Posted on 07/07/2014 5:48:48 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
The Remington Arms Co. has reached a nationwide settlement of claims that most of its Model 700 bolt-action hunting rifles have a defective trigger mechanism a settlement likely to include the recall of millions of the popular firearm.
Richard Barber, a Montana man whos been saying for a dozen years that many of the Model 700 are defective and should be recalled, indicated Monday that a recall is part of the settlement.
Barbers 9-year-old son, Gus, was killed by a Model 700 rifle in a 2000 hunting accident in Montana. The family says the rifle fired when Barbers wife, Barbara, released the safety as she prepared to unload the weapon. The bullet passed through a horse trailer and hit Gus, who was standing behind the trailer.
(Excerpt) Read more at m.ravallirepublic.com ...
I remember talking rifles with someone I worked with a couple of years back and this very subject came up. I never figured it would take this long to settle. I’ve long since swapped out “Katie’s” factory trigger for a Timney.
The basics of gun safety would help reduce the number of accidents to a bare minimum.
I got a new trigger put in my 700 a couple of years ago.
Defect or not. Obviously no muzzle control. The bird is in your hand err the rifle. If it goes bang when you are holding it is your responsibility. It was not pointed in a safe direction.
I do sincerely empathize with your mistake.
I’ve had a model 700 for the last 43 years. Never had a problem with it.
I have an old Remington mode 582 .22 bolt action. It is odd for a .22LR in that it has six locking lugs.
The trigger on mine went bad several years ago. It was probably intended to be a better than average trigger as it has absolutely no take up. Unfortunately it eventually got to where it needed just a little more as no matter how hard you pulled it, the gun would not fire.
I took it apart and soaked it with penetrating fluid then sprayed it with molybdenum spray. It began to work again but after a couple of years it sometimes does it again. I might check to see but since it was made in the early 70s, probably not on the list.
I think they’ve had at least 2 recalls on that rifle. But accidents can also be caused by carelessness.
I have two Remington 700s, and there is nothing wrong with the trigger in either of them.
The model 700 is a superb rifle.
I’ve had mine for 20 years now,no problems here either.
Mine shoots straight. And to be honest, I never use the safety.
Here's a little more info on issues with the design (raised by the designer himself).
Yep. At the end of the day point the damn thing in the right direction - at all times.
What is it about not pointing your weapon towards the ground whenever you fiddle with it .....???
Nice group!
Way back in the 1980’s a friend brought his M700 in 7mm mag over to my place telling me “there’s something wrong with the trigger.” I took it outside, aimed it in a safe direction, loaded the chamber, and activated the trigger. Nothing happened. I held it to my shoulder for a few more seconds and BOOM! I told him don’t even load the gun - take it to a smith and have it repaired. Since then I’ve never tried to fire another M700. All my bolt actions are Rugers and I’ve never had an issue with any of them.
I don’t think there is anything “wrong” with the 700 trigger. I’ve owned several for over 30 years. I’ve also used about 100 other bolt action trigger mechanisms, and some are safer than others.
A safety that locks the striker is safer than one that just locks the trigger or disengages sear actuation, but safe handling is the primary factor in safety.
Are you aware that they have NEVER, that is NEVER, been able to make the trigger malfunction in that manner?
Well, I’ve had both of mine since well before 2006, so the recall would not pertain to mine. Good to know, though, in case I entertained getting a new one.
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