x-mark pro trigger woes

[spitballer]

The x-mark pro trigger on my Rem 700 ADL Varmint doesn't seem to adjust well anymore. I've reduced trigger pull a couple of times and each time it seems to revert to a hard pull after several dozen rounds or so. Breaks cleanly, just requires a lot of pressure. I've used Rem action cleaner, dried and added rem oil to the assembly as recommended but maybe there's a particular surface I need to pay attention to, or even carefully dress with a file. Anyone else have this trouble?

Or perhaps I've simply expected too much from this particular model assembly and adjusted the screw out too far: as best I can remember I've gone out about 1 1/4 turns from the factory setting. If anyone knows how many outward turns it has when it leaves the factory I could try starting over again from there and adjusting more conservatively...

Also open to suggestions for possible upgrade if necessary. This is a range-only rifle, a light trigger pull is a must. Thanks in advance for responses.

 

[hoghunting]

All of my 700s have Timney triggers as it is a much better trigger than Remington's.

 

[natman]

maybe there's a particular surface I need to pay attention to, or even carefully dress with a file.

There may be a surface that could benefit from some smoothing, but don't try it with any kind of file. A hard oiled stone is the tool to use and only with great restraint and knowledge of exactly what you're doing.

 

[Kp321]

The screw on the trigger is a "feel good" screw. It's range of adjustment is so limited that it is just there to make you feel like you are really adjusting something. Buy a Timney and be happy.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

There is a factory recall on the Remington X-mark pro trigger.

 

[Punkinhead]

There is a factory recall on the Remington X-mark pro trigger.

I assume they come back every bit as awful. Like others, I bought Timneys for all 3 of my Rem 700s.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Not everyone just gives up on their X-Mark triggers and buys a Timney. I just gave up on mine and bought Rifle Basix for all of mine.

At the time, it was half the price, and the same (or better) quality. I guess their name caught up with them - now they cost more than a Timney.

So get a Timney. I have never heard of anyone getting a good and light pull from an Xmark. If you manage to do it, please share how.

 

[spitballer]

Thanks for all the responses:

natman - Oiled stone, got it. Hopefully it won't come to that, but I will definitely rule out even the finest of files. Obviously this calls for some study first. I took off the trigger assembly when I changed barrels last year but I really didn't take time out to study it like I could have.

Sheepdog1968 - Recall? No kidding! Thanks, I'll check into it.

maxxhavoc - Rifle Basix, a name I have not heard before and shall find out more about and thanks!

Obviously I'm considering an upgrade, but if I can make the original trigger assembly work better I'm gonna go for it. Seems to me this should begin with disassembly and good cleaning. Once I understand how the mechanism works I can focus on those surfaces which tend to wear or gall and need proper lubrication (and hopefully not dressing with a stone!) The Rem oil has Teflon which should be good for this. I do have access to a trigger pull gauge, although it's not exactly convenient, so I'm inclined to take this range-only rifle down to 2 lbs unless anyone can tell me that this particular trigger assembly shouldn't be taken that low. I'll double check the manual but I don't recall there being a minimum. Thanks again for all the constructive responses. - TH

post script: excellent tip, maxxhavoc thx

 

[gamestalker]

I haven't come across one that actually works.

But there is hope. I actually like the Rem. triggers and have only come across a couple that I couldn't get tuned, in which Timney solved the problem.

I take the screw out completely, then I adjust the trigger the conventional way. So far this has worked very well with 4 of them, all consistently break like glass at the adjusted weight. The last one I adjusted is 2 lbs..

FYI, if you've never adjusted a trigger before, it might be best, safer to have a smith do it for you. The last thing you want it the rifle discharging when you close the bolt. I also recommend that if your not accustomed to a light trigger, it may be best to shoot it at about 2.5 lbs. for a while first.

Or you can replace it with a Timney.

GS

 

[spitballer]

GS I actually got the x-pro working yesterday by slathering with Rem oil. The manual recommends a drop of at four points, but apparently this just wasn't enough in my case. I was prepared to buy a replacement anyway so what the heck, instead of a measly drop of oil at each point I gave it a good blast from an aerosol can of Rem oil at each point and continued to work all of the mechanisms to spread the oil. Lots of overflow from the oil, but I got it to work consistently at around 1 3/4 lbs pull like it used to and I didn't have to buy a new trigger assembly! In fact I took it out and shot sub moa just this morning at 300. Instead of a dummy round to cushion the firing pin while working it I used an empty case with the primer pocket plugged with a couple layers of tough rubber gasket material. Very happy with the stock trigger now, but I still think Remington should advise users to give the assembly a good blast at each of the four points instead of one drop of oil! I mean, really, if you're going to blast it out with Rem action cleaner and dry it thoroughly...