What’s the skinny on a 700

[Legionnaire]

So, just to be clear... in the unlikely rare event that the 700 trigger fails, it can do so:
-ONLY when and if the safety is disengaged, or
-completely randomly, without any user action, and without using the manual safety?

I personally have never experienced a problem with a Remington trigger. While figuring out how they work, I have been able to replicate the first problem you describe (with an unloaded gun): cock bolt, set safety, pull trigger (does not fire), gun "fires" with the safety is released without finger on trigger. This seems to be what I hear about most often. I have never seen or heard of a Remington trigger that discharged randomly without any manipulation of the trigger or safety.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Remington's Firing: Does this trigger being pulled with the safety on may have to do with the over-travel adjustment?

 

[Sniper66]

Had an accidental discharge from my Rem 700 VLS .243 while in the deer blind. It now has a Timney trigger.

 

[roc1]

Put a Triiggertech in it better than factory trigger not as good as Jewell maybe .I don’t have a Jewell lot of guys I shoot with do but Triggertech are awesome lots shooters going to them

 

[LoonWulf]

Remington's Firing: Does this trigger being pulled with the safety on may have to do with the over-travel adjustment?

In the Walker I would say not usually. I could see it possibly causing a delayed shot if it manages to be set short enough to hang up the sear on it's way down. Change grip on the rifle/trigger and the sear slips free.

The major problem imo on the Walker, is the seperate hardened steel....transfer bar thingy. If it gets dirty enough, or otherwise stuck, or the pull weight is set to light it can leave it forward as well.

The new Xmark pros have a solid trigger, and a system where back tension is applied to the trigger so that it's forced under the sear when on safe.
They have also used 2 springs to set trigger tension, and the one in the trigger blade is the lighter of the two. This means that if one spring is miss set, looses it's set screw, or breaks, there is still a redundant spring forcing the trigger back.
That's why guys offten complain they can't get a pull below 4-5lbs. What I prefer to do is adjust both springs so that they have positive contact+1/2turn on the one in the housing itself. That usually gets pretty close to 3lbs on the low side. Then adjust weight with the spring in the trigger blade, as that's easier to get at.
If I still can't get a pull weight I like, I'll remove the springs and install lighter.but longer ones.....I'm out right now, and I can't remember where I got them. I'll have to go look.

 

[BWS]

Have never had an AD with a 700 but,have with two different Savages. One LA,and one Sa..... in both cases it was complete negligence on my part.Both Savage triggers were nasty dirty.

In my defense?.... these both are "hardcore" hunting rigs.Drug through years of abuse.

Edit .... I have a dz 700's ranging from very early models to brand new. And will add,that Timney 510's aren't just about "fixing" an issue but,are a serious upgrade on a 700 from a hunting perspective.Set to 2 1/2#'s....

 

[bihj]

Currently own 700's. Never had a stock trigger malfunction. Never could get them adjusted to my liking either. Replaced all with Timney's years ago and never looked back.

 

[Legionnaire]

Remington's Firing: Does this trigger being pulled with the safety on may have to do with the over-travel adjustment?

It may, but the over-travel works in concert with the trigger engagement--the screw on the back of the trigger housing--to minimize take-up. Adjusting so the trigger "breaks like glass" is a balance between the two. I think the "fire when the safety releases" problem is more likely related to an overly-aggressive trigger engagement adjustment.

I cannot explain it with precision. What I know is that when I think I have the trigger adjusted where I want it, I go through the motions of cocking the bolt, setting the safety, pulling the trigger, and releasing the safety. If I can't do that 20 times without the bolt firing on release of the safety, it isn't "safe" and I'll back all the adjustment screws out and start again.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

What happens if the over travel screw had been turned out too far by Bubba?

 

[George P]

There is so much floating around about the rem 700 trigger that it’s kinda hard to make a decision on what to do. There are lots of triggers out there to buy, there is the recall, and there is the option of doing nothing.

