Can anyone give me the quick rundown on installing a 700 Remington trigger in a 721? I've got a brand new 700 trigger assembly that I'd like to install in my 721 because I want an adjustable trigger in this gun. It looks like a direct swap, I just have to move over the bolt release lever and the safety. Is that all there is or is there more to the swap? Will the 721 safety work on the 700 trigger?

Thanks,
Tom

The 721 safety lever will not function on a 700 trigger. The detent hole for the ball on the side is in the wrong place. Compare the parts before attempting a swap. If you use a 700 trigger with a 700 safety you will have to file or mill a flat on the right side of the receiver tang (for clearance). The safety levers are quite hard and will break before bending.
Also, the 721 bolt stop used a small coil spring where the 700 uses a torsion spring.

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and pulled the safety off the 721 for a closer look, and sure enough. Oh well. It was worth a shot. The trigger on the 721 isn't too bad, I'm just not happy with the 5-6 lb pull.

Like jay said,you can file or grind down the tang so the safety lever will clear.I have done some this way,and works pretty good.

Ugh... I'll pass. I know it's not that difficult but at the moment, it's not worth screwing with.

I have 2 721 rifles and have been able to adjust both of them just like a 700 trigger. My rifles were made in 1952 and '53, so unless your rifles were made before this and Remington used a different trigger assembly, you ought to be able to adjust them like a 700. Maybe someone else can back me up on this, I know there are several 721 owners on here!



Regards, Wyo

Mine was made in 59. It has screws or what appear to be screws in the same place as the 700 but they appear to be sandwiched inside the housing and don't appear to be adjustable, but I try to turn them.

The screws in the 721 have the same function as those in the 700 triggers. The 721/722 trigger housings were stampings that were folded around from one piece of steel. The 700s were two individuwal sideplates with the screws in solid steel blocks that were held between the sideplates with rivets. The main thing that I do not like about the 721/722 and early 700 triggers is the two piece sear block. One pc. is the sear and one pc is the safety. There were patent infringement concerns at Rem in the early days, they didn't want to be sued for making a trigger too close to the M52 Winchester trigger. That was the explanation offered by Otteson in "The Bolt Action".

Understood. Well, then I'll give it a shot and see if I can get it adjusted a little better. The way the metal is folded over the screws it makes them look like they're not adjustable. I'll pull it back out of the stock tonight and get that thing down to a reasonable pull. Gracias for the info.

I had a 721, and the trigger was adjustable for weight and overtravel. I had no problems adusting it down to 3.5 pounds.