View source for Remington Model 700

{{redirect|M700|the range of computers|Ferranti Argus#M700}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Remington 700
| image              = Remington Model 700.JPG
| caption            = Remington Model 700 ADL with Leupold scope and Harris bipod.
| type               = [[Bolt action]] [[rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->| service            = <!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Mike Walker (engineer)|Mike Walker]]
| length             = {{convert|41.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| action             = [[Bolt action]], [[rotating bolt]] with 2 lugs
| image_size         = 
| origin             = United States
| is_ranged          = yes
<!-- Service history -->| used_by            = See [[#Users|Users]]
| wars               = [[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Nicaraguan Revolution]]
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = [[Remington Arms]]
| production_date    = 1962–present
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{convert|8.99|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = {{Convert abbreviated|16.5|to|26|in}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = * [[6mm Remington]]
* [[6.5mm Creedmoor]]
* [[6.5×47mm Lapua]]
* [[7mm-08 Remington]]
* [[7mm Remington Magnum]]
* [[7mm Shooting Times Westerner]]
* [[8mm Remington Magnum]]
* [[8.6mm Blackout]]
* [[.17 Remington Fireball]]
* [[.220 Swift]]
* [[.221 Remington Fireball]]
* [[.222 Remington]]
* [[.223 Remington]]
* [[.22-250 Remington]]
* [[.243 Winchester]]
* [[.25-06 Remington]]
* [[.257 Roberts]]
* [[.257 Weatherby Magnum]]
* [[.260 Remington]]
* [[.270 Winchester]]
* [[.280 Remington]]
* [[.30-06 Springfield]]
* [[.300 Remington Ultra Magnum]]
* [[.300 Weatherby Magnum]]
* [[.300 Winchester Magnum]]
* [[.300 Winchester Short Magnum]]
* [[.308 Winchester]]
* [[.338 Lapua Magnum]]
* [[.416 Remington Magnum]]
* [[.458 Winchester Magnum]]
| caliber            = 
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = 
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 3- to 6-round internal magazine or a detachable 10-round magazine
| sights             = [[Telescopic sight|Scope]], [[Rail integration system|Rail interface system]]
| number             = over 5 million
}}

The '''[[Remington Arms|Remington]] Model 700''' is part of a series of [[Bolt action|bolt-action]] (later [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] 7400 series) [[Centerfire ammunition|centerfire]] [[Rifle|rifles]] manufactured by [[Remington Arms]] since 1962. It is a progressive variant of the [[Remington Model 721]] and Model 722 rifles series, which was introduced in 1948. The [[M24 sniper weapon system|M24]] and [[M40 rifle|M40]] military [[Sniper rifle|sniper rifles]], which are both based on the Model 700 design, are in use by the [[United States Army]] and [[United States Marine Corps]], respectively.

The Remington 700 series rifles feature a 3, 4, or 5-round [[Magazine (firearms)#Box|internal magazine]] depending on the [[caliber]]. Some models include a hinged floor plate for quick unloading and can also be configured with a detachable [[Magazine (firearms)#Box|box magazine]]. The Model 700 is available in many different [[Stock (firearms)|stock]], [[Gun barrel|barrel]], and caliber combinations, with many third-party and aftermarket variants built on the same [[action (firearms)|action]] footprint. From 1978 to 1982, [[Remington Arms|Remington]] offered the Sportsman 78,<ref>{{cite web |title=Model 78 Sportsman |url=https://www.remarms.com/firearm-history/model-78-sportsman |website=remarms.com |publisher=[[Remington Arms]] |access-date=28 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401013608/https://www.remarms.com/firearm-history/model-78-sportsman |archive-date=1 April 2025 |language=en-us |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2025}} which had the same Model 700 action but with lower-cost features, such as a plain, non-knurled stock.

