should ever be used.

[hometheaterman]

I think he is saying he would put a regular safety as in non j lock safety on the gun if it was a defense gun. Maybe I read it wrong though but that's what I got from it.

[vicdotcom]

My Apologies Omaha-BeenGlockin I read your post wrong! Ignore my last post.

[SimpleIsGood229]

The J-lock on my M700 started to consistently lock on its own. I promptly got rid of it altogether.

Honestly, I see the inclusion of integral locks as nothing but throwing a proverbial bone to the lawyers and politicians.