Update on new Rem. 700 with chamber issues

[gamestalker]

So my Son called the dealer today that's handling the repair on 700 he dropped off to them a couple weeks ago at the direction of Remington CS. The guy admitted to him that it no doubt has a major problem, and that reaming it would require having to set the barrel back to reset head space, which is one of several options.

He could replace the barrel.

Or he can just have it replaced with a different rifle.

The issue with replacing the rifle according to the authorized repair dealer though, is the dealer says he has received a number of them that were manufactured within the same time frame, and that have the same problem. That being the case, the dealer wants to wait a couple months to accumulate a few more before sending them back to Remington. And even if he decides to let them replace the barrel or fix the chamber, it's going to be at least 2 months, maybe more.

Kind of a lousy deal I thought. A guy buys a brand new 700, and then has to wait 2 - 3 months before he can get a replacement rifle or get the issue fixed. They've already had it for a couple weeks. Shouldn't Remington just replace the rifle and be done with it. This rifle needs to be ready for his wife's up coming deer season, so there is load development to do, get it dialed in, and she needs to get some time in shooting it.

Just thought ya all should know how poorly this is being handled. It's pretty obvious Remington isn't causing the delay, and that's been confirmed by the dealer own admission. So I recommended to my son that he call Remington CS back and l, and let them know what's going on. I'm guessing Remington will probably have him taken care of in the time it takes to either ship one out to him, or they'll tell the dealer to just hand him one off the shelf.

GS

 

[50 Shooter]

So if you do get a new rifle is it going to be defect free? I would ask that they test fire it and check the chamber and the brass to be sure. Then go to the dealer and pick up the rifle and send it in yourself, that way you won't wait for him to get off his hump. I would ask Remington for a little compensation for your troubles, like some ammo or accessories.

If you go the barrel route, tell them to give you a new barrel. Ask them for a nice heavy barrel that's fluted. That can be part of the compensation for making you deal with the inconvenience of not being able to use your rifle. Don't hesitate to ask for a little compensation, it's their fault that the rifle isnt right to begin with.

 

[gamestalker]

Appreciate the advice 50 shooter, I'll pass that on to my Son. I'm sure he would opt for a barrel swap if they're willing to upgrade it to a heavy barrel.

If this was my rifle, I would be all over it and demanding that the dealer handle this more expeditiously. Having to wait months to make things right is not consistent with good CS, not at all.

GS

 

[Bobson]

Which model 700 was it?

 

[barnbwt]

Does anyone know why Remington has been practically unable to chamber (specifically that operation) any of their products properly in the last five years or so? 870 Expresses are becoming notoriously unsuitable for non-brass shells, the R51 was largely doomed due to poorly cut chambers that prevented return to full battery, and every week or so, this forum alone gets one or two reports of a bad 700 chamber. Are they 'making' their own reamers, or not using lathes, or what? Seems like the outside of receivers gets finished more nicely than some of the chambers, and I just don't understand how that can be.

The barrels themselves seem to be very high quality, as all their guns I've shot have been quite accurate so long as the chamber is cut right. That one operation isn't even particularly expensive or slow, either. Just don't understand it.

TCB

 

[HOWARD J]

Do we know if these guns are still made in our country?

 

[rcmodel]

They must be.

If they were made anywhere else they wouldn't be having so many problems.

rc

 

[gamestalker]

Well stated RC! Sadly though, as it's becoming more and more the standard of our US made products.

As for Remington's over all quality, I've watched it go down hill, especially over the last 7 or 8 years. Almost every single one that has passed through my hands in that time has exhibited to some degree of poor workmanship, be it chamber issues, cheese grater bolt faces, or excessively over sized firing pin holes. It's a darn shame when someone spends the money for a 700 with a certain expectation of higher end quality, only to end up with unacceptable workmanship like this.

I won't personally buy one off the rack ever again. If I want below average quality, I can get it for a lot less money with one of the budget rifles out there. At least that way, I know what to expect.

GS

 

[rduchateau2954]

Is a buy back an option? I'd be running away as fast as I could. With Remington's reputation these days and him going through all this I'd be all for washing my hands of the whole thing.