My 700 is just a simple .270 bdl, and is afflicted with the trigger that apparently just arbitrarily fails when the safety is pushed off. The gun is not used for anything other than hunting purposes now, and even as such it is taking a back seat to other guns, and I’m relatively sure that another gun will be added to fit that bill in a lighter form.

So for a beat-around basic gun, what makes sense? Certainly not the highest end target trigger, but likely not the cheapest options either. Should Remington be trusted with the rifle?

Let’s cut the BS, because most rifles will be used about like mine has been lately, about a box a year or less. (I hope to change that, but am seriously considering a classic Winchester which will getvrange time too)

Have you had issues? I have a 1980 700 BDL in 7mag; it has worked perfectly all of these years with zero issues. I am not going to worry about it

 

[Mowgli Terry]

See, this is why the Walker trigger is a hot button topic. You have posts were you had unintentional discharges. Along with this comes long time owner/shooters with no problems. Add into the mix shooters than did not like the Walker trigger for other reasons. These people were totally satisfied with the results with the aftermarket trigger. I don't think the absolute truth on the Walker trigger will ever come out. I'm certainly not going to mess with the factory replacement trigger on my 700 SPS.

I'm undecided on changing out the trigger on my early 1980's vintage 700 VS in 222 Remington. The other two Remington's have the 2oz trigger. That trigger was not involved in the recall,

 

[cdb1]

The other two Remington's have the 2oz trigger.

?

 

[Mowgli Terry]

The 2oz trigger was found on the bench rest rifles. It had no safety. The trigger pull was exceptionally light. The trigger also did not have the button in the trigger guard to operate the bolt release. I don't thing this trigger has been offered in years. The regular 40X trigger was Walker based but modified. Remington collectors could probably give you more complete information.

 

[herrwalther]

I wouldn't trust Remington to fix anything right now after the issues they have had. If I had a 700 with a recalled trigger, I would do some research on third party triggers and be friends with a local gun smith.

 

[cdb1]

The 2oz trigger was found on the bench rest rifles. It had no safety. The trigger pull was exceptionally light. The trigger also did not have the button in the trigger guard to operate the bolt release. I don't thing this trigger has been offered in years. The regular 40X trigger was Walker based but modified. Remington collectors could probably give you more complete information.

Got it, thanks.

 

[LoonWulf]

What happens if the over travel screw had been turned out too far by Bubba?

that could cause an issue as it MIGHT allow the ham handed to "squish" the trigger return spring into the threaded hole it rides in. I hadnt thought about that.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

You got two screws in front of the Walker trigger. The top screw adjust the weight of pull. The bottom screw is the trigger stop screw. That's what I have called the over travel screw-incorrectly. What would happen if Bubba backed off both screws. Looks like the whole deal would be flopping. Holding the trigger and removing the safety would have made an accident. The instant I removed the safety the gun would have gone off. Also, what if Bubba had fiddled with the back screw. That's the trigger engagement trigger. You got several ways to make an unintentional discharge the easy way. Remington told people not to break the seals on these screws. Bubba did not know nor care about this warning. And in those accidental discharges in most every instance the firearm was pointed at somebody.

 

[Sniper66]

2 ounces?? That is the don't-breathe-hard trigger. Seems to me that it would discharge with a slight bump. God bless those who can manage it.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

2oz. Trigger: When we used this trigger in varmint rifles the bolt handle was left up until time to fire. If the gun went off with bolt handle up we were fated to have an accident on that day. We never had a problem with that trigger. I didn't mess with them either. To me, at this point of life, it's uncomfortably light. In the day we knew to keep our fingers off any rifle trigger until we were ready to fire-period. I though that it was firearm safety basics for one to keep finger out of the trigger guard until actually ready to fire. On the 2oz. trigger we know our limitations.

 

[LoonWulf]

2 ounces?? That is the don't-breathe-hard trigger. Seems to me that it would discharge with a slight bump. God bless those who can manage it.

