Remington 742 Woodsmaster

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ldlfh7

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I have a chance to trade a sw9ve pistol for a 742 woodsmaster 30-06.
The 742 is in good but not great condition. I have never held or fired one of these. Would you make the trade? I do not really need another rifle but you know how that goes. This is my only pistol other than a 44 black powder. Is the 742 a good gun?
 
Have the 742 checked over very well. They got beat up a lot and had a tendency to crack frame rails. I'd probably keep the old Sigma and pass on the 742, unless it were NIB.
 
I'd pass on any 742 at any price. Some guys have success with them, many don't. But any way you look at it there are much better rifles out there.
 
I'd pass on the 742 as well, unless you really hate that pistol and cant find anyone to buy it. I guess they were okay for deer guns that only get shot a few times a year, but definitely not up to frequent range use.

I got one as a free hand-me-down. I admit that I dont know how it was treated before I got it, but I do know who I got it from - a retired marine pilot, so I doubt that he would have abused it. It only lasted a few hundred rounds before the bolt(?) started chewing up the internals and refused to cycle. Sadly the LGS reported its not an uncommon problem and that it would cost more to fix than it would be worth. Ended up selling for parts and putting that money (plus a bunch more) into buying a new Rem 700 that was more suited to what I wanted to do with a .30 cal centerfire anyway.
 
A 742 in like-new condition is fine for annual sight-in and killing a couple of deer, through one's lifetime. As noted above, durability is poor. Chambers easily get dirty and impede easy cycling, which accelerates wear and tear.
 
Thanks for the info.
Sounds like a headache that I do not need.
I will keep the pistol and pass on the 742.
 
I would trade for the 742 which is worth more than your sigma. Then sell it to buy an M&P, Glock or Ruger SR series. This way wou can play with the 742 a bit and then upgrade your pistol. Win win situation.
 
My father slayed countless whitetails over a 20-year period with a 742 (until it was stolen). It was accurate and reliable for him.

As Art Eatman said, it is a hunting firearm, not a combat weapon designed for high-round counts and being dragged through mud and dirt.

If you keep it clean and use it as intended, it would likely serve you well. If not, all bets are off.
 
I would try the 742, clean the chamber, make sure the bbl is clear and fire it. If it doesn't jam, I'd trade... 742's have been pretty good to me...

DM
 
742 Remingtons are the most difficult firearms I have ever tried to take a liking to. They seem to fail at exactly the wrong time and sound like a Model T on a washboard road every time you pull the trigger.
 
I would not trade for it unless you could fire it a few times. If it works ok you could consider it. Resale isn't too great for either one. I have had good luck with one 742 but I bought it new, and took good care of it. I traded for a used one once and it was junk.
 
The 742 was a good gun in its day. Its day and parts availability are gone. It may be a couple of shots away from being broke forever. Just like the broke one in my safe. IMHO Stay away.
 
I have a 742 that I inherited. I put ALMOST one box of 30-06 150 gr core lokts through it. On the last mag full out of the box it broke on the 3rd shot. That last three shot group was a great one, considering it was a 742 jam-master. Still have the target! I used a rubber mallet to eject the shell and pins fell out. Im another guy that has a broke one sitting in the safe.

I think you've got your answer! If you like the pistol, I'd keep it.
 
Those may be 2 of the most undesirable guns that i know of so either way any trade would be in a direction for some other gun if it were me.
 
+1 on passing. My grandfather took many deer with his 740 (virtually the same as the 742) with hot handloads at the expense of wearing the crap out of the non heat-treated receiver. It still shoots, but for how long nobody knows. The divots in the receiver rails speak for themselves.
My grandpa still hunts with it (at age 84!) and I load the rounds for it. I load them to Garand specs and no more. When the old man passes, that rifle will be retired.
They were only made to handle 1,000 rds or so.
 
I had one in 30-06, never broke but was not bolt gun accurate and it kicked like a mule. I would rather shoot my 300 mag BAR than it, so I sold it.
 
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