==Development==
After [[World War II]], [[Remington Arms]] engineer [[Mike Walker (engineer)|Merle "Mike" Walker]] designed lower-cost alternatives to the [[Remington Model 30|Model 30]], resulting in the [[Remington Model 721|Model 721]]. These used a cylindrical [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] produced from cylindrical [[bar stock]] that could be turned on a [[lathe]] rather than machined in a series of [[Milling (machining)|milling]] operations which significantly reduced production costs. Additionally, small metal parts, such as the [[bottom metal]], were [[Stamping (metalworking)|stamped]], and the stocks were finished to a lower standard than previous models. The Model 721 saw further development under the direction of Walker, which resulted in the Model 722, 725 and ultimately the Model 700 in 1962.<ref name="American Rifleman">{{cite news |author1=American Rifleman Staff |title=The Remington Model 700 Story |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-remington-model-700-story/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=[[American Rifleman]] |issue=ARTV News |publisher=National Rifle Association of America |date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124094200/https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-remington-model-700-story/ |archive-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>van Zwoll, pp. 55–58</ref><ref name="Guns & Ammo">{{cite news |author1=G&A Staff |title=Remington Timeline: 1962 - Remington Model 700 Bolt-Action Rifles |url=https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/remington-timeline-1962-remington-model-700-bolt-action-rifles/248392 |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=Guns&Ammo |publisher=Outdoor Sportsman Group |date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

Walker sought to increase the rifles' accuracy by utilizing tight tolerances in the chamber and bore, a short leade, and a much faster [[lock time]]. Like the earlier Model 721, the Model 700 was designed for mass production. Remington initially produced two variants of the Model 700, the ADL and BDL, in both long-action and short-action rifles that allowed for the chambering of different cartridges.  

In 1969, Remington introduced several upgrades to the rifle, including a more extended rear bolt shroud, a jeweled bolt, and improved stock finishing. Four years later, the production of left-handed versions of the rifle began to compete with the [[Savage Model 110]], the only primary rifle manufactured with a left-handed variant. Since then, various versions of the gun have been introduced, including the [[titanium]] receiver 700 Ti, the 700 SPS (which replaced the ADL in 2005), and the CDL. In addition to it being catered as a hunting rifle, the Model 700 also provided the basis for military and police [[sniper]] rifles, starting with the [[M40 rifle]] in 1966, which the U.S. Marine Corps initially ordered. The U.S. Army adopted the [[M24 sniper weapon system|M24 Sniper Weapon System]] in 1986.<ref>van Zwoll, pp. 58–60</ref>

===Design===
The Remington 700 is a [[Bolt action|manually operated bolt-action rifle]] with two forward dual-opposed lugs. The bolt face is recessed, fully enclosing the base of the [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]]. The [[Extractor (firearms)|extractor]] is a C-clip sitting within the bolt face. The ejector is a plunger on the bolt face actuated by a [[coil spring]]. The bolt is of three-piece construction (head, body, and bolt handle), brazed together. The receiver is milled from round cross-section steel.<ref name="Haas">de Haas, pp. 249–251</ref>

The Remington 700 is available in numerous variants. 

* The [[symmetry|symmetrical]] two-lug bolt body has a {{convert|.695|in|mm|2|abbr=on}} diameter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remington 700 Action Lengths |url=https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz/f15/remington-700-action-lengths-26531/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz}}</ref> 
* The long-action — designed for full-length cartridges up to {{convert|3.340|in|mm|2}} in overall length, such as the [[.30-06 Springfield]], and [[List of Magnum cartridges|magnum cartridges]], such as the [[7mm Remington Magnum]] and [[.300 Winchester Magnum]] — has a lock time of 3.0 to 3.2 [[millisecond]]s. 
* The short-action designed for cartridges having an overall length of {{convert|2.750|in|mm|2}} or less, such as the [[.308 Winchester]]/7.62×51mm NATO, has a lock time of 2.6 milliseconds.<ref>van Zwoll, p. 58</ref><ref name="wakeman">[http://www.chuckhawks.com/locktime.htm Locktime by Randy Wakeman]</ref>

The rifles are designed to accept different magazine configurations — a blind magazine without a floor-plate, a conventional magazine with a detachable floor-plate, and a detachable box magazine. There are standard consumer versions as well as versions designed for military and police use. Some variants also have [[bipod]]s, [[Sling (firearms)|sling]]s and other accessories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remington 700 Bipod {{!}} ON SALE |url=https://www.mountsplus.com/remington-700-bipods.html |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.mountsplus.com}}</ref>

