Rem 700 BDL quesiton

[uplandhunter870]

As a gift my dad picked up a used 700BDL for my 17th birthday, about 5 years ago, when i first got into big game hunting.  my borther just picked a used one up a short while ago and i notice something different ago my safety compared to his.

So heres the question, on my rifle when the safety is in the "safe" position i can still operate the bolt, on my brothers when the safety is on he cant work his bolt.  the safety on mine still seems to function properly by not firing when i try to pull the trigger with the safety on, rifle is unloaded of course when i tried this.  does this mean that something in the safety may not be working right or can these safeties be altered by a smith to let the bolt work and still disengage the pin.

thanks in advance,
Steve

[addicted]

my bdl 300 win mag back home doesnt let me workt he bolt but my CDL 223 over here does. i am interested in the knowledge on this as well.

[Huntbear]

That is a difference in years manufactured, and Remington redesigning their safeties.  When the 700 first came out, you could not work the bolt unless the safety was on "Fire".  After a few "accidental" shootings, because guys were trying to unload their weapons, while pointed at someone, Remington changed the design, so that you could unload the weapon by working the bolt with the safety on.  This was an especially nice feature in the ADLs since they have no drop plate to empty the magazine.

[carpsniperg2]

huntbear is spot on. mine you can work the bolt while on safety and it is a newer model.

[shaneman153D]

This was an especially nice feature in the ADLs since they have no drop plate to empty the magazine.

I have an ADL and I'm glad I can work it with the safety on.  I thought the other models did it the other way around.  I could see how it could be beneficial, crawling through brush and all.

[NWBREW]

I asked this same question back in Oct.. I bought a 1965 Rem. model 700 BDL in 270 and was concerned about the safety issue. I know some of the Rem. model 700 had a problem with the safety. This is what I was told (by members on here as well as gunsmiths) If you CAN work the bolt with the safety on your gun is good to go. If you CANNOT open the bolt with the safety on you should have a gunsmith look it over. From what I understand it is an easy fix. Like I say my rifle was manufactured in 1965 and I do not know if it had a safety job done on it prior to me buying it or not but I can open the bolt with the safety on. Gunsmith said all is in order....no problems.  I hope that helps a little on your question.

[Jamieb]

Remington changed the safetys sometime back in the early 80's. I've got both and dont really have a preference.
Some folks like the fact that that the saftey locks the bolt so that it cant come open from hanging up on brush.

[Huntbear]

I guess I should have added, you can have the newer safety retrofitted to your older model by a gunsmith, if you want.

[KillerMiller]

Here is a link regarding some safety issues with the model 700.  I personally have experienced problems with the safety style that only lets you use the bolt when clicked off.  My wife was using her grandfathers gun and when she went to open the bolt, click off safety,  BOOM... glad it was pointed at the ground even though I was 5 feet from the muzzle blast...ringgggggggggg!  We told her father and he swore she had to have touched the trigger until it did the samething at the gun range twice.

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/a/aacbsnewsrem700_2.htm

[NWBREW]

Thanks for the link KillerMiller.

[Bofire]

 :)If you take the stock off and work the safety you can see how the old ones had an arm that locked the bolt,  little cir-clips hold it on. If you take the safety arm off, you can grind off the arm that locks the bolt or go buy the other part. I take no credit for this idea. one  thing is this, with the bolt locked by the safety it is nearly impossible to catch the bolt handle on brush and open it on accident, I have seen this happen with a non locked bolt.
You can also have a different bolt shroad put on with a winchester type safety.
Carl

[Jamieb]

It took a few minutes but I found it, I knew I had read this a few years ago. Check out this link.http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/safety-center/safety-modification-program.aspx

[uplandhunter870]

thanks for the info guys, just got to thinking after my bro got his.  i called Remington and gave them the seriel numbers and they confirmed the manufacter dates and all is in order.  mine is newer with the newer safety, bros is older and he is going to have the safety replaced.

thanks again,
Steve