Remington 700 Settlement Results in Trigger Replacement for Millions of Rifles

As part of a settlement reached in a class action lawsuit over trigger problems with Remington Model 700 rifles, the manufacturer of the popular gun has agreed to replace the triggers on 7.85 million rifles, which have been linked to unintentional discharges that have caused dozens of deaths and serious injuries.

The Remington class-action lawsuit settlement was reached in a federal court in Missouri on December 5, including an agreement that Remington will retrofit an estimated 7.85 million Model 700 and Seven series rifles free of charge.

The Remington Rifles being recalled have been criticized for having faulty trigger designs, which may have been assembled with an excessive bonding agent that could allow the firearms to spontaneously discharge under certain situations.

A number of Remington rifle class action lawsuits were filed in 2013, including one by Ian Pollard, a resident of Missouri whose Remington 700 rifle fired on several occasions even though he didn’t pull the trigger.

The complaints claimed that Remington failed to recognize the possibly safety hazards associated with the certain models as well as negligence, breach of warranty, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and fraudulent concealment.

Pollard also accused Remington in federal court of attempting to cover up design defects that lead to the trigger malfunctions.

According to the settlement documents, Remington has agreed to repair the Model 700, Seven, Sportsman 78, 673, 710, 715, 770, 600, 660, XP-100, 721, 722 and 725 rifles free of charge. The documents also detail that certain owners with models between 32 and 62 years old will be provided vouchers because the firearms cannot be retrofitted with a connector-less trigger mechanism.

Customers who have already had their trigger assemblies replaced will be reimbursed by Remington after showing receipt of the service.

The settlement also mandates that Remington advertise via news release, direct notices, a website and social media how rifle-owners can file claim forms to get their weapons repaired.

Over the last few years Remington received reports indicating at least 24 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries may have been caused by the faulty trigger systems on Remington rifles that accidentally or spontaneously discharged.

In April, a Remington rifle recall was announced for Model 700 and Model Seven rifles with X-Mark Pro (XMP) triggers. However, the recall only affected Remington 700 and Seven model rifles manufactured between May 1, 2006 and April 9, 2014.

One of the incidents that gained national news headlines was the death of 9 year-old Gus Barber, of Montana, who was hit and killed by an accidental discharge while his mother was unloading the Remington model 700. According to the reports the family was on a hunting trip when the mother pointed the model 700 rifle into an empty horse trailer to safely unload the firearm. Her nine year old son, Gus, ran behind the horse trailer as the trigger mechanism spontaneously discharged, striking and killing the young boy.

Customers with Remington Model 700 and Model Seven rifles with X-Mark Pro triggers manufactured between May 1, 2006, and April 9, 2014 who believe their rifle may fall under the recall should locate their gun’s serial number and visit www.xmprecall.remington.com or call Remington at 800-243-9700 for instructions on how to have the gun repaired free of charge.