Remington Ruminations

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K

Kaylee

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So as I walk down a hill in quickly fading light, I flick off the safety and open up the bolt, just like I've always been told. And for the umpteenth time, I think "dang I REALLY don't like making this thing hot when I don't want it that way, even if it's only for a second.. I miss my '03.." Then I start thinking about bolt guns and safeties in general...

So.. a couple questions...

With the bolt open, I see not *all* of the bolt tension is off -- the little knobby thing in back is flush with the cover, instead of recessed inside it like after firing. Does that mean there's still some spring tension on it? And what's keeping it from smacking the primer, especially now that it's out of contact with the trigger group?

I realize this is just a little peeve, but every now and again it makes me want to start looking for an old Model 70 or something to trade this one in for .. sheesh... :)

-K
 
With a cock-on-opening rifle, when you open the bolt you compress the firing pin spring and the pin is held almost all the way back in the firing position (in a slot or whatever the designer figured out). Closing the bolt transfers the retention to the sear. That small change in the amount of exposed pin that you see is that small amount of forward movement during rotation of the bolt when the sear is engaged. (Hope this is halfway clear. Easier with a blackboard. :) )

From the time I was a little kid, I was told to never ever trust the safety on a rifle. So, I don't. :)

Unless I'm walking-hunting with the rifle slung over my shoulder, I keep the bolt handle up. Anytime I'm carrying a loaded rifle, I keep the bolt handle up. When the bolt handle is up, it can't go Bang!

If I've identified a target--Bambi or whatever--I may close the bolt and lock the safety during some further stalking. But, that's a specific and deliberate situation.

All this doesn't mean I've never used the safety on my rifle(s). I just have more faith in the open bolt.

And, as long as the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, having it "hot" won't matter--except for unexpected noise if you goof.

I guess it's just little reflexive things about gun-handling that accumulate over the years. Just like my belief that no rifle is unloaded until I've stuck a little finger in the chamber. It doesn't matter what I might have thought I saw. :) If a rifle has been in the safe for several months, I'll do a "bounce test" of the trigger before I load it. Et cetera and so forth.

Art
 
Apparently your Reminton (700?) is an early model. If, indeed, it is a mod. 700, there was a recall on it to "fix" it so that the bolt can be opened with the safety on. Not sure, but suspect it is still on.

There have been quite a few cases involving "FORS" (fire on release of safety) with the 700's resulting in the recall.

I'm with you, I do not want to have to take the safety off of a rifle with a round in the chamber in order to unload it! The Mod. 70 safety, IMHO, is the best safety out there as it locks the firing pin itself, instead of simply blocking the sear and allows you to uload rifle w/firing pin blocked.

Regards,
hps
 
Kaylee,

If it were mine I'd trade it in for something else, but if you want to keep it, there are three-position Model 70 style safeties and good aftermarket triggers available. Dave Gentry makes one, and I think Jim Wisner might make one too.

The Remington recall is to get rid of the bolt locking feature of the safety but does nothing to correct the FOSR problem.

Best,
Joe
 
The "bounce test" is just what it sez: Bounce the butt of the rifle on the floor (not super hard of course). This checks that the sear engagement and trigger pull aren't out of whack enough that the danged thing goes off with just a slight rap on the butt. I take it for granted that when I'm not looking, the grunge gremlins and dirt-daubers will attack.

Murphy never quits.

:), Art
 
First.. thanks for the tip Art! I'll do as you mention from now on.. :)

Second... just for fun, if I were thinking of replacing this one and trading it in.. what rifles out there have --

- a solid wood stock and enclosed magazine
(I don't like metal floorplates, convenient as they are)
- accuracy at least as good as a stock Remington 700
(first time I ever shot 1-hole groups. :D )
- relatively light weight
- 3-position safety.. Mauser/Springfield type particularly
- iron sights and scope bases
(I've been tempted to haul out my Springfield, but it'd be a crime to drill and tap it out, and I want to be able to use a scope)

To narrow it down, let's stay in .30-06, maybe .308.
Pretty "old world" craftsmanship is a plus, but since I've been carrying around a battered old 700, that's obviously not at the top of my list. It'll also get hauled around the backcountry enough that "artsy collectibles" would be a bad thing to trust me with. :)

Sporterized Mauser? Does Winchester have models with an enclosed magazine? Other ideas? :confused:

-K
 
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