R700 Walker Trigger Experience

[Ckat]

I’ve always thought that the horror stories were just cover ups for user negligence… until a couple of days ago. I was sticking something in the safe and the Remington 700 221FB caught my eye in the back. I haven’t shot it in a couple of years, but remembered it being a ton of fun to shoot. There was a box of ammo on the table beside the safe, so I decided to sling a few rounds at the 250 yard gong. I loaded a mag full then walked outside. Put one in the chamber then started to point down range. Mid-swing downward, I released the safety and BANG!!! My finger was no where near the trigger. It spooked me! I tried to replicate, but no luck. It has the original “Walker” trigger on it. I’m sure that I have adjusted it, but I always err on the side of caution with sear engagement… even if it means a tiny bit of creep.

I’ve flipped R700s’ safeties off thousands of times without a worry in the world or any problems… until this. Following gun safety rules will alleviate problems, but I can definitely understand how things can go south! This is just a warning/reminder based off of my singular experience… but it’s enough for me to get a new trigger on the way!

 

[Thegman]

I’ve always thought that the horror stories were just cover ups for user negligence… until a couple of days ago...
I’m sure that I have adjusted it, but I always err on the side of caution with sear engagement… even if it means a tiny bit of creep.

IDK, you're sure you have adjusted it, but can't say exactly what that adjustment was.

In this case, sounds like your trigger did not come forward, or not forward enough to fully engage the sear. Could have been the trigger return spring screw was adjusted out too far, the sear engagement set to be too little, some of both. Add a gummed up trigger, if that may have been the case as well, and this can easily happen.

One of the problems with these triggers is that if one (not saying you) doesn't fully understand how these variables interact, under all conditions, it's not too hard to adjust them into danger zones.

 

[Ckat]

IDK, you're sure you have adjusted it, but can't say exactly what that adjustment was…

I never said that I couldn’t say what the adjustment was… I am sure that I adjusted it (because I have adjusted or replaced the trigger on every R700 I’ve ever had). I use the instructions published by a well-known gunsmith back when the Walkers were popular. I can’t remember off of the top of my head without referring to my notes, but say the instructions noted 1/4-1/2 turn back in from sear drop, I would use the 1/2 turn (thus “err on the side of caution”). I always target a 3# pull on hunting rifles, though it’s impossible to get exactly a 3# pull every time.

The first 5 minutes or so of the video below explains the flaw in the design of the Walker trigger… basically, it’s as simple as a “floating” connector that can allow dirt/grime/oil to be trapped between the trigger and connector… effectively changing the sear engagement setting.

Do what you want with this informations… I simply posted it as a warning to all that “it can happen to you”.

 

[Thegman]

Copy that.

When I've adjusted Walker triggers, rather than how much of a turn is suggested by someone, which may or may not work on every trigger depending on initial conditions and other variables, I've simply adjusted components to work safely together, and tested pretty extensively before calling it good.

Like you, I do leave a little extra sear engagement. I'd rather have some trigger creep than inadequate engagement. But I also leave enough trigger return spring force to override issues that can work against trigger return.

I watch components work together really carefully under magnification to be sure I know exactly how all trigger components are working together with the adjustments I'm making, and what can go wrong with inadequate/incorrect adjustments.

I've adjusted triggers in and out of "danger zones" to get an idea of what issues to specifically, visually look for, and what can cause a malfunction. So far, in many years, have never had an issue with any Walker trigger I've adjusted.

Adequate sear engagement and adequate trigger return force. Lacking in either or both will eventually be unsafe.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I have 2 700s.

The one I grew up with has done the Walker thing 2x that I was present for once was to me.

It now has a Timney trigger and I sleep well.

The second one had a TT before ammo came into the house.