The Remington Model 700 rifle is the subject of lawsuits that allege a defective trigger mechanism on the rifle, known as the “Walker Fire Control”, can cause it to misfire when it is being loaded. Scores of people have allegedly suffered serious, and in some cases, fatal injuries when a Remington Model 700 rifle misfired. […]
The Remington Model 700 rifle is the subject of lawsuits that allege a defective trigger mechanism on the rifle, known as the “Walker Fire Control”, can cause it to misfire when it is being loaded. Scores of people have allegedly suffered serious, and in some cases, fatal injuries when a Remington Model 700 rifle misfired. To date, Remington has received thousands of customer complaints of unintended discharge for the Model 700. Many Remington Model 700 Rifle misfire lawsuits have already been quietly settled by the company.
If you or a loved one were injured as a result of a Remington Model 700 rifle misfire, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. Our Remington Model 700 rifle misfire lawyers are offering free case evaluation to anyone injured by this dangerous weapon. We urge you to contact us today to protect your legal rights.
The Walker Fire Control trigger mechanism on the Remington Model 700 rifle uses an internal component called a “connector.” No other rifle manufacturer uses this design. The connector floats on top of the trigger body inside of the gun, but is not physically bound to the trigger in any way other than tension from a spring. When the trigger is pulled, the connecter is pushed forward by the trigger, allowing the sear to fall and fire the rifle.
The proper position of the connector under the sear is an overlap of only 25/1000ths of an inch, but because the connector is not bound to the trigger, the connector separates from the trigger body when the rifle is fired and creates a gap between the two parts. Any dirt, debris or manufacturing scrap can then become lodged in the space created between the connector and the trigger, preventing the connector from returning to its original position.
Internal documents indicate that Remington was well aware of this problem. In fact, Remington redesigned the fire control for the Model 700 with a newly designed trigger, the X-Mark Pro. That design, which eliminates the connector, was completed in 2002. However, Remington chose to continue with its Walker design for financial reasons, never warning the public. Even today, Remington installs the new fire control into some but not all of its bolt-action rifles, leaving many users at risk with the old and defective design.
In several lawsuits involving Remington Model 700 rifle misfire injuries, the rifle maker has been ordered to pay substantial damages to plaintiffs. In 1994, after a Texas jury awarded $15 million to a man who lost his foot as a result of a Remington Model 700 rifle misfire, the company contemplated issuing a recall and recognized the need to redesign its fire control. However, until it finally introduced a new fire control in 2007 (a design that eliminates the connector), Remington consistently chose to forego a safer design.
After the 1994 Texas verdict, Remington quietly began to settle similar lawsuits. Over the past several years, it has paid out about $20 million to settle Remington Model 700 Rifle misfire lawsuits out of court.
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).