Question about Remington trigger recall/class action suit

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gunsrfun1

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Hello:
I am thinking this issue has been discussed quite a bit already, but I couldn't find a thread to answer my questions, so here goes.
I was at my FFL today and happened to see that he has a notice posted about a class action suit regarding Rem triggers.
Long story short, I went to the website (remingtonfirearmsclassactionsettlement.com) and plugged in the SN for my Sportsman 78, and it first asked if I've had any accidental discharges. I answered honestly "no," although I probably only have around 50 rounds through it. (I bought it used.) Then it came up with two options for me: 1) Take the gun to a Rem service center and have an X-Mark Pro installed, 2) Ship the gun to the Rem service center on Rem's dime and have an X-Mark Pro installed.
The current trigger, which is adjustable once you remove the stock (it has the three adjustment screws) is ok for me, after I adjusted it a bit. It doesn't break like glass, but it's acceptable.
I'm not the type who says, "Well it's free, I'll take it" unless there is a good reason. For one thing, sometimes you end up with something worse than you started with. Also, I do realize that this model is not subject to an official recall, but it is part of this class action settlement.
I've also read that this entire issue is somewhat controversial and that some people claim it was overblown. I am sure there are proponents of both views.
So here are my questions:
1) Should I be concerned from a safety standpoint about an AD? If so, I will, of course, send it in for a trigger replacement.
2) If there is no need to be concerned at this point, should I send it in anyway, to get an updated and, one would assume, better trigger?
3) Does Rem do a decent job in replacing these triggers, or are they so overloaded with work that you are gambling on getting decent workmanship, and might actually get a worse gun back?
Thanks ahead of time for your answers and input.
 
The situation is real and potentially dangerous, there is ample proof of that including Remington's own internal documents and court settlement disclosures. I would send it back for the new trigger or sell it. It has not happened in all their specified guns, but has the potential to happen in all of them. Do not be swayed by folks who will come on here saying they have owned a 7xx for a zillion years and had no problems. Good luck in whatever course you decide to take!
 
The design of those triggers is flawed. Most will never discharge unintentionally, but 100% of them could if you get unlucky. I've seen it happen and own a gun that has done it twice in 40 years. The 1st time roughly 20 years ago, and the 2nd time about 2 years ago at the 40 year old mark. The trigger is just as it left the factory and was perfectly clean when removed.

There are lots of people spreading false info saying that the problem is simply one of the triggers being adjusted improperly or because of neglect. It is true that an improperly adjusted or neglected triggers may do this, and some of the incidents involving Remington bolt guns were the result of improperly adjusted triggers or neglect. It is also true that these triggers have been proven to discharge with no trigger pull regardless of trigger pull weight and when still new on the production line. It is really 2 different issues and Remington has used improper or dirty trigger defense in court in over 100 lawsuits. I don't think they have ever convinced a jury who has seen all of the evidence. A lot of folks think that since they have never seen it happen this has to be a liberal conspiracy to ban guns.

If I owned any Remington bolt rifle (except the 788) made between 1946 and 2007 I'd have the trigger replaced with an aftermarket trigger. I ordered a Timney for just over $100 and installed it myself in 15 minutes. By the time you go to the hassle and expense of sending your gun in the "free" upgrade won't be much cheaper than just buying a new trigger. Plus you'll get a lot better trigger than the X-Mark Pro and not have your gun out for months.

While my experience with the new trigger is limited, it is not a great trigger, but the flawed design has been corrected. If my rifle came with one I'd still be tempted to replace it. Not because it is dangerous, you can just get a better trigger.
 
Thanks, keep the comments coming. I bought this gun in .30-06 on a whim of sorts; I just felt that "everyone should own a .30-06." But I don't have any immediate need for it. (I hunt with a .30-30). So I may just send it in, rather than spend any more money on an aftermarket trigger.
I didn't realize this issue was that critical, to be honest. So thanks for setting me straight.
Generally speaking, does Rem do a decent job of replacing these triggers, or are there a bunch of horror stories about the guns coming back looking like a tank ran over them? (I'm sure there are a few such cases; just wondering if they are screwing them up on a regular basis.)
Thanks again.
 
My father was one who had the recall performed. Nice day for a hunt, deer coming out, raise gun, finger off trigger, flip safety off, BOOM. Called Remington, got RMA, gun was turned around within 2 weeks with a new trigger, only way you could tell anything had been done was the new trigger bow was stainless, when the original was blued. It is still his favorite rifle.
 
1) Should I be concerned from a safety standpoint about an AD? If so, I will, of course, send it in for a trigger replacement.

Yes you should, as others have noted. The trigger design is flawed and there's no way to know if yours will some day fire when you didn't pull the trigger.

The fix is a new trigger of different design. It's OK. Maybe slightly better than the old one, maybe not.

Some people have had luck convincing Remington to let them send in just the trigger and get a replacement back to install. It's an easy install if you can do basic parts swapping. This doesn't save you money since Remington will pay to ship the whole rifle in, but some would prefer not to ship a rifle that has a decent stock, properly mounted scope, etc.
 
hmmmm, i delayed initially as my Remington 700 SPS in .308 is an absolute tack driver and I don't want anyone messing with it, the Bell and Carlson stock, or the Leupold MKIV. I might go with the Timney option. I really do love that gun.
 
Thank you Z-Mich, that actually is a bit of a concern of mine. I would have to remove the scope as well as an aftermarket buttpad that I have installed. Not a major big deal, but just another thing to do.
I am going to call them next week and check on whether they will send me the trigger assembly, maybe on a credit card with a return option for the old one.
But it looks like if they insist on sending in the entire gun in, I am going to do so.
 
