Remington 700 Bolt Lock

[Canuck65]

I have a newer 700 AWR, and I’m wondering if there’s a product out there that will restore the bolt lock feature that the older models had. I don’t really want to get into milling the bolt and converting it to a 3-position safety, but I suppose I’d be open to that if it’s the only option.

If it has to be a 3-pos safety kit, can anyone recommend a smith to do this work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[guntech]

Possibly you could find an older trigger with the bolt locking safety and then mill your action and your bolt to accept it...

But why bother? Is being able to lock your bolt shut by engaging your safety really that important? Maybe buy a Browning X Bolt...?

 

[257Wby]

Is this what you are looking for…..a competent Gun Smith should have no problem installing the kit .


Big horn machine deals with Pacific tool and gauge

 

[Canuck65]

Possibly you could find an older trigger with the bolt locking safety and then mill your action and your bolt to accept it...

But why bother? Is being able to lock your bolt shut by engaging your safety really that important? Maybe buy a Browning X Bolt...?

It is important to me. More than once, I've snagged the bolt handle while carrying the rifle on a shoulder sling. I normally use Winnies. I bought this Remington as a cheap, weatherproof rifle to use in the rain. I have had other Remingtons in the past, but they were all vintage models. When I bought this Remington, I didn;t realize that they'd eliminated that feature. If I had known, I never would have bought it.

It's a good, sturdy, well-balanced, and accurate rifle, but every hunting rifle should have the ability to lock the bolt down. What a stupid idea to get rid of that feature.

257Wby, I've see the Gentry safeties, but for the cost, I'd likely just sell the rifle and buy a Winchester All Weather, or a Sako, or a Tikka, etc. to replace it.

Thanks for the replies. I've been thinking, maybe I'll just put a heavier firing pin spring in it to stiffen up the bolt lift, and see how it goes.

 

[fade2black]

It is important to me. More than once, I've snagged the bolt handle while carrying the rifle on a shoulder sling. I normally use Winnies. I bought this Remington as a cheap, weatherproof rifle to use in the rain. I have had other Remingtons in the past, but they were all vintage models. When I bought this Remington, I didn;t realize that they'd eliminated that feature. If I had known, I never would have bought it.

It's a good, sturdy, well-balanced, and accurate rifle, but every hunting rifle should have the ability to lock the bolt down. What a stupid idea to get rid of that feature.

257Wby, I've see the Gentry safeties, but for the cost, I'd likely just sell the rifle and buy a Winchester All Weather, or a Sako, or a Tikka, etc. to replace it.

Thanks for the replies. I've been thinking, maybe I'll just put a heavier firing pin spring in it to stiffen up the bolt lift, and see how it goes.

I also prefer a safety that locks the bolt or a 3 position. However, I'm not sure I understand your last sentence. If the Rem 700 cocks on open, the firing pin is already cocked assuming your hunting with a live round in the chamber. Adding a stronger spring would only affect the force needed to lift the bolt after a round is fired. Snagging a bolt on your gear with a round in the chamber would still cause your bolt to lift I would think.

 

[guntech]

It is important to me. More than once, I've snagged the bolt handle while carrying the rifle on a shoulder sling. I normally use Winnies. I bought this Remington as a cheap, weatherproof rifle to use in the rain. I have had other Remingtons in the past, but they were all vintage models. When I bought this Remington, I didn;t realize that they'd eliminated that feature. If I had known, I never would have bought it.

It's a good, sturdy, well-balanced, and accurate rifle, but every hunting rifle should have the ability to lock the bolt down. What a stupid idea to get rid of that feature.

257Wby, I've see the Gentry safeties, but for the cost, I'd likely just sell the rifle and buy a Winchester All Weather, or a Sako, or a Tikka, etc. to replace it.

Thanks for the replies. I've been thinking, maybe I'll just put a heavier firing pin spring in it to stiffen up the bolt lift, and see how it goes.

Carry the chamber empty and the firing pin released... it's fairly hard to open now... you would really work at a 'snag' to open it... a heavier spring will do nothing different on a bolt that is cocked.

Remington recalled all the locking the bolt safeties because they were sued... it was deemed to be an unsafe procedure to have to disengage the safety in order to remove a loaded round from the chamber... thank the lawyers for that.

I have never handled a rifle when a round is chambered in a fashion where the bolt could get snagged, where a safety could get released, where a trigger could be snagged...

