Still Having Issues with Your Remington 700 Trigger?
If you own a Model 700 you have undoubtedly heard of the 2014 court ordered recalls, but did you know your NEW trigger may still present a hazard? Let us help you decide if a new trigger should be installed before using your rifle again.
Past Issues
The Remington Model 700 is an iconic firearm, often regarded as one of the finest American rifles ever produced. Countless sportsmen have used the Model 700 to take their first trophy and they have been handed down to younger generations for decades. But it has not been without problems. Let’s take a quick look at some of the past issues:
2010 – CNBC, following a lengthy investigation, reported numerous incidents of Model 700s discharging without the trigger being touched. Their report further claimed that Remington had known about the potential safety hazard for many years but chose to withhold this information from owners or redesign the firing mechanism.
2014 – A class action settlement required Remington to replace, free of charge, the firing mechanism in thousands of Model 700’s as well as numerous other models that use the same system. Although the original plan was to retrofit these firearms with the new XMarkPro trigger assembly, a second model 700 recall was soon issued following reports of this trigger system malfunctioning as well. Although Remington blamed the XMarkPro’s early problem on “excessive bonding agent”, and claimed the issue had been addressed, they continued to retrofit older models with this trigger system.
2020 – With the 2014 class action suit coming to an end, CNBC reported that not only had a smaller than expected number of owners taken advantage of the retrofitting, but, that even those firearms that had been repaired may not be completely safe. CNBC’s latest investigation claimed to have uncovered multiple incidents of Model 700 rifles discharging even after having the XMarkPro installed. Although neither Remington nor the legal teams overseeing the class action suit settlement could confirm these reports, it does raise continued concerns for owners.
What Firearms Are Involved
Obviously, if you own a Model 700 there is reason to be concerned. Although the original 1948 trigger design is of the greatest concern, even the XMarkPro appears to present a potential safety issue. But this is not the only Remington firearm subject to potential unintentional discharge. The original 2014 class action identified the following models:
- Model 7
- Sportsmen Model 78, 673, 710, 745, 770, 600, 660, 721, 722, 725
- XP-100 bolt action pistol
What Should You Do
If you own a Model 700, or any of the other models identified, there is the possibility the firearm will discharge without the trigger being touched. You should not use the firearm until it is inspected, and if necessary, repaired by a qualified professional.
Although the original deadline for free retrofitting was April 2021 many of the authorized service centers were closed due to Covid. Neither Remington nor the legal team overseeing the class action suit have clarified how this may impact the deadline. This link will allow you to contact the Remington customer service department, arrange for repairs, and inquire about potential costs.
For reference, here is the original recall link.
Given the continued reports of malfunctions, including those involving both firearms that were already repaired or manufactured with the XMarkPro trigger system, some owners may be reluctant to send their firearm to Remington for repair.
The alternative is the installation of an aftermarket trigger system. Luckily, there are several to choose from.
Due to the popularity of the Model 700 many gun part manufacturers provide suitable replacements Rifle Basix carries an aftermarket trigger for the Model 700. Depending on which rifle you possess, accessories installed, and date of manufacture you will need either a trigger or trigger replacement kit. In either case this simple repair will allow you to continue to use what many believe is one of the finest American rifles ever produced. More importantly, it will allow you to use it and potentially hand it down to future generations without fear of injury to those you love.
While you could simply retire your Model 700 to the gun safe or trade it to a local gun shop, this does not address the problem. It only makes it someone else’s problem. At some point that rifle will end up in someone’s hands and potentially be used again. This is why everyone who owns one of the rifles mentioned above, needs to have it inspected and repaired immediately.
