Remington 700 - change trigger?

[txgolfer45]

I was reading about some issues with the Remington 700 trigger actions failing and causing the rifle to discharge without pulling the trigger.

I have a Remington 700 ADL that I bought in 2003. I've never had it discharge without me pulling the trigger. Should I still look at changing out the trigger to address this issue of unintended discharges?

 

[Strongbad]

Most of the hoo-ha is the media blowing things wildly out of proportion. Also maintenance was a big factor, improperly adjusted triggers, etc. The ones you hear the drama about were the pre-83 models where the safety locks the bolt and the safety has to be disengaged to open the bolt. You should be in good shape. Do a search here, because this topic was discussed ad nauseum when the MSNBC special was aired recently.

 

[courtgreene]

I had issues and sent mine back. they replaced it with the x-mark and I've had no trouble since then. I am a LOT more careful with it now... and I thought I was being careful before. If you are worried, they may replace your trigger for free. They did that for mine, but that was after the gun went off shooting a hole in my wall. (something I didn't want destroyed, but it's better than something that has a pulse). Maybe if you haven't had an issue they will still do yours, I don't know, but it never hurts to ask. (also if you ask, have a record of asking, and something DOES happen down the road, god forbid, then you can say "hey, I tried to address this with remington.")

 

[LoonWulf]

I prefer the Xmark pro to the standard trigger...if you can get it changed out id do it.

 

[jmr40]

I'm as critical of Remington as anyone, but I wouldn't change anything. You are aware of the problem. Just use extra caution anytime you move the safety to the "FIRE" position with a round in the chamber. Since your rifle will allow you to open the bolt to unload your rifle with the safety still in the "SAFE" position that should not be an issue very often.

Almost all of the problems are with pre 1982 rifles that lock the bolt down and have to be in the "FIRE" position in order to unload the guns. The problem was finally corrected in all post 2007 guns with the new trigger.

This problem is very rare, but also very real. My problem with Remington is that they continue to lie about the problem and try to cover it up. Everyone knows it CAN happen just as everyone knows it is unsafe to load 6 rounds in older single action revolvers. Remington should follow the example set by Colt and Ruger and simply come clean and do everything in their power to make the public aware of the potential problem. Just having the public aware that extra caution should be used when moving the safety with a loaded round would virtually eliminate all accidents. It has worked with single action pistols.

 

[sourdough44]

The Timney(& others) are easy to put in. I would put one in. The reason is not to do with the TV report but to get a better,lighter,crisper pull. The Timney beats the 'X-Mark Pro' by a long shot.

 

[txgolfer45]

My stock trigger feels decent. I haven't had any issues with AD's in the 8 yrs I've owned it. I may look into changing out the trigger. But, don't feel the need right now.

 

[Adair]

If you decide to change it out, I want the old one! If you are worried, take a good aerosol gun cleaner and clean it out, and then a couple of drops of a good oil. As stated previously, most incidents were older rifles. This could be because cleaners and oils from 30 years ago would gum up and keep the intricate parts of the trigger mechanism from moving freely.

I have an older 700 that fired when I disengaged the safety (about 2 weeks prior to the MSNBC show). I had adjusted the trigger and had zero over travel, preventing the sear from falling freely. It also prevented the firing pin from cocking completely. With a tiny adjustment, I had a light trigger that is completely safe.

 

[Skylerbone]

If it affects your peace of mind replace it. Just remember there is no perfect, safe, absolute with an aftermarket trigger. Apart from the "issue" with the M700 factory trigger there are other failure types which are far more frequent in plenty of other brands, usually due to misadjustment. Adair's is a good example of what can happen when a mechanical device is pushed to the limit of it's ability. Luckily he knew how to correct for it and no one got dead.

The biggest problem with the design is that it easily accepts contaminents but does not easily release them. Have a look at replacement triggers for your Remington compared to a Winchester M70 and decide which looks to be easier to maintain.

FWIW, I took my M700 (a 1990) to my smith for a good cleaning and inspection and he noted a small amount of fouling and oil which in his words were "not a concern at this point". Your cleaning routine may differ however. I did replace mine with a Rifle Basix as my gunsmith will not reduce the Remington to the pull weight I was looking for (2 lbs.). For a lighter than about 3 1/2 lbs. you ought to look at a replacement and keep the factory trigger safely stored at home. Selling it leaves you more vulnerable to lawsuits and the like.

 

[BrocLuno]

I'm also looking into Rifle Basix. If I do a trigger replacement, I'll just toss the original in the scrap metal pile

 

[joed]

I have one new rifle that came with the Xmark trigger, it no longer has it. Sorry, but if there was ever a terrible trigger the Xmark is it. On my new rifle it broke at 6 lb. It's adjustable but the best I could do was just over 4 lb.

Lots of people are buying the older triggers and replacing the newer ones.

