What’s the skinny on a 700

[WestKentucky]

There is so much floating around about the rem 700 trigger that it’s kinda hard to make a decision on what to do. There are lots of triggers out there to buy, there is the recall, and there is the option of doing nothing.

My 700 is just a simple .270 bdl, and is afflicted with the trigger that apparently just arbitrarily fails when the safety is pushed off. The gun is not used for anything other than hunting purposes now, and even as such it is taking a back seat to other guns, and I’m relatively sure that another gun will be added to fit that bill in a lighter form.

So for a beat-around basic gun, what makes sense? Certainly not the highest end target trigger, but likely not the cheapest options either. Should Remington be trusted with the rifle?

Let’s cut the BS, because most rifles will be used about like mine has been lately, about a box a year or less. (I hope to change that, but am seriously considering a classic Winchester which will getvrange time too)

 

[homers]

If you don't use it much or don't want to spend money, goto the Remington site and send it back to Remington for a replacement trigger. If you want to spend a few bucks, get a timney and replace it yourself in 15 minutes, easy.

 

[badkarmamib]

My father had the X-Mark Pro in his SPS, I had the Walker in my ADL. We both put Timneys in them, they were much nicer than anything the factory would install, well worth the $120.

 

[WestKentucky]

If you don't use it much or don't want to spend money, goto the Remington site and send it back to Remington for a replacement trigger. If you want to spend a few bucks, get a timney and replace it yourself in 15 minutes, easy.

I just don’t know that I can trust the first rifle I ever bought to Remington. I know I should, but I don’t, and I won’t.

 

[Skylerbone]

My 700 dates back to ‘90 production and bought new in ‘91. BDL with Walker trigger. Never had a problem, but got a lightening right away from the Smith to a crisp 4 lbs. Fast forward 19 years the same Smith inspects the trigger, gives it a thorough cleaning to supplement my occasional flush with Zippo fluid. He removed a bit of varnish, I continue to use and opt for a lighter trigger. Chose a Rifle Basix, roughly the same price as a base model Timney but available preset to my specified pull weight if ordered directly.

If you keep it, clean it and inspect for damage. If you swap triggers, choose what works for you, and if you sell it, disclose the recall and let the new owner decide.

 

[LoonWulf]

I just don’t know that I can trust the first rifle I ever bought to Remington. I know I should, but I don’t, and I won’t.

Get the aforementioned timney, or rifle basix trigger
There are better options, but for the cost the they are a good replacement.

The stock trigger has some design issues, and are.nit as simple or robust as what come on other rifles.
I personally LIKE the Walker, and the Xmark pro triggers. I have the Xmarks on both of my 700s. Take them apart, clean and polish, and they pulls are very useable for a hunting weight rifle.
After taking a couple apart, the failure points are easily understood, and you can see how poor adjustment, or less than perfect maintenance can render the mechanism unsafe.
Again I take my guns down a couple times a year and inspect everything, so I'm very comfortable with them.

The aftermarket triggers are built to tighter tolerances, and as a result they are, imo, safer to try get low pull weights and contact engagement.
Stay around 3lbs and make sure you have enough engagement on a cleaned Xmark pro and your good to go

 

[cdb1]

I bought my 700 in 72 so of course it has the Walker trigger. In the early 80’s a gunsmith slicked it up and set the pull at 2.5 lbs. it may just be familiarity but it feels as nice as a Timney. I don’t have any plans to replace it.

 

[Picher]

I always adjusted my Rem 700 triggers and didn't have any problems until a couple of years ago, when the rifle went off all by itself, when I was sitting on a deer stand. A Timney was quickly installed, pre-set by request at the factory at 2 3/4 lbs. Love Timney's!!!

If Timneys are ordered from the factory, they'll pre-set to any safe pull weight (and it will come with a Tootsie Pop)!

 

[Bfh_auto]

My wife's got a $150 2 stage Timney

 

[jmr40]

Any rifle with an improperly adjusted trigger can discharge unintentionally. Every single Remington bolt gun made from 1946-2006 (except the 788 which used a different trigger) can discharge with no trigger pull even as adjusted from the factory. It is a flawed design and trigger pull weight has nothing to do with the problem. It is simply a matter of having all the parts in an overly complex trigger get lined up in the right position.

Admittedly, the odds of that happening are slim. Most shooters can go a lifetime and never have it happen. But there is always the possibility. The issue happens so rarely that many guys don't believe the issue is real or that it will never happen to them. I have a 1974 production 700 that did this once sometime in the 1990s and again 5 years ago. Two incidents in 40 years isn't much and illustrates how rare it is. I don't hunt with the gun anymore, and have not in years, but after the 2nd incident bought a Timney. One of my grandkids will get that rifle and even though I don't use it anymore I want to pass down a safe rifle.

There is also a recall on 2007-2014 rifles with the new trigger. This trigger is safe, but adhesive dripped into the trigger groups on some rifles during assembly during this time period and was causing issues. That is the reason for this recall.

Personally, I'd just buy a Timney and forget sending it back to Remington. The new Remington trigger is a safe trigger, but not a very good trigger. The old trigger could be very good, but obviously was flawed. Sounds like a good excuse for an upgrade.

 

[ilmonster]

Have a Rem 700 SPS Tac I use quite a bit for target shooting. Like others have mentioned, I replaced the factory trigger (X-Mark Pro) with a Timney 510 for just over $100. It was set at 2 lbs from Timney and took 10 minutes for a ham fisted person like me to install. You'll sleep better at night and have a really good trigger group at whatever pull weight you wish. Highly recommended.