Really light triggers have a learning curve.

I've never had a rifle with a trigger like that, but my competition paintball markers were at heaviest 25 grams. You learned to keep your fingers out of the guard when u ran.
Never had an ND on my own markers, but one I borrowed would shoot if you shook it right...that nearly got me DQ'd

 

[LoonWulf]

You got two screws in front of the Walker trigger. The top screw adjust the weight of pull. The bottom screw is the trigger stop screw. That's what I have called the over travel screw-incorrectly. What would happen if Bubba backed off both screws. Looks like the whole deal would be flopping. Holding the trigger and removing the safety would have made an accident. The instant I removed the safety the gun would have gone off. Also, what if Bubba had fiddled with the back screw. That's the trigger engagement trigger. You got several ways to make an unintentional discharge the easy way. Remington told people not to break the seals on these screws. Bubba did not know nor care about this warning. And in those accidental discharges in most every instance the firearm was pointed at somebody.

This is also true, and I can see "Bubba" messing with the over travel/trigger stop (either name works for the screw) before realizing it didn't affect pull weight and leaving it where it was to go mess with the other.

Having BEEN, a perhaps more cautious, bubba on more than one occasion. Ive still never had one of these triggers drop, but I've seen it happen with an unmodified trigger.
That said I still prefer to swap the Walker out for an Xmark.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Over time it may have that rear screw that caused the most problems. That one had to do with the sear engagement. Basically, when Bubba attacked the trigger it was an accident going to happen. This dirt business and poor heat treating does not fly. Sure enough this may cause accidental discharges. But, to me, more likely that the trigger has been messed with. I wonder how many of these problem rifles were second hand. That is, " Bubba-ized" by previous owners?

 

[Legionnaire]

What you suggest is quite possible. I don't have a "stock" Walker trigger. They have all been adjusted by a gunsmith or by me to get them down to 3.5-4.0 pounds. The factory setting of 6-10 pounds invites tinkering. For the record, I have always told purchasers of Remingtons I sold that the triggers were adjusted and were not factory set. Of course, they already knew that when they tried it, it broke cleanly, and they said, "Wow! That's nice!"

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Here's the problem. Certainly, there are people who can and do skillful work on a Walker trigger. I must admit an uneasy feeling about having triggers tuned. This is a comment about I feel about turning-me personal. This is not aimed at anybody. How many times have you run across Bubba talking about his work. You listen for about two minutes and realize he is from cloud cuckoo land. It's kinda like the guy who shared with me his way of turning Pythons was to fill the action with valve grinding compound. This guy is the one I worry about. There are fewer and fewer people out there that can do good work with the passing of the years. Locally, I'd get an aftermarket trigger or factory replacement before taking a risk

 

[Legionnaire]

I think we are in basic agreement. When I buy a second hand Remington (I heard you on the Python and revolvers are a different animal) I always break it down before I shoot it. Action comes out of the stock, I disassemble the bolt (generally NOT the firing pin assembly), soak and blow the crap out of the trigger, etc. If I'm going to work on the trigger, I do it before reassembly. Part of the reason for this is I don't trust Bubba, either. I want to know the condition of every part I can reasonably get to. I want to know it was cleaned thoroughly, lubricated well, and reassembled properly. I like Remington actions and have now built a couple of "Remages." Since I was building a semi-custom, both of the Remages wear Timneys.

WestKentucky's original question focused on Remington triggers. I think we've covered the question well. I think the original Walkers are serviceable triggers that can be adjusted safely. The 40X triggers are outstanding. The X-Mark/Pro triggers are workable, but deceptive--the exposed screw doesn't let one adjust the weight of the trigger as light as the trigger can be safely set; you still have to pull the action out and adjust the other screws. And there are good aftermarket alternatives for someone who simply wants to replace the entire unit with something factory set to a desired weight. So if you're uncomfortable with a Remington Walker, or afraid that Bubba has screwed with the trigger, you have good options.