Intermittent problem with Remington 700

[Breacher]

Please excuse my ignorance on some of the nomenclature of the rifle. I recently when through a basic sniper course for my department with one of our issued Remington 700's in .308. The rifle was one of the police packages that included the Luepold 3.5x10 and pelican case.
Anyway, every once in a awhile the rifle will not fire. This can happen at any time during a range session. It acts as if the safety is engaged and does not allow the trigger to move to the rear. If I raise the bolt handle and slowly bring the bolt to the rear approximately 1"-1.5" and then forcefully slam the bolt forward rechambering the round it will now fire. I would say that this happens about 3-4% of the time. Has anybody ever had the same issue or know what might be causing this? Thanks for any help or guidance with this matter, Josh.

 

[tackleberry2000]

How many rounds on the rifle? You may need to have the trigger replaced.

 

[Niles Coyote]

I agree with the above. Something is not correct with the trigger or the trigger/firing pin engagement, but my money is on the trigger alone. You may try giving the trigger a good cleaning/flushing first.

 

[leadbullet]

Trigger needs a good cleaning, take the action out of the stock and go at it, if that doesn't solve the problem, a new trigger is needed.

 

[Breacher]

Unknown round count before I got it. I've put a little over 800 through it. I'm going to look it over tonight. I've got my monthly qual tomorrow.

 

[fdkay]

Not sure I would take it out of the stock before the qual without checking zero first.

Go to the store and buy a bottle of lighter fluid. Remove action from stock rinse liberally with lighter fluid, wipe down and lube with light oil

 

[TheJ]

Yep, sounds like it isn't resetting. Probably trigger, but could be a small change that it is sear or bolt/pin as well.

 

[mark5pt56]

Unknown round count before I got it. I've put a little over 800 through it. I'm going to look it over tonight. I've got my monthly qual tomorrow.

Breacher-not on you-but every issued rifle should have a data book which includes round count and maintenance record. You never know when that will be part of a bag with an evidence tag. And when it comes to the 700, make sure there's a qualified smith doing the work and with paperwork, especially on triggers.

 

[JGorski]

Go to Fleet Farm and get some of this Dupont Teflon penetrant and spray the trigger assembly with it, it should help get whatever is not supposed to be in there out, plus lubricate the assembly. Dont really have to take the stock off.
DuPont? Teflon® Penetrant

 

[mjh30]

Breacher the rifle is a liability, turn it in to your Dept armorer asap, I wouldn't even try to speculate whats wrong with it. The fact that the rifle doesn't even have a log book, tells me something right there.

 

[Gruffy]

Breacher the rifle is a liability, turn it in to your Dept armorer asap, I wouldn't even try to speculate whats wrong with it.

This is sound judgement.

 

[selfbowhunter]

Sounds like the sear isnt resetting. Could be crud in the trigger or that its out of adjustment. Either ways its an easy fix.

 

[Breacher]

Well my department does not currently have a Rem 700 Armorer. The next class around me isn't until November. My Captain talked to one if the Armorers at another department about the rifle. The Armorer basically said the rifle needed to go back to Remington. Our Dept rifles sat idle for a few years and much of the gear and documents disappeared. I started a log book when I got the rifle. On a side note, I shot 50 rounds through it today without a malfunction.

 

[Breacher]

Sorry for the late update. Had the rifle looked at finally and it appeared to have had WD40 or the likes used as lube around the trigger assembly. It was all gummed up. After a good cleaning and lube it appears to functioning perfectly now. On a side note the heavy triggers have been properly adjusted from 6 lbs down to 3 lbs.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Sorry for the late update. Had the rifle looked at finally and it appeared to have had WD40 or the likes used as lube around the trigger assembly. It was all gummed up. After a good cleaning and lube it appears to functioning perfectly now. On a side note the heavy triggers have been properly adjusted from 6 lbs down to 3 lbs.

That will do it? What did you use to clean it? Butane lighter fluid followed with some light compressed air down from the top is the best was to do it. It will clean the crap out and leave a bit of a dry lube that doesn't attract much crap. CLP works too but will attract stuff. On a issue rifle you have to depend on I'd be cleaning the trigger every few months at the most, if you have a dusty range session the trigger should be cleaned after that as well.

 

[Thud]

Probally not WD40. Rifle probally cleaned without a bore guide put up wet and "clean" solvent dripped back into action and trigger area. Sat and gummed up.
Get a bore guide and use it when cleaning, store rifle muzzle down so solvent goes to muzzle area, use ligghter fluid and NEVER any oil in trigger will attract dirt. Just the lighter fluid.
Push a patch before taking to field to clear barrel of any residue.

 

[Pahntr760]

Probally not WD40. Rifle probally cleaned without a bore guide put up wet and "clean" solvent dripped back into action and trigger area. Sat and gummed up.
Get a bore guide and use it when cleaning, store rifle muzzle down so solvent goes to muzzle area, use ligghter fluid and NEVER any oil in trigger will attract dirt. Just the lighter fluid.
Push a patch before taking to field to clear barrel of any residue.

This!

 

[Breacher]

So use butane lighter fluid for the trigger assembly only and use a bore guide to clean the barrel correct? I use Fireclean on the bore and Shafer's synthetic grease on the bolt contact/friction points. Thank you guys for the info!