 

[Skylerbone]

I didn't scrap mine, I still have it. It was professionally worked by the same gs who replaced it some 20 years later. As he is a friend, I offered him the trigger for his parts bin but he suggested keeping it as a dependable (and it has been) spare.

I ordered my Rifle Basix directly which made it the same price as MidWay and others and it shipped free. They also allowed me to specify pull weight and color. I chose the silver to remind myself that it is not the original. As I received the rifle as a gift on my 18th birthday, it will remain in the family and be passed to my oldest son some day. He will also receive the original Walker trigger that shipped with it and a sit down on potential problems if not properly cared for.

Give Clay a call, he adjusted mine and shipped the same day. Breaks clean as the original and nearly 1 1/2 lbs. lighter. FWIW the Timney has springs that must be changed out depending on the poundage requirement of the user. That means a bit more work than just re-attaching the safety.

 

[unwise11]

If I were you I would put a Timney in it, I want to put one in my Howa eventually.

 

[NCsmitty]

Most of the problems with Remington triggers manifest when they are improperly adjusted.
Regardless of the firearm being used, proper muzzle control is the key to safe gun handling, and preventing most tragedies, plain and simple.




NCsmitty

 

[magnatecman]

The Timney(& others) are easy to put in. I would put one in. The reason is not to do with the TV report but to get a better,lighter,crisper pull. The Timney beats the 'X-Mark Pro' by a long shot.


Do you still use the Remington safety when you change over to the Timney? Or is the whole unit replaced?

 

[Skylerbone]

You use the existing safety lever with the aftermarket triggers. If replacing make sure of what you're ordering, some have no provision for safeties and are meant solely for competition rifles.

For a Timney there are three springs (one pre-installed) to change pull weight. The reason? Quite simply a single spring cannot safely be adjusted for the range of trigger pull specified. That also explains why so many find disappointment in their factory set-up. They ask too much.

 

[Geno]

What magnatecman said. 100% of my Remington rifles, and in fact all but one other centerfire rifles, wears either 1.5 pound or a 4-ounce Timney trigger. They just work "better" than factory original in any manufacturer's rifle, not just Remington.

Geno

 

[hoghunting]

I also replaced the factory 700 trigger with a Timney. Not because of safety concerns, but the factory trigger just couldn't be adjusted for a clean break.

 

[unwise11]

All of this makes me want a model 700 even more..
I want a heavy barreled rifle for dedicated target use, and the 700 SPS tac seems nice, as does the SPS varmint.

 

[Jackal1]

Remington started installing new triggers in 2003 (the same year you bought your gun). The new triggers do not have any problems.

Call Remington and make sure you have the old style before you buy a new trigger...

 

[markb]

There is always 2 sides to every story. The American Rifleman has a good article in this months issue. I have owned several 700's since 1970 and have fired thousands of rounds without any issues. And yes I have done the forbidden and adjusted all of the triggers to my liking. The original 3 screw trigger is one of the best ever produced.

 

[Tirod]

You have to ask - where is the muzzle pointing when you need to take the safety off a loaded gun?

Read all the anecdotal stories, sift through the lawyer's complaints for his client on the TV show, and ask who is responsible for where the muzzle is pointing? It's a complaint fostered by someone avoiding respondibilty, and showcased by the anti gun press.

Got really hot cup of coffee from McDee's lately?

Add in some really dumb adjustments, a lack of appropriate maintenance, and you get a good example of the classy bolt gun hunter and their sense of superiority. Most of this should not have happened, but guess what, the striker fired bolt gun and hammerless trigger seem to be prone to abuse.

Goes to who uses it.

You don't NEED a two pound trigger on a field gun, this is exactly why. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Now Remington ships 6 pound non-adjustable triggers. The unintended consequence of advocating a competition trigger weight for a field gun is not being able to buy it at all because it causes an increase in injury and death.

Most never see it coming. Not their fault, oh no.

 

[Fuego]

I have never had a safety issue with my Rem. 700 in .300 Win Mag. stock trigger. It worked fine. I could not get it to release the firing pin with the safety on, no matter what I did.

I just wanted a better trigger because my shooting pals shoot the 600 yard targets, and the loser has to buy the beer after the shooting is done.

I put in a Jewell trigger, and have not had to buy the beer since it was installed.

But safety was never an issue with my rifle.

 

[10mm Mike]

Now Remington ships 6 pound non-adjustable triggers.

Actually, I believe the regular X-Mark is adjustable in a similar way as the standard post '83 trigger, and like the standard post '83 trigger should only be done by a gunsmith or otherwise competent individual.

You're right about the 6 pound pull from the factory though...

 

[Finprof]

I put in a Timney trigger with a safety because the safety on my original trigger jammed. There is a little ball detent that became misshapen and would jam the safety in on position.
When changing the trigger, the spring for the bolt stop came out. It took about an hour to figure out how to put it back in. Otherwise it was easy.