===Standard versions===
[[File:Remington-700-SPS.jpg|thumb|Remington 700 SPS Varmint with Tasco scope]]
Remington produces the Mountain LSS model with a stainless steel barrel and laminated stock. Heavy barrel versions with laminated stocks like the Model 700 SPS Varmint are available for [[varmint hunting]]. The Model 700 ADL was replaced as the most economical Model 700 by the Model 700 SPS (Special Purpose Synthetic) in newer production.<ref>{{citation|work=Shooting Industry|edition=August 2006|author=Mark Kayser|title=Long-gun sales target trends: know the market and your customers for real success!|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3197/is_8_51/ai_n26977265/}}</ref>

Remington also produced a 700 ML ([[muzzleloader]]) rifle from 1996-2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Model 700 ML {{!}} Remington |url=https://www.remarms.com/firearm-history/model-700-ml |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.remarms.com}}</ref> 

The EtronX electronic primer ignition system was implemented in the Model 700 EtronX introduced in 2000, though this model was a commercial failure and ceased production in 2003 along with the EtronX primers.<ref>van Zwoll, p. 60</ref>

==={{anchor|700P}}Police version===
[[File:En Remmy 700pss.JPG|thumb|Remington Model 700P]]
Remington markets the 700 to military forces and civilian law-enforcement agencies under the "Remington Law Enforcement" and "Remington Military" banners, with the military/law enforcement 700s referred to as the Model 700P ("Police").<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remington M700 Police |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/999-Remington+M700+Police |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Weaponsystems.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Model 700 {{!}} Remington |url=https://www.remarms.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.remarms.com}}</ref>

The 700P series was influenced by the designs, features and success of the M24 Sniper Weapon System and the [[M40 rifle|M40]] series; for instance, the Model 700P series features a heavier and thicker [[Gun barrel|barrel]] for increased accuracy and reduced recoil.<ref name="700P heavy barrel">{{cite web |title=Remington M700 Police |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/999-Remington+M700+Police |website=Weaponsystems.net |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Heavier barrel reduces recoil">{{cite web |title=How to Reduce Gun Recoil |url=https://savagearms.com/blog/post/how-to-reduce-gun-recoil |website=Savage Arms |publisher=© Savage Arms, Inc. |access-date=16 April 2025 |date=30 January 2024}}</ref> 

The rifle is chambered for the [[.308 Winchester]] cartridge as well as the [[.223 Remington]], [[.243 Winchester]], [[7mm Remington Magnum]], [[.300 Winchester Magnum]], [[.300 Remington Ultra Magnum]] and [[.338 Lapua Magnum]]. The 700P has a 26" barrel and aluminum block bedding in its stock made by HS Precision.

Remington also sells the standard U.S. Army-issue [[Leupold & Stevens|Leupold]] Mark IV M3 10x40mm telescopic sight used by the Army's M24 as an optional feature.

Remington offers similarly styled, less expensive versions under the Special Purpose Synthetic (SPS) name.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Model 700 {{!}} Remington |url=https://www.remarms.com/firearm-history/model-700-history |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.remarms.com}}</ref>

===Military version===
{{Main|M24 sniper weapon system|M40 rifle|M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle|}}
[[File:M24 Rifle (7414626896).jpg|thumb|[[M24 sniper weapon system|M24 SWS]] (right view)]]
Both the U.S. Army's M24 Sniper Weapon System and U.S. Marine Corps' [[M40 rifle|M40]] [[sniper rifle]]s are built from the Remington Model 700 rifle with different degrees of modification, the main difference being the custom fitted heavy contour barrel and action length. The M24 utilizes the long-action and the M40 employs the short-action bolt-face, as the M24 was originally intended to chamber the longer {{nobreak|[[.300 Winchester Magnum]]}} round. The M40, however, was not intended to chamber the more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum round, yet the Marine Corps' intention was to migrate to that cartridge. The Marine Corps' delay led to a change in the migratory direction. The goal was for the M40 to become a rifle chambered in [[.338 Lapua Magnum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=M24 Sniper Rifle|url=http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89050/m24-sniper-rifle.html|work=Military.com|access-date=August 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115230420/http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89050/m24-sniper-rifle.html|archive-date=November 15, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

