Can anybody tell me what year Remington went to the "new style" safety on M700's that locks the bolt.

Thanks,
Casey

Not absolutely positive, but believe it was '83 or '84.

MM

That is what I was thinking. My older locking bolt M700's are the other side of the mountain, and the only rifle I have on this side is a 2003 vintage. I am trying to remember if the older bolt has a slot cut in it for the tab that blocks the bolt. I know the recievers have a slot cut to accomadate the tab, but I can't visualize the bolt.

Thanks,

Casey

My question is , is there anybody out there who can convert a nonlocking bolt [newer style], to the old locking bolt style that Rem. originally designed without doing that 3 position safety on the back of the bolt like the ones on the Mdl.70. I've examined both the older and newer 700's and it looks like you have to make a notch under the bolt handle but I'd sure like to find someone who could make that conversion. After that it would be easy, just replace the safety to the old style with that swing up arm which keeps the bolt from rotating.

That's where I'm going with this. I just bought 3 old style safety levers from a old-timer gunsmith. I don't have my older rifles to compare with my newer ones, I'm on the wrong side of the mountain this week. And for the life of me I can't visualize the bottom of the old style bolts.

Are you saying the older, locking, bolts have a slot for the tab that locks the bolt? I know the old style rilfes have a slot in the receiver/action to accomadate the tab, just don't know about the bolts themselves.

Casey

The old style bolts have a slot right underneath the bolt handle that the safety tab fits into, locking the bolt. Actually, 700 bolts retained this slot up until 2000 or so, so all you would need is either an old safety or a NULA safety. Mel Forbes will cut the slot on newer Rems if you decide to go with his safety.

Thanks for that info. jonz on Forbes, I, like Alpinecrick have been wanting to do that same change for quite some time now on the newer 700's

1982.
Before that if one owned an ADL model you had to put it in fire mode to work the bolt to empty the bullets.
Not a very good idea.
And even though the BDL's had the drop open magazine you still again had to put the rifle in fire mode to eject the hot round in the tube.
Frankly i am glad they changed the design for pure safety sakes.

You don't have to completely work the bolt on an ADL to empty the magazine, just push each round far enough forward so that it is released from the feed lips, you can do this either with the bolt or even your fingers. Taking the safety off to work the bolt is also required for Browning A-bolts, Tikkas, and Sakos. I've never had a problem making sure a hot rifle is pointed in a safe direction, particularly so when I am taking the safety off. I prefer a bolt locking safety not so much for when the rifle is loaded, but when it is slung and I'm moving through thick cover, this prevents the bolt from opening when it catches on branches. Another alternative that I use often use, especially on newer Remingtons, is that when the rifle is slung, it is uncocked on an empty chamber. The extra force that would be required to open the uncocked bolt makes it stay put.

Mel Forbes' NULA safety has a third position, where you push the safety down while in the safe mode to release the bolt, so that you can unload while still on safe.

1982?--geez, I didn't realize it was that long ago

I have everything from first year production M700's with the 20in barrels and flat tab safety levers, first year production BDL in 7RM, ADL's, BDL's, Classic's, Mtn Rifle's, SS's, and Wal-Mart Special synthetic/matte rigs. I prefer the locking bolt, I've seen my hunters with the bolt hanging open a couple times, and I've found my bolt lifted once or twice when I used to carry with a traditional sling.

Because I almost exclusively use a Safari Sling since the mid 90's where the rifle is in front of me all the time, it makes it even easier to constantly check the safety and bolt--and I believe the Safari Sling makes it easier to be "safe" when packing a rifle.

Thanks guys, I 'preciate the knowledge,

Casey