REM 7400 question

[FROGO207]

I have a REM 7400 in 308. I know the story about them being a jamb o matic. I have further researched the topic on a bunch if sites and gone over a lot of fixes to no help. So here is my problem---I shoot a round and it will eject it, strip a round fine and load as normal. So far OK, then I pull the trigger and --nothing. It appears that the rifle has not cocked. Now if I work the bolt to the same length by hand (using tape to measure how far back the charging lever travels) strip round #2 and chamber round #3 then it will fire the round and load#4. The #4 round may or may not fire either. This is the case with round #2 also but 90% of the time #2 or#4 will not fire. Single loading the rifle will fire every round. I have tried a couple different mags, one new factory and a 10 round aftermarket one. No help there. I have stripped and cleaned the rifle completely twice, reamed out the gas port and cleaned the gas passage, inspected to see that the recoil spring has not been cut down or altered, etc. There appears to be no undue wear or galling on the bolt, receiver, or charging bar/gas assy. I have been told by the factory that I should send it in but want to try to find this problem myself if possible. Any thoughts on what I am missing? Yeah I have cleaned the bolt/firing pin area twice also, this has not helped. The rifle is a tack driver at 200 YD and reloading for it does not make a difference. I have tried 15 different kinds of commercial ammo including MIL SURP stuff. I was thinking crud or wear in the bolt or firing pin area but found nothing. I am stumped.:banghead:

 

[ants]

So far you're doing all the smart stuff.

Clean chamber.
Clean gas system.
Clean bolt face.
Check action spring, etc.

You done all the stuff you're supposed to.

Mine did the same thing because the plastic port cover broke a piece off, which was floating around in the trigger/hammer group. That's what stopped it from firing. Removed all debris, bought a new port cover for less than 10 bucks on ebay. Now all is good. (Note: Remington service told me that the plastic port cover is considered a 'disposable' replacement piece that should be replaced on a 7400 whenever necessary. Didn't say that in the factory manual, or any other book I could find, but that's what he told me on the phone. Huh, go figger.)

I don't know if that's the same problem you have, but it illustrates the fact that simple crap happens, and to avoid factory service you just gotta go through all the parts and pieces yourself one at a time to seek the culprit. I also once had a loose c-clip on an Rem 870 in the trigger group that stopped it until I bought a new one. Loose c-clip, floating debris, or whatever.

And, of course, hopefully some expert will drop by (not just smart guys like you and me, but a REAL expert) and help you out.

 

[FROGO207]

Thanks for the reply Ants.
I took it all apart and got all the crud out of the trigger group, the receiver, and all other internal areas. I bought this rifle used and think that it had never been cleaned since new.:banghead: My plastic port cover is missing a piece but I did not find any of it inside of the rifle when I disassembled it. I will take it apart once more and check again for more crap or plastic inside. Then I will replace the port cover. I did not do it before because I figured it was just cosmetic. I am hoping that the receiver rails are not worn too far and causing this. I understand this is a common problem with the 7400. IF this is indeed the case the rifle is basically junk.

 

[ants]

I hope it's not junk. These are nice rifles.
Let us know how it works out, friend.

 

[mnrivrat]

Take a close look at the trigger group amd in particular the disconnector linkage. Sometimes the linkage can work its way to the wrong side of the matting tab. Sometimes it can just hang up. This causes the secondary sear to malfunction and the hammer simply follows the bolt back forward.

 

[FROGO207]

Thanks for that info also. If I can find a quiet time tomorrow I am going to rip her apart again and look at the areas suggested. I will keep you informed of my findings.