Re: Remington accused of 700 series dangerous flaw
Very good link to an interesting blog I'll be returning to. This flywheel business is fascinating though electrical stuff makes this old carpenter's brain hurt!
I don't dispute the likelihood that the Remington Walker is not as evolved a design as other over ride triggers. I dispute the notion of malevolence imputed in the criticism of Remington.
I don't work for, am not related to, nor invested in any way to Remington beyond owning a couple 700s in addition to several other bolt guns of different manufacturers.
The point of my skepticism is to counter the "Eureka!!! It's another Tobacco Industry" theme of this 'Investigation'.
What I am seeing so far is, at most, a stubborn corporate culture reluctant to make a change based upon a dispute over what constitutes a minimum acceptable rate of defect.
It is entirely simplistic to suggest that zero defects should be the primary goal of manufacturing any product, even a firearm. (Though I'm not implying that you are saying this John). Further it can be shown that the trigger can in fact be tested for the presence of dirt, abuse, maladjustment, or defective manufacture that can give rise to the failure to which this trigger system is allegedly prone.
From the article you linked:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Practical gunsmith’s test of the Remington-Walker trigger—
Over the decades, standardized tests of Remington-Walker triggers have been developed to show a trigger that is prone to repeatable failures. These tests are simple, non destructive and can be very useful in identifying triggers that are demonstrably bad. It must be kept in mind that just because a trigger passes these test does NOT mean it’s safe. As seen by the design, the defect is inherently present in the trigger. It just doesn’t always fail. The shooter has no way of knowing when that failure might occur.
“Tricking” a trigger is done by carefully placing the safety lever in the ‘null’ position between fire and safe. Some guns won’t perch there, some will. With the safety perched between detents, pull the trigger and release very slowly. Pay careful attention to a tiny ‘click’ as the trigger is pulled. If it’s there, the gun will likely fire when the safe is pushed to OFF. Try that test several times and flip the safe off after each careful pull. Tricking is a way to determine if the lift of the safety cam is enough to clear the top of the connector in half-way position.
“Screw driver Test” is done with the gun cocked and ON safe. Push against the bottom of the connector, seen just in front of the bolt release leaf, with a screwdriver or punch and then push the safety to OFF. If the connector is sloppy on the trigger it will over ride the front of the sear so that the sear has no support when the safety is released. Guns that fail this test can sometimes fire on safety release after suffering common vibrations in a vehicle or on horseback.
“Sear lift test” assures the safety cam raises the sear high enough to not drag on the connector when on safe. Place the rifle safety ON and pull the trigger several times and release it slowly. If the connector drags on the bottom of the sear it can’t get back under the sear to catch it as the safety is flipped OFF.
Guns that have been dropped while on safe can develop this failure by denting the safety cam. </div></div>
In the absence of a memo(of a smoking gun nature) or other damning proof showing that Remington knowingly placed a dangerous product into the market based solely on arrogance, indifference, the savings of 12 cents per unit or any other reason that could be successfully argued to go beyond the realm of the typical arcana frequently disputed by brainiack Engineers everywhere, every day, over any matter of engineering, I will wait to conclude that remington has perpetrated a civil wrong.
Until then I will gladly take your 700s off your hands for the princely sum of $85.00 each.
For the children!
