Rem 721

[REN2]

One of our kids inherited our grand dad's rem 721 in .270 with 4X weaver scope. The trigger is too stiff/long (too much pressure, too much time) for my daughter, who is a great shot in controlled fire. How is the trigger adjusted to make it light and crisp using the 2 screws located on the trigger group? Like 2 1/2 - 3# with no overtravel.
Since our children are our future, I would like to give my daughter a winning trigger/accuracy combination with this rifle, so she can build the confidence to go out in the woods.

 

[dakotasin]

if it were mine i'd swap in a 700 trigger.

rifle basix makes a trigger that is a little better than factory, but not too expensive.

 

[Slamfire]

The first thing I did was look at my copy of Bolt Action Rifles by Frank De Haas. He has a description of how to adjust the M721 trigger.

But I wanted pictures so I did a web search.

I found this thread:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307130

Did you notice in the first thread where the guy's M721 discharged when the safety was taken off.

One Greybeard I know told me of two hardware store new M721's that discharged through the floorboard of cars when their safeties were taken off.

I know older M700 triggers have had the same problem.

This thread lead me to the Remington factory recall


http://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/FA_Recalls 4.htm

REMINGTON
MODEL 700,CENTER FIRE RIFLES MFG BEFORE 1982
MODEL 600, 660, 721, 722 40-X RIFLES MFG BEFORE MARCH 1982
MODEL XP-100 TARGET PISTOL MFG BEFORE FEBRUARY 1975

RECALL: Remington Arms Company, Inc. is offering a safety modification program for certain bolt-action centerfire firearms manufactured prior to 1982, including the Model 700, Model 600, 660, 721, 722, 40-X bolt-action rifles (made before March 1982) and Model XP-100 target pistols made before February 1975.

These firearms have a feature known as a bolt-lock that requires the safety to be placed in the “off” position in order to unload the gun. If you participated in this program, your firearm will be modified to eliminate the bolt-lock feature. The operation of your gun will not be otherwise affected.


If you want assistance, call Remington’s toll-free consumer hotline at (877) 387-6691. To learn more about the 1979 safety recall, check our website at www.remington.com.

Offer valid through December 31, 2002
Remington
870 Remington Drive
Madison, North Carolina 27025-0700

I would contact Remington to find out if your rifle is covered by the product recall.

Incidentally, here are instructions on how to adjust the M700 trigger.

http://www.quarterbore.com/library/articles/rem700trigger.html

But, since your rifle is an older one, I would get the trigger examined and/or fixed before I passed a potentially dangerous rifle down to the next generation.

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/a/aacbsnewsrem700_2.htm

 

[eastbank]

first, what the hell were they thinking of,LOADED GUNS IN CARS.i would not hunt with any one including the pope who carried a loaded gun in a car. it,s a easy swap with a 700 rem trigger. i have never had a problem with my 721 made in march 1948, never point your rifle at any thing you don,t want to shoot and always point it down when you unload it. eastbank.

 

[billybob44]

if it were mine i'd swap in a 700 trigger.

rifle basix makes a trigger that is a little better than factory, but not too expensive.

+100 For Rifle Basix.. I bought a Rifle Basix trigger for my 700 VLS on the Internet. Long story short=had some problems. Contacted Rifle Basix Co. They ended up sending me a BRAND NEW trigger for my Rem. at NO CHARGE!!--Very great Co. IMO...

 

[NCsmitty]

I've had my 722 for over 40 years and it has the original trigger that I personally adjusted down quite light, and it has served me well with no issues including no safety problems.
I treat it much as eastbank noted, and only chamber a round when ready to fire. I have no need to carry it loaded.




NCsmitty

 

[Strongbad]

We need to take a small step back here gentlemen. The triggers on the 721's and 700's while very similar, are NOT the same and Rifle Basix does not offer a 721 trigger (not as far I can tell). They appear to be a direct swap, and well, if you want to take off the safety they are. Problem is the ball detent for the safety lever on the 721 is in a different place than on the 700. Second, the 700's have a relief cut in the tang for the safety lever. The 721's have a notch in the stock. The whole thing can be done, but not without a little bit of machine work.

I believe what started the whole stink about the 700/721 locking triggers was the lady who shot her son. They had her on 20/20 or some other big show, talking about the whole thing. This has been several years ago of course. Remington got sued, so they went back and offerred retrofits for the 721's and pre-'82 700's. The 721's can be adjusted/worked where they break very well. Then it's just a matter of excercising proper gun safety, as the others have said, when handling the gun. However, if properly adjusted and kept properly maintained, i.e. free of grime & gunk etc. the 721 trigger is just as safe as any other.

 

[REN2]

Thank you for redirecting my focus onto safety. I never imagined there were safety issues. My daughter is quite happy with her .223, but can't legally hunt deer, elk or antelope with it. Still, I'd enjoy her company in the woods.

 

[rangerruck]

timney does a drop in trigger pack I believe; but i am with other above dude; don't carry it loaded, do the adjusting work yourself, and the 721 can have a pretty great trigger...