788 Safety problem....with detailed pics...HELP!

[ElKabong]

Bought a .30-30 chambered Remington 788 at apawn shop today. Got a good deal because the safety wouldn't budge. I got it home and took it apart to get a better look and compare to one of my other 788's.

The other 788's have a different safety than the older .30-30 rifle. The newer style externally engages a lever that I assume blocks the sear internally.

Here are a couple pics of the new (functioning) safety for reference.....

Now onto the old (stuck) safety. It has a spring loaded pin that hits two holes in the inside of the safety lever (similar to the new style but a larger pin). When I disassemble the safety and remove the pin the safety lever has full range of motion. When I replace it the pin will not allow the lever to move out of the larger hole, effectively locking it in place. My guess is the pin is incorrect and is too long possibly, it seems to bottom out in the hole and not allow the lever to slide past.

Here are some pics of the old non-functioning safety. Does anything look glaringly incorrect??

I guess if I have to take it to a 'smith I'll still be OK, but I really wanted to give fixing this a whirl. If I had the same rifle in functional form to compare against I guess it would be pretty easy.

Thanks in advance for any help,
ElKabong

 

[1911ShooterTJ]

Sorry I can not help you, but I did find this diagram for you. Hope it is of some help!

http://www.gun-parts.com/remingtonhprifle/788.jpg

 

[ElKabong]

Looks like the part that I think is causing problems is the safety plunger.
I guess I could order that and the corresponding spring since they aren't ultra-expensive, just on the off chance someone put a wrong part on. I'm just afraid that the real problem is somewhere in the trigger and this was a botched repair job.

It would be really nice if someone had the same trigger in a rifle to look at though.

Has anyone use a Timney trigger in one of these 788's?
They supposedly use the bolt stop and safety (lever only?) from the existing trigger. That might fix things and give me a better trigger to boot.

ElKabong

 

[Hud]

First off, I have never seen a 788 before, so anything I say is only speculation.
I would think that the hole indicated by the red arrow simply provides clearance to prevent the roll pin from rubbing on the back side of the safety lever.
I think you have got the problem narrowed down to the detent plunger.
I would clean up the plunger and the hole, check for burrs then install the plunger without the spring to see if it goes all the way into the hole without binding or the tip protruding past the face of the housing. The "safe" detent hole could possibly be oversized making it difficult to move, if the plunger is retracting like it should.
Like I said, I am only guessing, but these are things that I would try, if you haven't already.
Regards, Hud

 

[ElKabong]

First off, I have never seen a 788 before, so anything I say is only speculation.
I would think that the hole indicated by the red arrow simply provides clearance to prevent the roll pin from rubbing on the back side of the safety lever.
I think you have got the problem narrowed down to the detent plunger.
I would clean up the plunger and the hole, check for burrs then install the plunger without the spring to see if it goes all the way into the hole without binding or the tip protruding past the face of the housing. The "safe" detent hole could possibly be oversized making it difficult to move, if the plunger is retracting like it should.
Like I said, I am only guessing, but these are things that I would try, if you haven't already.
Regards, Hud

Tried it without the spring and it still sticks out too far for the lever to move. I'll get a loupe and a good light and see if there is any damage to the hole, but I think not. May be time to order new plunger and spring just for sh*ts and giggles.

ElKabong

 

[ElKabong]

You hit the nail on the head Hud, 50 cents worth of GunBlast and some elbow grease and it's A-OK.

Had to COMPLETELY disassemble the trigger which is a task about 3 levels of difficulty higher than I normally attempt. Actually, disassembly is easy, but reassembly can be a bit tricky for an all-thumbs kinda guy like me.

I guess that makes me a gunsmith in the same way that one kid on the school bus in grade school was a super-hero.

ElKabong

 

[Onmilo]

If you don't want to call yourself supergunsmith you can at least consider yourself competent.
You weren't so proud that you wouldn't ask for help when you needed it and you tried the advice that was offered.

The icing on the cake will be that the trigger doesn't cause you problems when you get the rifle out to actually shoot it.

 

[Hud]

ELKabong,
Thats GREAT! Glad you got it fixed. Your excelent pictures & description of the problem really helped. Without them, I wouldn't have had a clue.
Enjoy your "new" toy & take pride in your "all thumbs" ability.
Regards, Hud

 

[beckdw]

I realize that this is an old thread but am having the same issue with my granddad's 788 in .308. Correct me if I'm wrong, but was the plunger not the problem? You said you had to take the entire trigger assembly apart, if the plunger was the issue, why did you disassemble the trigger? Thanks. (I took the safety off and cleaned everything there including the plunger, spring, and it's hole with no result)

 

[Kp321]

788 triggers are a problem. They used powder metallurgy parts, pre MIM and weaker, instead of forgings. Timney makes excellent replacement triggers for around $150.

 

[788Ham]

I ordered a Timney replacement for my .223 about 3 years ago, drop-in easy. I paid $129.00 from Midway to my front door, best monies I've ever spent. Its an adj. trigger, but mine touched off at 320z's without any adj. , 1000 X's better than the old one. You can use existing safety also.

beckdw, order one like I've explained above, change it out, then when you go to the shooting range, throw the old one along the road for someone else !

 

[wallypedal]

They are problematic, but can be dealt with. Since this is the gunsmithing and repairs section - I'll add this. I found and followed guidance for working on these that made great improvements. That link is here: http://www.predatormastersforums.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1578970
I actually drilled and tapped for a larger screw, and it worked out extremely well.

Caution: This kind of trigger work is delicate and technical. I wouldn't suggest it anywhere but on a gunsmithing forum. A basic understanding of how triggers work, sear engagement, stoning and polishing, spring tension effect on related functions, etc. is necessary. Sometimes junking equipment out isn't an economical or practical option!

 

[beckdw]

Thanks for the advice guys. I will give drilling it out a shot (pun not intended), and if all else fails I can put a new trigger on it.