[[File:XM2010 November 2010.jpg|thumb|The U.S. Army M2010 rifle (right view)]]
The United States Army's Joint Munitions and Lethality Contracting Center awarded Remington a [[Fixed-price contract|Firm Fixed Price]] (FFP) [[IDIQ|Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity]] (IDIQ) contract (W15QKN-10-R-0403) for the upgrade of up to 3,600 M24 Sniper Weapon Systems (SWS) fielded to the Army, pending type classification as the “M24E1”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remington Awarded Army Contract to Reconfigure Sniper Rifle {{!}} SGB Media Online |url=https://sgbonline.com/remington-awarded-army-contract-to-reconfigure-sniper-rifle/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=sgbonline.com}}</ref> The major configuration change for this system was the caliber conversion from 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) to .300 Winchester Magnum to provide soldiers with additional precision engagement capability and range. The contract was for a five-year period with a guaranteed minimum value of $192K and a potential value of up to $28.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=d8eda556a355a6f658499e4aabd4108a&tab=core&_cview=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324062420/https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=d8eda556a355a6f658499e4aabd4108a&tab=core&_cview=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2012|title=10--M24 Sniper Weapon System Reconfiguration}}</ref> This award followed a full and open competitive evaluation lasting nine months, which began with the release of the Army's [[Request for proposal|Request for Proposal]] (RFP) on January&nbsp;13, 2010. The program was executed under the authority of Project Manager Soldier Weapons, [[Picatinny Arsenal]], [[New Jersey]], and managed by its subordinate unit, Product Manager Individual Weapons.<ref name="M24 Sniper Contract">{{cite web |title=US Army Awards Remington Contract to Reconfigure M24 Sniper Weapon Systems® |url=https://www.theoutdoorwire.com/story/1285057113jjsxgeeqpxu |website=The Outdoor Wire |publisher=© Outdoor Wire Digital Network |access-date=16 April 2025 |date=21 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="M24 Sniper Contract Details">{{cite web |title=Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing |url=https://ndia.dtic.mil/wp-content/uploads/2011/smallarms/PM_Soldier_Weapons_NDIA.pdf |website=National Defense Industrial Association |publisher=United States Department of the Army |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>

In 2009, the U.S. Army changed the weapon name from M24E1 to [[M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle|XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.shottimes.net/2011/05/improved-carbines-headed-your-way-army.html|title=Improved carbines headed your way|author=Lance M. Bacon|date=April 30, 2011|work=Army Times}}<!-- original link is dead, url was http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/04/army-improved-carbines-heading-your-way-043011w/ -->{{dead link|date=December 2024}}</ref>

=== Model Seven version ===
The Remington Model Seven carbine is a compact version of the Remington 700 built around a short-action and chambered in the [[.223 Remington|.223 Rem]] and [[.308 Winchester|.308 Win]] class cartridges. Introduced in 1983, the stock is shorter than the standard version with the barrel being only 18.5".<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Remington Model Seven: A Faithful Family Friend |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/my-remington-model-seven-a-faithful-family-friend/ |website=www.americanrifleman.org}}</ref>