 

[Laphroaig]

I got tired of waiting on Remington to settle their law suits, and bought Timney's for the 700 and 7 in the safe. Not at all difficult, even though the 7 was a lot easier. I had to file the bottom metal on the 700 to allow for the wider trigger, and the bolt stop spring is held in place by one on the trigger pins on the 700, so you must be careful not to bump that pin to far (like I did). The 7 holds the bolt release mechanism by a separate pin.

They both came from the factory with a nice 3.5 lb. pull, which I think is perfect for a hunting rifle.

We never had a problem with either but after reading H&H's eyewitness account of an AD in the Hunting forum, I'm glad that I did.

 

[Jack B.]

Timney

 

[Legionnaire]

I have Remingtons with tuned factory triggers that are crisp and functional. I have Remingtons with Timney and Jewell triggers. If you are concerned about the factory trigger, let Remington replace it for you or buy an aftermarket. One of the great things about Remington actions is the many aftermarket parts available to customize them. I will continue to buy Remington actions.

And in answer to your original question, if you watch the gun board classifieds (AR15.com, Sniper's Hide, Long Range Hunting, Accurate Shooter, etc.) you can often find a second hand Timney 510 for $100 or so. I have purchased my last couple of Timneys that way.

 

[IdaD]

I'm sending my late 80's 30-06 in to have Remington replace the trigger. Same deal with a Model 7 in 7mm-08 my dad has from the early 2000 range. Neither gun has ever had an issue with an unexpected discharge and they've both been nice rifles.

 

[Art Eatman]

Timney makes a pretty good trigger, and they're not really expensive. I used one to replace the "tort liability" trigger on my Ruger 77 Mark II. Easy installation; just a little grinding on the safety bar.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I've been wondering the same thing myself on the Model 700 triggers. I have a 2002 (ish) vintage 700 ADL in .30-06. The trigger has been adjusted with the factory screw, but still isn't what I'd call good. I'm sorely tempted to spring for a Timney 2-stage and call it good. But that trigger is getting close to what I spent on the rifle, which is making me hold off for the moment. Though it does look like the general consensus is a Timney is the way to go.

 

[Aintso]

I found a video awhile back that did a very good job of familiarizing with the Remington trigger. I'll be damned if I can find it now to share though. The unintended discharge failures aren't as random as they are a function of the trigger not being in the forward position when the safety is moved to the fire position, either due to crud in the trigger housing, or being adjusted way too light. A quick check for the problem consists of cycling the bolt (cocking), set the safety to "safe", then manipulate the trigger and see just how positively it returns to the forward position. Holding the trigger slightly back while moving the safety to "fire" position will cause the firing pin release every time. All this assumes the sear engagement hasn't been altered and is in good working order.

 

[pert near]

The big Remington trigger debacle has everybody changing out their triggers, whether they have an old or new model 700. Because of that, you can get a new or practically new Xmark on ebay for about $35. I've never had a problem with a Xmark trigger & they are quite smooth & crisp.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

We are talking about triggers. Despite my strong feelings, I had decided to have the Mark X installed on my old 700 SPS. There was never a problem with this Walker trigger. The rifle was quickly returned with the new trigger. After adjustment the new trigger broke cleanly at 3.5 pounds on my old trigger pull gauge. My feelings are the aftermarket trigger are great. However, the idea to spend $100.00 plus for a Timney does not warm my heart. My feelings are that the Mark X is a perfectly usable trigger. On the down side the trigger pull may be undesirably heavy. The old 700 SPS 7mm-08 will continue to be my "go to" rifle no matter what.

 

[Milt1]

+1 on homers suggestion!

 

[lightman]

I own several 700's and have for some time. One of mine once fired when I closed the bolt. I've also seen a couple of others that accidentally fired. Mine was dirty! My fault too! I spent several days riding in the back of a truck in Wyoming. Me and my rifle got a pretty good coating of red dirt. I returned home and immediately left out for deer camp. I knew it needed cleaning but didn't take the time. The others that I saw fire accidentally had been adjusted by their owners. They were dirty too! All of mine wear a different trigger now. I love my 700's but really admire how simple and sturdy triggers on the M-70 are.

Most of mine have custom barrels and I rebarrelled a few of them without ever shooting them. The ones that I shot were accurate enough.

 

[DannyLandrum]

So, just to be clear... in the unlikely rare event that the 700 trigger fails, it can do so:
-ONLY when and if the safety is disengaged, or
-completely randomly, without any user action, and without using the manual safety?

 

[WestKentucky]

I think I’m kinda to the point of not doing anything with mine, at least for now. The demand for triggers is as high as it might ever climb, so prices have surely climbed along with demand. I don’t use the rifle much, have other guns that I prefer, and don’t trust Remington in their current conundrum. The rifle will be relegated to range use, and when I see fit (find a deal) I may jump on it.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have two Remington 700's and an XR-100, all purchased in the 2004-2007 time frame. I never had a problem with the Remington triggers but I did not like the way they functioned. All three were replaced with aftermarket triggers, Rifle Basix if I remember correctly but I've slept a bit since then. In any case, the new triggers work more to my liking and I have not had a problem with them.

All three of my Remington rifles required some TLC to make them shoot well, not just the trigger replacement. Remingtons have not been on my list for new rifles since then.

I'd definitely do something with the original Remington trigger, either send it back to Remington or get an aftermarket trigger.