 

[Canuck65]

Ya, that's what I meant. Maybe I'll try to stop carrying it with a round in the chamber. The bolt lift is much stiffer obviously when it's uncocked.

And, ya, I know Remington had issues with the old actions, but honestly, they did what Remington's always done - fixed the issue in the cheapest, most poorly thought-out way possible. They could have fixed it without losing the bolt lock feature, but they found yet another way to save a buck on production.

Anyway, thanks again for the replies - it is what it is - I'll learn to live with it or I'll install a 3-position safety, or I'll sell it to someone who doesn't mind not having that feature.

 

[DANS40X]

OP,
Simple procedure to install a bolt lock safety on a Remington.
Mill the receiver for safety clearance.
Mill the slot in the bolt body.
Install the safety lever.

FYI-
A 3 position safety on a Remington does NOT function like a Mauser or Winny, since a Rem is #### on open & #### on closed.
Meaning, the Rem variety blocks the firing pin....only when cocked...& does NOT disconnect the sear or trigger.

 

[guntech]

FYI-
A 3 position safety on a Remington does NOT function like a Mauser or Winny, since a Rem is #### on open & #### on closed.
Meaning, the Rem variety blocks the firing pin....only when cocked...& does NOT disconnect the sear or trigger.

According to Gentry the trigger is disengaged when the safety is engaged... what does disengaged mean if it doesn't mean the cocking piece is lifted off the trigger sear?

That's what happens with a 98 or Winchester 3 position safety and that's what happens with a 2 position 700 safety.

Non of the safeties will engage in the fired position.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I have never handled a rifle when a round is chambered in a fashion where the bolt could get snagged, where a safety could get released, where a trigger could be snagged...[/QUOTE]

Try moose hunting in thick willows!
I really like hunting with my TC Encore for this reason.
Totally impossible to have an Accidental with it, as long as you carry it with the hammer down.
With a bolt gun, I keep it empty if I'm with others.
Hunting solo, moving quietly through the bush, absolutely keep one in the chamber. The noise of racking an action will spook pretty much anything. I even work over my safeties to be as quiet as possible disengaging.

 

[guntech]

I would not have it over my shoulder and dragged through thick willows... it would be in my hands...

A few years ago an RCMP was crawling though thick brush with the loaded rifle on a sling... the safety got disengaged and the trigger got snagged...

 

[DANS40X]

According to Gentry the trigger is disengaged when the safety is engaged... what does disengaged mean if it doesn't mean the cocking piece is lifted off the trigger sear?

That's what happens with a 98 or Winchester 3 position safety and that's what happens with a 2 position 700 safety.

Non of the safeties will engage in the fired position.

guntech-
It's been 15yrs since I've touched/installed a Gentry on a Remington.

The PT&G is of Ed La Pour design.
Since a Remington is NOT of military design or function.
Lifting the bolt handle out of Battery-the firing pin is #### on Open.
The LaPour/PT&G safety is NOT capable of locking the firing pin w/ the bolt out of Battery,since the Remington is #### on Open & #### on Close.(unless striker to sear Hand Off is properly accomplished)
Once the bolt is rotated into Battery the LaPour/PT&G safety will lock the firing pin(mid position) & lock the bolt rotation(rear position),IF a c/bore is machined for that option.
The LaPour/PT&G safety does NOT disconnect the trigger or Sear/Safety Bar in the trigger group.

If one decides on the LaPour/PT&G safety-
Order the PT&G 45degree striker for the unit.
Do NOT use the OEM Rem striker/cocking piece or issues will ensue....quickly.
Using the standard striker/cocking piece the 3/32"(.093") cross pin will be machined basically out of the equation from milling the striker/firing pin shank.
Once the unit is assembled,it can NOT be disassembled, unless one machines thru holes in the assy prior to assembly.

 

[Canuck65]

Guntech, thanks for the reply. I hear you, but I do hunt with a round chambered and safety engaged. That’s why I posted this thread in the first place, because I would like the bolt to lock closed. Hunting up here in NW Ontario means stalking in thick brush (which means you need your hands and have to carry the rifle on a sling) and it requires being ready when you stumble onto an animal. There’s no time for fumbling about chambering a round. Now, I might try that and see, but it’s not ideal for me.

DANS40X - awesome info in your post above. Thank you for that.

Anyways, thanks again for the replies. I think it’s time to let this thread fade away.

Cheers