 

[gamestalker]

I was just thinking about this dealer that's making my son wait for a couple months, and something occurred to me. I worked in the retail gun industry, so I know a thing or two about buyer tier. The more guns you move, the better the wholesale tier deal you get. I've also known this dealer that's handling the problem since 1980, and he isn't exactly always on the up and up. What other reason would he have for delaying this for so long, makes no sense. So in other words, I wonder if there is some way he might be applying these rifles to his purchase tier, thus giving him a better deal on his dealer contract with Remington?

GS

 

[Hookeye]

I'd call Remington and get an RA number, and send the thing back myself.
Or if a dealer is needed, get one to do it right away.

This waiting on the dealer is nonsense.

 

[Hookeye]

I'm not following.

Doesn't Remington sell through wholesalers?

Aren't repairs done factory direct?

Not sure how selling affects any repair policy.

 

[fireman 9731]

I would ask for a full refund of the rifle, take the money and go buy a CZ.

 

[Hookeye]

I wouldn't.
Know a good rifle maker not far away.

 

[MtnCreek]

Deal with Rem direct or better yet, send it to someone that knows how to build a rifle.

FWIW, I've dealt with S&W and Ruger repairs fairly recently and they were quick to get it fixed and returned to me.

 

[Maj Dad]

If they were made anywhere else they wouldn't be having so many problems.

Touché again, rc. I think the sloppy implementation of CAD-CAM has been a culprit in many of these oops's. If you really want to screw something up, use a computer. I am truly leery of buying new guns any more - better a used one with a history.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

The customer shouldn't wait......

FWIW, the action is probably good (probably) since they sell actions outright. You could think about getting an aftermarket barrel

http://riflebarrels.com/product-category/in-stock-barrels/stock/

and have it arrive in a week or so, and have a smith install it.

Don't forget to use the original barrel as a tomato stake. Or a wind flag holder. Of flip it around and use an old scope ring and make a fishing pole holder.

 

[Bull Nutria]

rem customer service is sending the rifle to a warranty repair center, not to
the old gray haired gunsmiths in Ilion NY. i bought a new modle 572 22 rifle in march 2015, it would not consistently shoot because of light firing pin hits. i called Rem CS they sent me a label and they sent the rifle to oklahoma!! they kept it for 2 weeks said they fiddled with it and it was repaired . shot it again same problem. rem CS sent me another label this time sent to Alabama . these guys kept it for over 2 months and finally sent it back with a new firing pin and spring. it works a little better but i don't trust it.

Bottom line i am not buying any more Remington products. no quality control and very slow and poor customer service!

Bull

 

[rcmodel]

The customer shouldn't wait......

The customer shouldn't have to re-barrel a new rifle still under warranty for several hundred dollars either!!

That is just not acceptable at all.

If he wanted a DIY 'rifle kit' he should have started that way and expected it to cost twice as much as the rifle is worth.

Since he didn't, Remington needs to send him a call tag ASAP, and the rifle needs to be fixed properly on Remington's dime.

Not on his dime!

rc

 

[DRYHUMOR]

The customer shouldn't have to re-barrel a new rifle still under warranty for several hundred dollars either!!

That is just not acceptable at all.

If he wanted a DIY 'rifle kit' he should have started that way and expected it to cost twice as much as the rifle is worth.

Since he didn't, Remington needs to send him a call tag ASAP, and the rifle needs to be fixed properly on Remington's dime.

Not on his dime!

rc

I know that RC.

Several hundred dollars is a lot, however, the option of fitting a better barrel, different twist, maybe changing calibers; might be worthwhile to consider.

With Remington's spotty quality over the last... decade or two; it might be more of an option to rebarrel and get the rifle ready for load development and deer season.

 

[Skylerbone]

At the price of rebarreling with a good barrel, a used rifle would likely be cheaper until someone gets off their duff and fixes that Remington. Besides, who ever heard of a hunter with just one rifle?!?

 

[RainDodger]

That is an unsatisfactory solution. You should NOT have to wait for the dealer. Personally, I would pack it up and send it straight back to Remington with a letter. YOU should not have to wait one additional second for a dealer's convenience.

 

[eastbank]

kick that dealer to the curb,a friend of mine had a problem with a new rifle several years back and took the rifle back and the dealer gave him another new one off right off the shelf, saying i,ll take care of it. the dealers have more pull with the rifles maker and will not want the dealer bad mouthing them all over the internet and with customers. i believe if you buy a new rifle all you should have to do to it is degrease it,tighten the action screws(mount a scope if wanted), break in the barrel and find the load it likes and go hunting or target shooting. eastbank.