==Users==
[[File:Remington Model 700 Users.png|thumb|Map with Remington Model 700 users in blue]]<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
*{{flag|Australia}}: [[New South Wales Police Force]] [[State Protection Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/01/08/sydney-siege/|title=Sydney Siege - The Firearm Blog|date=January 8, 2015}}</ref>
*{{flag|Canada}}: [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://armyapp.forces.gc.ca/CAC/documents/general/DAOD_CF_SMALL_ARMS_C0.pdf |title=Canadian Forces Small Arms Competitions |access-date=2011-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706181944/http://armyapp.forces.gc.ca/CAC/documents/general/DAOD_CF_SMALL_ARMS_C0.pdf |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*{{flag|China}}: Remington 700 PSS used by [[People's Armed Police]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qbq.com.cn/a/bencandy.php?fid=73&id=861 |title=狙击手载誉归来 ——访国际军警狙击手射击锦标赛武警代表队 总教官王宝来 - 本刊专递 - QBQ-轻兵器 |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124105658/http://www.qbq.com.cn/a/bencandy.php?fid=73&id=861 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{flag|Indonesia}}: ''[[KOPASKA|Komando Pasukan Katak]]'' (Kopaska) tactical diver group and ''[[Kopassus|Komando Pasukan Khusus]]'' (Kopassus) special forces group.<ref name="idnvojnik">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/1612007/ind.asp |title=Kopassus & Kopaska – Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije |language=hr |publisher=Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine |access-date=June 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822145526/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/1612007/ind.asp |archive-date=August 22, 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>
*{{flag|Israel}}: [[Israel Police]] and [[Israel Defense Forces]] [[special forces]], replaced by [[Mauser#Mauser firearms after 1945|Mauser 86&nbsp;SR]] and [[M24 sniper weapon system|M24 SWS]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=isayeret.com {{!}} The Israeli Special Forces Database|url=https://isayeret.com/guides/weapons.shtml|access-date=2021-02-27|website=isayeret.com}}</ref>
*{{flag|Malaysia}}: [[Pasukan Gerakan Khas]] (PGK).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tactical-life.com/online/special-weapons/malaysian-special-forces |title=Malaysian Special Forces |author=Thompson, Leroy |date=December 2008 |publisher=Special Weapons |access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref>
*{{flag|Philippines}}: [[Philippine Marine Corps]] (PMC).<ref name="Archive">{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil.ph/digest.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111080029/http://www.navy.mil.ph/digest.html|archive-date=January 11, 2008|title=The Philippine Marine Corps Scout Sniper Program|access-date=May 22, 2009}}</ref>
*{{flag|Sierra Leone}}: [[Sierra Leone Police]]<ref>{{cite web|date=2013|title=World Infantry Weapons: Sierra Leone|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_sierraleone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203938/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_sierraleone|archive-date=24 November 2016}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=February 2021}}
*{{UKR}}: [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ukrainian Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=TAB |date=2022-04-17 |title=Savage Arms Rifles in Ukraine |url=https://armourersbench.com/2022/04/17/savage-arms-rifles-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=The Armourers Bench |language=en}}</ref>
*{{flag|United States}}: [[United States Border Patrol]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Krieger|first=Jim|title=Guns of the United States Border Patrol|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=35905|work=Human Events|access-date=September 2, 2010|date=March 9, 2010|archive-date=May 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507041220/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=35905|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[United States Marine Corps]], [[United States Navy]], [[United States Army]],<ref name="Senich88">{{cite book | last = Senich| first = Peter R.| title = Complete Book of U.S. Sniping| publisher = [[Paladin Press]]| year = 1988| location =Boulder, CO | page = 28| isbn = 978-1-58160-610-2 }}</ref> [[Cambridge Police Department (Massachusetts)]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=C|first=Luke|title=Cambridge Police Commissioner makes Plans to Reduce Gun Inventory|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/02/26/cambridge-reduce-weapon-inventory/|website=The Firearm Blog|date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>

==Controversy==
Thousands of Remington Model 700 customers have complained to Remington that a defect in the trigger mechanism could cause the gun to be fired without the trigger being squeezed.<ref name="cnbc20110808" /><ref name="cbs20170219" /> Remington received nearly 2,000 complaints from 2013 through 2016<ref name="cbs20170219" /> and 150 lawsuits had been filed against Remington alleging injury or death related to the trigger.<ref name="cbs20170219" /> Lawsuits have alleged that Remington covered up a design flaw in the trigger mechanism, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Is Remington getting too good a deal in rifle settlement? Judge wants to know |first=Scott |last=Cohn |date=February 14, 2017 |access-date=February 27, 2017 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/14/remington-getting-too-good-a-deal-in-rifle-settlement-judge-wants-to-know.html |publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref> A [[class action|class-action]] lawsuit alleges Remington knowingly sold a [[Product defect|defective product]].<ref name="cbs20170219" /> The [[Attorney general|Attorneys general]] from nine states and the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]] objected to the proposed settlement in the class action, saying that Remington has "long known" of the defect and that the proposed settlement "fails to adequately protect public safety."<ref>{{cite news |title=States join objections to Remington rifle settlement |first=Scott |last=Cohn |date=January 18, 2017 |access-date=February 27, 2017 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/17/states-join-objections-to-remington-rifle-settlement.html |publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref>

On October 20, 2010, [[CNBC]] televised the first in an ongoing investigative series, ''Remington Under Fire: a CNBC Investigation,'' reporting that the trigger mechanism used prior to 2007 on the Model 700 could fire without the trigger being squeezed. The report stated that Remington has received thousands of customer complaints since the firing mechanism was introduced in the 1940s and that nearly two dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries had been attributed to inadvertent discharges of 700 series rifles. Through internal Remington documents, the program showed that on multiple occasions the company considered recalling the product.

