Is there a remedy for the Remington 760 mag catch?

[Col. Plink]

This might be pushing the envelope for the most obscure, "who really cares?" kind of question ever posted here, but I'm ready for THR's no-question-is-too-stupid reputation to come through for me (again).

I have apparently become a collector of the Remington 760. So, having lost most of you already, I know pickins are slim.

I really need a fix for this magazine catch. For a rifle that's been made more than a million times, I marvel at the fact the it has such a crappy magazine release. First of all, you have to push it FORWARD to find that ever-so-small sweet spot to actually free-up the magazine. But push it all the way forward and it blocks removal. I call bulls__t!

Not only do I have to cradle this thing in my arms like a baby just to try to remove the mag, but I have to finesse it like a mousetrap just to get the dang thing out.

So what gives? I have three of them now, and am considering a fourth, and every one is a cantankerous old bitty when it comes to mag release and replacement. How did such a popular design go so long with such a crappy mag catch?

 

[243winxb]

Not a major problem for a hunting gun. Just be glad the magazine doesnt fall out on the first shot. For target shooting, look for some 10 round magazine, if they still make them.

 

[Col. Plink]

I actually have some excellent (TripleK) magazines for both my long- and short-action 760's, but they don't engage/disengage any better than the factory 4-rounders.

If anyone has ever run across a fix for the Remington 760 mag catch, you have a receptive audience here.

 

[stiab]

I never had that exact problem, but did get rid of my last 760 (which looked mint) because the mag would release and partially drop with each shot. That is a mag issue, because the flimsy sheet metal changes shape over a few years of use. Mags on the more modern Remington pumps and semi-autos were made more robustly to prevent this problem.

I admire you for collecting 760's, they are otherwise great rifles. When I see them in .257 Roberts, .35 Rem, .300 Savage, etc. they command pretty good prices, and get really high in the centerfire .22 calibers.

 

[Frostbite]

I do unfortunately not have a fix for you, but if it helps, know that I share your pain.

I will sell mine, in .30-06 Springfield, as soon as the old man who kindly gave it to me passes away. I just can not bring myself to sell it before that because he is the grandfather of my son's mother and quite a nice gentleman. I will most likely try to replace it with an old BAR in .308, one old enough to come with the factory iron sights.

It is too bad, really, because this rifle is a shooter. On the other hand, recoil becomes intolerable after only 30 rounds or so and it is sometimes difficult to cycle (it feels like if the bullet was not properly aligned with the bore or something like that; yes, silly, I know), even though it has been thoroughly cleaned. Do yours also come with a metal butplate?

 

[rule303]

You can swap your mag catch for a newer one made for the 7400. The 7400 used a larger checkered aluminum catch, and is a direct fit. Not great, but better than the tiny stamped steel catch on the 760.

 

[Col. Plink]

Yes, I think the 760's all came with an aluminum buttplate as original equipment.

I will look into changing out for a 7400 mag catch, thanks!