Remington Pot Metal
 

A few years ago, I bought a new Rem 700 Mtn. It's a beautiful rifle, shoots well, and generally does what it's supposed to. Unfortunately, Remington (like so many other modern firearm manufacturers) has clearly cut some corners in order to stay competitive.

I don't want to start a gripe session about the demise of the firearms industry or the loss of the good ol' days. What bothers me most about the 700 is the pot metal trigger guard and floorplate, and the three-piece bolt assembly.

Does anyone know if there are aftermarket (or factory) steel replacements available for the pot metal parts? Any danger in swapping out the bolt for an older one-piece unit?

While not exactly cheap, Williams, Sunny Hill and Badger Ordnance all produce excellent bottom metal, for a replacement bolt give Pacific Tool & Gauge a try. When replacing the bolt, the headspcae must be checked and most likely corrected.

The bottom metal is cast aluminum... not pot metal. You can find steel bottom metal in brownells.com and midwayusa.com

As far as I know Remington has never had a one piece bolt and has always been a two piece bolt. Bolt body and a braised on bolt handle. If the third piece you are referring to is the bolt shroud all bolts have separate bolt shrouds.

I have a Remington Mtn. rifle with the aluminum alloy trigger guard assembly. I have hunted with the gun for 11 years and unless you are planning on using it for an axe or a shovel I fail to see a problem. Sure its not steel but its also not an 8 lb. rifle either.
For an option check out a lower end Savage 110 series rifle, their trigger guard is plastic.
I have never seen a "three piece" bolt on a 700 series Remington so I need educated. I have Remington rifles made in the early sixties right up thru an SPS and a VSSF made last year.

I must be mistaken on the bolt assembly. It was something that a local gunsmith mentioned to me in passing. As for the aluminum bottom metal, my issue isn't with the function as much as it is with form. Good to know there are aftermarket parts out there. It's a minor quibble on a great rifle.

I'm pretty sure it had more to do with weight than cost. Over the years, one of the constant gripes of riflemen has been weight.