The inventor of the firing mechanism, [[Mike Walker (engineer)|Mike Walker]], 98 years old at the time of the documentary, told CNBC he proposed what he called a "safer trigger" back in 1948 while the product was still in the testing stage. Walker said his enhanced design was rejected because of the added cost, 5.5&nbsp;cents per gun (adjusted for inflation: ${{Inflation|US|0.055|1948|r=2}}).<ref name=cnbc20110808>{{cite web |last=Cohn |first=Scott |title=Remington Under Fire: A CNBC Investigation |url=https://www.cnbc.com/remington-under-fire/ |publisher=[[CNBC]] |access-date=August 8, 2011 |date=October 20, 2010}}</ref> Critics of the documentary countered that every incident featured on the program involving loss of life was the result of firearms mishandling, where owners pointed their rifles at other human beings.<ref>{{cite news|author=David E. Petzal |title=CNBC's Remington 700 Trigger Coverage A Clean Mis s |work=Field & Stream |url=http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2010/10/petzal-different-look-remington-model-700-trigger}}</ref> Remington responded with the Remington Model 700 Network, which gave direct rebuttals to the program, and their perspective on the incidents the program described.<ref name="pbp">{{cite web|url=http://www.remington700.tv/fileadmin/pdfs/point-by-point-response.pdf|title=remington700.tv|website=www.remington700.tv|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030124813/http://www.remington700.tv/fileadmin/pdfs/point-by-point-response.pdf|archive-date=October 30, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Remington dismisses the allegations, pointing out that in every case either trigger mechanisms of the rifles were adjusted or altered beyond recommended specifications,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3197/is_n5_v38/ai_13997890/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109151117/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3197/is_n5_v38/ai_13997890/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-01-09|title=Remington answers legal attacks|work=Shooting Industry|edition=May 1993}}</ref> with rifles being poorly maintained and left to rust, or due to the misuse of the rifles. Those involved admitted to police they might have "possibly" pulled the trigger.<ref name="pbp"/>

Though Remington has since changed to a new, cheaper, trigger mechanism design, the original Walker trigger is still produced for the [[U.S. military]] and buyers of custom rifles.<ref name="pbp"/>

On December 6, 2014, Remington announced that as a part of actions put into place to settle multiple lawsuits and to avoid future legal actions, they are replacing all triggers in the Model 700s.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/remington-agrees-replace-millions-allegedly-faulty-triggers "Remington agrees to replace millions of allegedly faulty triggers"], 12/06/14, Scott Cohn, MSNBC</ref> Over 7.85 million rifles were included in this agreement, making all of them eligible for replacements.

On February 19, 2017, [[CBS News]]' ''[[60 Minutes]]'' aired a segment on the Remington 700 trigger mechanism safety. The episode highlighted incidents of accidental deaths as a result of Remington 700s firing without the trigger being initiated, problems with Remington's trigger mechanism replacement program, and a class-action lawsuit filed by Remington owners.<ref name=cbs20170219>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/popular-remington-700-rifle-linked-to-potentially-deadly-defects/ |title=Popular Remington 700 rifle linked to potentially deadly defect |work=[[60 Minutes]] |agency=[[CBS News]] |date=February 19, 2017 |access-date=February 27, 2017 |first=Lesley |last=Stahl |author-link=Lesley Stahl}}</ref>