The situation is real and potentially dangerous, there is ample proof of that including Remington's own internal documents and court settlement disclosures.

Do not be swayed by folks who will come on here saying they have owned a 7xx for a zillion years and had no problems.

Believe 10% of what you read on the Internet, and if it's a gun forum only 10% of that.
 
I bought a 700 CDL because I wanted a classic 30-06 and Remington fit the bill. I called Remington last year about the trigger and said I'd prefer an aftermarket trigger, because, even though the replacement Rem trigger is suppose to solve the issue, I just can be 100% sure. Ended up paying for and installing a timney. Quick, easy and I have a great trigger and peace of mind. I won't be buying another Remington any time soon (translates to never).
 
Real issue, but, no one in the family has had an issue. Remington service or warranty centers can do the job and are faster than sending it in. You almost have to have it done now. You have stated that you have knowledge of the issue on public forum and you have no way to deny knowledge of the recall. If sold or traded , and something happens, the liability could be huge.
 
I would send it back for the new trigger or sell it.

If you do sell it, make sure the potential new owner understands the story with the recall so they can make an educated decision before and after purchasing.

Please don't be that guy that just sells a broke gun (or one that is subject to a recall) to a stranger just to avoid a hassle and let the new owner deal with the problem. Lots of people do that, hate to see it promoted here.
 
I did some more digging and it turns out that my gun is not subject to the recall; that only affected guns with the X-Mark Pro of certain years. While Remington is offering to replace the triggers in guns such as mine, that is not a recall per se, and I couldn't even get it done until the courts approve the settlement. It's basically two subsets of guns that a lot of people lump into one "recall," which is not correct.
 
This recall is for triggers installed from 2006 to 2014. Guns manufactured after 2014 do not have the same trigger and guns before 2006 certainly don't.
 
... It's basically two subsets of guns that a lot of people lump into one "recall," which is not correct.
In the several threads I have participated in most people seem to be aware of the difference. It is the earlier rifles like yours (not subject to the "recall") that have caused the actual problems.
 
Around a year ago I was debating on getting an aftermarket trigger for my Remington 700 (6.5x47 Lapua) because I felt that I needed a higher quality trigger. Then I heard about the recall with the X-Mark Pro triggers, I entered my serial number and it was one of the affected rifles.

Ever since I bought the rifle (well, the "donor" action anyway) I have put around 700 rounds downrange without a single accidental discharge. Despite this, I went ahead and replaced the trigger with a Timney trigger just to put my mind at rest because I would always be thinking whether my rifle would accidentally discharge or not. I didn't want to send it back to Remington because they screwed up on the trigger once and I didn't want a repeat of that.
 
There are two entirely separate recalls that Remington has mixed together. One is on the millions of Remington rifles with the Walker trigger, starting with the 721 era. The second is on newer rifles with the early X-Mark Pro trigger.

The Walker trigger has a design flaw, detailed below. It is a real issue. Fortunately, it is easily addressed by replacing the trigger, either with an X-Mark Pro or an aftermarket unit like a Timney.

The early X-Mark Pro trigger had excess glue applied which in some cases can cause problems.

In both cases Remington addresses the problems by replacing the old trigger with a new X-Mark Pro trigger.

The Walker trigger problem:


Here's the Walker trigger cocked:

REMINGTONtriggernamed1.jpg

The Remington 700 trigger is a bit unusual in that it uses an extra piece, the trigger connector, to refine the trigger pull. The tiny red area is the engagement between the connector and the sear.

When the trigger is pulled, the connector goes forward and returns to this position, sweeping the area of the red triangle:

REMINGTONtriggernamed2.jpg
For this trigger to operate safely it is essential that when the rifle is cocked the trigger connector return 100% to the proper position, pushed there by only the light weight trigger spring.

Any tiny speck of dirt, rust, ice or other material that gets in between the connector and the shoe, or gets wedged between the connector and the trigger housing, will prevent the connector from engaging the sear properly. This can result in the safety keeping the sear from falling instead of the trigger connector. When the safety is released, the gun fires.

With all this in mind, let's take a look at some of the common objections:

"It’s an anti-gun conspiracy / CNBC is biased."

Yes, CNBC is biased, and their story contains slanted perspectives and misleading information. What did you expect? However, just because the presentation is biased doesn’t necessarily mean that the core issue isn’t true.

"It must be caused by people fiddling with their trigger adjustments."

No doubt some of the problems are indeed due to improper adjustments. However there are lots of rifles that have adjustable triggers that don’t have anywhere near as many complaints. Something else is going on.

“I’ve owned a Remington 700 for forty years and fired thousands of rounds and never had a problem.”

Good for you. This problem doesn’t happen very often, simply because it’s fairly difficult for stuff to work its way into the proper area of the trigger. But this is not a question of a few defective guns; it’s a design weakness that could affect any of the millions of guns with this trigger. If you haven’t had a problem, it’s because nothing has worked its way into your trigger.

Yet.

"This only happens on dirty or neglected guns."

This is more likely to happen on a dirty or neglected gun. However, a tiny speck of woodland detritus could make this happen on an otherwise pristine gun.

"No one would have been hurt if they followed The Rules of Gun Safety."

True enough. You should always treat your gun as though it could go off at any moment. That doesn't excuse making a rifle that actually does it.
 
I would just replace it. I got a Timney for my 700 and absolutely love it. It is significantly better than the factory trigger, plus the safety blocks the trigger, not the sear.

$120 buys you a better trigger, peace of mind, and I am sure anyone would willingly pay that to undo a disaster.
 
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