Remington 721 - Timney Trigger Install

[Sistema1927]

I really liked the trigger on my 1952 vintage Remington 721 in .30-06, but the fact that it was subject to recall scared me a bit. I knew that if I sent the rifle to Remington that I probably wouldn't be happy with the end result, based on what I have heard from others.

So, I ordered a Timney 510 trigger, and sat down this morning to install it. In retrospect, this isn't for the faint of heart.

The mechanical replacement of the trigger wasn't a problem, paying close attention to push the pins in the correct direction and making sure to not send the bolt stop and spring flying. The new trigger mounted perfectly to the receiver, but this is where the easy part ended.

They aren't kidding when they say that some modification of the stock may be required, since the Timney is significantly wider than the original. I needed to remove a significant amount of wood in order to allow the receiver assembly to fit in the stock and to allow the safety to function without binding. The pile of wood shavings and saw dust continued to grow as I removed just a little bit at a time, rechecking for fit. I have a firm rule that Dremel tools don't belong in the same room as guns, but I was sorely tempted to violate it. A little bit of shaving with a knife, a touch up with a file, test for fit, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat............and repeat.

Finally, everything fit into the stock, and the safety worked.

But.....

Now I discovered that the trigger guard plate was way too narrow. Lots and lots of filing to widen it up, and then a touch up with a blueing pen. I think that everything is ready.

No.

Putting it all back together, even with quite a bit of filing on the trigger guard plate, the trigger would bind.

So...

Disassemble, more filing on the trigger guard plate, and another blueing touch up.

Finally, everything goes back together, nothing binds, bolt now opens with safety engaged, passes all safety checks, and I have a nice crisp 3 lb. trigger, which is about where the original trigger was. No degradation of function, and a safer rifle.

Whew, that only took about 4 hours.

 

[sage5907]

Good job. Next time you install a Timney trigger it will go a lot faster. You did the exact steps that I go through every time I install a Timney trigger on a Model 70 Winchester. You can use a Dremel tool to remove small amounts of wood from the stock if you use a stone instead of a burr. A stone cuts slowly and is easier to control. Also, small files can be used to cut square corners in areas where square corners are needed. I'm talking about files that are several times bigger than jewelers files. I often use a file used to sharpen chain saws to enlarge round holes. A black sharpie works well to add color to metal that has been filed and it looks just like the original finish. I make sure the trigger isn't binding by having a space the thinkness of a sheet of paper on each side. As far as doing the final adjusting on the trigger I adjust the trigger in 1/8 turn increments. I only do the final trigger adjustments when the action is installed in the stock because you don't have a good feel for the pull when the action is by itself. That Timney trigger can be adjusted a lot lighter than the original trigger and still be safe. Shoot a few targets with the rifle and if you're waiting for the rifle to fire as you squeeze adjust it lighter.

 

[ARKLITE881South]

Your right, i used a 5/16 chainsaw file, one of my wife's nail boards,along with a small flat metal file, and it took me about an hour.The Timney i used, also a 510, fit a little tight on the back of the receiver in the tang area also. Its not a drop in fit, but, it just takes a little more time to install than the others did in my model 700's. And provides you with an excellent trigger. Mine was put in a 1951 remington 721, that had a obvious chip on the sear. You could feel it clicking as you pulled the trigger,no doubt time for a replacement trigger.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Your right, i used a 5/16 chainsaw file, one of my wife's nail boards,along with a small flat metal file, and it took me about an hour.The Timney i used, also a 510, fit a little tight on the back of the receiver in the tang area also. Its not a drop in fit, but, it just takes a little more time to install than the others did in my model 700's. And provides you with an excellent trigger. Mine was put in a 1951 remington 721, that had a obvious chip on the sear. You could feel it clicking as you pulled the trigger,no doubt time for a replacement trigger.

Well, you sir, are quite innovative! Good job. I like stubborn folks as you, don't give up and just get it done. Congrats. Just one question: How does the bolt stop/release now work. does the Timney trigger allow the push up plate to still work? In the past I've mostly used Canjar Triggers, but can't get them any longer.