The new Remington bolt/firing pin safety must be something relatively new; I bought a Model 700 LTR about a year and a half ago with no little key operated hole in the bolt shroud. I bought another Model 700 ADL less than a year ago and it does have the new key safety feature, which I don't like at all. Here's what Remington has to say about this:
"Remington is offering a safety modification program to remove the bolt-lock mechanism from certain Remington bolt-action centerfire firearms made prior to March, 1982. (Post-1982 bolt-action firearms were not manufactured with bolt-lock mechanisms). To determine whether your firearm has a bolt-lock mechanism and is subject to the safety modification program, “click” on the model listed below and follow the directions included.
The unloading process for most bolt-action firearms with a bolt-lock mechanism cannot begin unless the manual safety is placed in the ‘F” or “Off or Fire” position. If you participate in the program your firearm will be modified to eliminate the bolt-lock feature and you will be able to unload your firearm while the safety is kept in the “S” or “ On Safe” position. The operation of your firearm will not otherwise be affected.
Here are the basic program elements:
The firearms will be cleaned and inspected and the bolt lock mechanism will be removed for $20.00 plus shipping and handling. We will return the gun to you with a $20.00 rebate coupon good towards the purchase of any Remington brand safety product (eye protection, hearing protection, cable and trigger locks, gun cabinets and gun safes.)
Please click on the centerfire model listed below to obtain more information on the program for the specific model, as there are some differences in the program based on model type:
• Model 700 • Model 600 • Model 660 • Model 721 • Model 722 • Model XP-100 • Model 40-X
The following bolt-action centerfire firearms are not subject to the Safety Modification Program. Please click on the model for more information on the firearm.
• Model 700ML • Sportsman 78 • Model 788 • Model 725 • Model Seven • Model 710 • Model 30, 30 Express
If you have a bolt-action rifle with a bolt-lock mechanism, and you do not wish to have the lock removed, you must be sure to follow this IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: Be sure the rifle is pointing in a safe direction anytime you move the manual safety to the "F" or "Off or Fire" position. As soon as you have lifted the bolt, immediately put the manual safety back in the "S" or "On Safe" position and then continue the unloading process.
No, she and others who have had the safety fail DID NOT have their fingers on the trigger. The failure of the safety is well documeted in court by gunsmiths. You might also want to check out the post on the link I gave above by the SWAT team member who posted that they had 3 rifles inspected by Remington and cleared as okay, only to have 3 safety failures after they test fired them after receiving them back from Remington.
Granted, the mother should have had better muzzle control but Remington does bare some responsiblity for marketing a defective product and failing to correct the defect for over 50 years. If you need the court documentation, email Augustis in the link above. It will slap make you wonder what Remington was thinking.