Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters It finally happened to me - Remington Safety Issue

Are rifles with the X-mark trigger having issues also or only the older style trigger?

I always hunt with a cold rifle. As Jorge notes, I am sure when head out for buffalo next year I will be asked to carry hot.

When I was asked to swap four Remington triggers to Timney triggers a few years ago, all of the triggers to be removed were X Mark triggers. The owner of the rifles said they, according to Remington, were all under the replacement program that was new and effect at that time. These 4 triggers were not all the same but were called X Mark triggers. Two had no external adjustments,(meaning having to take barreled action out of the stock), and the other two had external adjustments using a Remington provided allen wrench. One of those had a hole in the trigger guard and came with a wrench with a green handle. The other had no hole in the trigger guard and had a regular looking allen wrench. I am not sure, but my guess is that there must have been another model after I replaced those four.
I have no idea what the current X Mark trigger looks like, but I assume it is almost "lawyer proof".
If I had a bunch of the pre X Mark triggers, I could make some decent money on them! They are also safe if taken care of and used properly.
Ken

I DON'T imply by any means that others have NOT encountered trigger problems. It's just I haven't.


Jerry

Just do an internet search for 700 triggers and litigation. IT's there and it's real. Now do one fro Model 70, Ruger, Savage, etc.

HINT: there aren't any.

Damn! That comment just gave me a case of the schits!!

I hunt cold chamber quite a bit..several things make it a necessity, in my opinion. One is rough country, another is needing to sling the rifle, and the third is hunting in close proximity to other people. More than once I've had someone with a hot chambered rifle slung over their shoulder manage to point the rifle close enough me to make me nervous. I can bolt a cartridge in pretty quickly. When I use a lever action it is almost instantaneous. I do hunt hot chamber if I am putting the sneak on a deer I've previously seen, or when I'm on a stand. I even bird hunt cold chamber a lot...with a pump action it's easy. Just drop the hammer on an empty chamber with the shotgun pointing safely away from anything you don't want to shoot, and then while bringing the shotgun up, work the action. It's pretty fast! Has being cold chamber cost me a deer or a bird? Probably...but it's worth it in my opinion. One of my former hunting buddies used to carry hot chamber in the vehicle...we're still friends but we don't hunt together anymore.

I don't know if it matters but Remington designed and built the Walker triggers. The XMP triggers are sourced from an outside vender and Remington did NOT design them. This of course does not let Remington off the hook...if anything it makes for one more area where quality control is out of their hands. Ive heard tell that they have also outsourced all wood stocks.

To the OP, I see you haven't responded back on here. IF your trigger is eligible, call Remington. They will let you send them JUST the trigger if you want. I have done this twice. The new triggers are also adjustable but most folks don't use common sense when doing so.

As to the new topic; hunting with a cold chamber, hunting in Alaska is no different than hunting anywhere else for the most part- safe is safe.

If you are hunting with ANYONE else, an empty chamber is a good practice. If you are creeping through thick timber expecting to jump something, an empty chamber is a huge handicap. I keep my chamber empty most of the time. I'll chamber a round when I sit down to make a stand (varmint calling, elk calling etc). I'll keep it loaded when still hunting thick stuff and the rifle is IN MY HANDS. When I am hunting with anyone else. I keep my chamber empty until time to shoot and expect the same from them or won't hunt with them.

When I get a new 700 in to work on, I typically remove the trigger and throw it in the ultrasonic tank. I think inspect it with an eye loupe thoroughly. After that, I clean with solvent, dry and lube properly. I reinstall and make sure it is adjusted to be safe. I won't set them too low even if someone insists. I make them buy a Shilen or Timney if they want a 2# trigger.

There are several variations of the Walker trigger, beginning with the M721, the X Mark which lasted only a couple years, and the externally adjustable X Mark Pro.

Most folks can't tell you what trigger they have on their Rem centerfires.

Casey

if my son was going to use this rifle I would have the trigger replaced with something else that blocks the sear just for my own sanity, you can buy timneys for around $100.00 dollars and that is cheap insurance and peace of mind when it comes to my children

Could be because there are darn near as many 700's as all the others you mentioned combined.

It's a numbers game Jorge.

Casey

^ This

I've had the same experience with a Rem trigger. Same deal. Twice or three times in a row it dropped the hammer when the safety was moved to the off position. Near brand new 700. Never messed with the trigger at all.

Chamber was empty.

Hasn't done it since.

Walker recognized that not long after he invented it.
Walker wanted to change it.
Would have cost Rem. .02 per trigger and the company said no.
The original floating connector trigger when built and adjusted to Walkers specs.
Worked.
What Rem. did after Walker retired.
ie... chit machine work..
And what every half assed dickfaced smith has adjusted.
Is where the problem comes from.

dave

I'm convinced that's why the old M70 trigger was discontinued.

No problems like a Walker and it was very reliable; but it could be too easily adjusted too much,and that leads to too many potential problems from a liability standpoint.

I recommend and install Timney triggers to all my Remington customers. Maybe Remington should consider a striker safety such as used by Winchester and Weatherby. Just sayin.

Not really. There are NONE for the other rifles. The WHOLE Remington 700 was designed to cut costs and increase production-PERIOD. From the bolt handle, sheet metal extractor, no-locking bolt safety, etc. There is a reason as to why there is an entire Cottage Industry built around "improving" 700s. Yes part of it is a numbers game but most is to improve factory shortcomings.

My dad built quite a few rifles with military Mauser actions and always used a Timney trigger in them. I have only 1 700, a newer XCR that came with the Mark X Pro trigger. When I found out about the recall, rather than send in the whole rifle and wait 6 months to get it back (in who knows what condition), I simply ordered a replacement Timney. They may not be the best for benchrest and target rifles, but they can't be beat for a hunting trigger. I will say that the 700 trigger was MUCH more expensive than the Mauser trigger....

I think Timney is the way to go, for sure. I have one 700 with the old trigger. I had a problem with it once and determined that it was full of old grease and dirt. I have never had a problem since.