On October 23, 2018, the wrongful death class-action lawsuit originally filed in 2000 was settled for an undisclosed amount, however part of the settlement involved Remington agreeing to replace the trigger assembly on even more rifle models than previous recalls covered, the new agreement covers over 7.5 million rifles equipped with the X-Mark Pro trigger; besides the Model 700 the replacement agreement also includes replacements for the model Seven, Sportsman 78, 673, 710, 715, 770, 600, 660, 721, 722, 725, and the [[Remington XP-100|XP-100 bolt action pistol]].<ref name="KRTV original suit settled">{{cite news |author1=MTN News |title=Settlement in class-action lawsuit against Remington finalized |url=https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/2018/10/31/settlement-in-class-action-lawsuit-against-remington-finalized/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=KRTV News |publisher=© Scripps Media, Inc |date=31 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="Recall Models">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Remington settlement will offer replacements for recalled rifles |url=https://www.wral.com/story/remington-settlement-will-offer-replacements-for-recalled-rifles/17942305/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=WRAL News |issue=National News |publisher=© Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. |date=24 October 2018}}</ref> Owners of qualifying models had 18&nbsp;months to file for a free trigger replacement. Earlier that year Remington filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 Bankruptcy]] due the large amount of settlements from lawsuits, but by May of 2018 had been bailed out by their creditors, who took control of the company and by 2020 the company had shredded over $775&nbsp;million in debt. This was done by selling off various Remington assets, including selling the rights to the [[Marlin Firearms]] brand name, which was purchased by [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.|Ruger]] for $28.3 million.<ref name="KRTV original suit settled" /><ref name="Ruger buys Marlin">{{cite news |last1=Zent |first1=John |title=Marlin Reborn: Ruger Resurrects A Legend |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/marlin-reborn-ruger-resurrects-a-legend/ |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=[[American Rifleman]] |issue=Lever Action Rifle News |publisher=[[National Rifle Association]] |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> After Remington was bought out by its creditors in May of 2018, one (or more) of them anonymously sent over 80,000 pages of documents dating back more than five decades to the law firm and original plaintiff in the lawsuit, the documents revealed that Remington had known about the faulty trigger assembly as far back as the 1960's, and had settled its first lawsuit out-of-court regarding the issue over 50&nbsp;years ago. The documents showed that Remington actively covered up this fact, and settled dozens of lawsuits quitely out-of-court, getting the records sealed.<ref name="KRTV original suit settled" />

In April of 2020 [[CNBC]] News published a story featuring updates about the trigger replacements, and also reports on their investigation regarding claims of faulty replacement triggers. The deadline for the free trigger replacement was April 23, 2020, but the [[COVID-19]] shutdown created complications for Remington's offer to replace the triggers as the shutdown had caused many gunsmiths and repair shops nation wide to close. About a dozen people who had their rifle's triggers replaced claimed that they continued to experience malfunctions of the gun firing when the bolt was closed, or the safety being disengaged, without the trigger being pulled. Remington examined several of the rifles alleged to have malfunctioned after they were repaired, they confirmed that the guns had not been altered by the customers, but were unable to duplicate the reported malfunctions; the lead attorney for the plaintiffs stated he had not personally received any complaints of malfunctioning rifles after they were repaired.<ref name="Repair Malfunctions">{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Scott |title=Retail Gun owners say rifles still malfunction after Remington class-action settlement repairs |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/06/remington-trigger-problems-surface-as-class-action-settlement-deadline-nears.html |access-date=16 April 2025 |work=[[CNBC]] |issue=Retail |publisher=© CNBC LLC |date=6 April 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of firearms]]
* [[List of rifle cartridges]]
* [[Table of handgun and rifle cartridges]]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book |last=De Haas |first=Frank |title= Bolt Action Rifles |publisher=DBI Books |location= Northfield |year=1971 |isbn= 0-695-80220-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Van Zwoll |first=Wayne |title= Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Rifles |year=2012 |location= Iola |publisher=Gun Digest Books |isbn= 978-1440230721}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Remington 700}}
* [https://www.cnbc.com/id/39554936 CNBC program on the Remington 700]
* [https://www.cnbc.com/remington-under-fire/ Remington Under Fire] investigative journalism since 2010 by [[CNBC]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100323164014/http://www.remington.com/product-families/firearms/centerfire-families/bolt-action-model-700.aspx Remington Model 700 product page]
* [https://www.remarms.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/ Remington Model 700 product page 2023]

{{Remington firearms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Remington Model 700}}
[[Category:Bolt-action rifles of the United States]]
[[Category:Sniper rifles of the United States]]
[[Category:Remington Arms firearms]]
[[Category:Hunting rifles]]