Rem 788 .243, problems
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rural Kansas... Where Life is Good
Posts: 4,139
Rem 788 .243, problems
I have a Remington 788 in .243 that seems to have some issues with the trigger and safety. Intermittenly, the gun will not fire when the trigger is pull, so I'll eject a different cartridge and then it fires. When it malfunctions, the first thing I do is make sure the bolt is all the way down and the safety is off. Besides the fact of the trigger intermittenly malfunctioning, I dislike the way the safety is designed. It is tough to tell whether it is on safety or not unless you actually move it between safety and fire. Plus with the design of the safety it's very big and seems it can be easily bumped, with it's placement on the gun.
I have a lot of guns and am familiar with them, but this is one i'm going to sell because of the reasons above. I've used it for several years now, and killed a good amount of deer, but don't like using it, and won't let anyone else use it because of my experiences with it. Has anyone else had any problems or experiences with their model 788? Thanks
I have a lot of guns and am familiar with them, but this is one i'm going to sell because of the reasons above. I've used it for several years now, and killed a good amount of deer, but don't like using it, and won't let anyone else use it because of my experiences with it. Has anyone else had any problems or experiences with their model 788? Thanks
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 776
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
Had a Rem.788 in 243Win. years ago when I lived in Wyoming. It was one of the most
accurate and reliable rifles I've ever owned. Ain't much for looks, but danged if it didn't
shoot good!
Never experienced any problems with mine, and I guess the safety issue is a matter of
personal preference. I mean, it does work as it's supposed to.
As for not firing on occasion, I had a similar problem once with a Remington 700BDL in
270Win. The bolt was not cocking each time. Gunsmith took the bolt apart, cleaned it,
and it worked fine after that.
accurate and reliable rifles I've ever owned. Ain't much for looks, but danged if it didn't
shoot good!
Never experienced any problems with mine, and I guess the safety issue is a matter of
personal preference. I mean, it does work as it's supposed to.
As for not firing on occasion, I had a similar problem once with a Remington 700BDL in
270Win. The bolt was not cocking each time. Gunsmith took the bolt apart, cleaned it,
and it worked fine after that.
#3
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
Have you thought about taking it to a gunsmith? The problem might be as simple as a good detail cleaning. Gunk can accumulate in the most unlikely places over time and cause problems.
Mike
Mike
#4
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rural Kansas... Where Life is Good
Posts: 4,139
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
I taken it apart myself and gave it a good cleaning. I've taken a lot of Rem's apart but mainly just the 700's. So i'm sure I didn't do as quite of a good job as what a real gunsmith would. Around the shop I did hear something about the 788 having a recall a few years back. But I'd have to see the authenticity of that and what it actually included.
Virginia7, you're right, my gun when working correctly is very accurate also. The short barrel makes it a nice for getting throught the thick stuff.
Virginia7, you're right, my gun when working correctly is very accurate also. The short barrel makes it a nice for getting throught the thick stuff.
#5
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rural Kansas... Where Life is Good
Posts: 4,139
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
Just found some more info on the .788 Looks like there was not a recall on it, but Remington did lose a big lawsuit several years ago, due to the safety mechanism on the .788
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 776
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
but Remington did lose a big lawsuit several years ago, due to the safety mechanism on the .788
#7
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rural Kansas... Where Life is Good
Posts: 4,139
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
I just did a search on google and came up with that info from a few different articles written by various people reagarding the lawsuit. Hard to find the credible information on a old lawsuit though.
One good overall article about the 788 is here.
http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh/788.html
One good overall article about the 788 is here.
http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh/788.html
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location:
Posts: 23
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
I have a 788 in .243 and at 150 yards i can shoot a woodchuck between the eyes. ive never had a problem with mine, but as you said i dfont like the saftey either. my father has an older 722 in .222 an i like that saftey alot more. good luck with the rifle.
#9
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rural Kansas... Where Life is Good
Posts: 4,139
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
Anyone have any idea on what a the 788 .243 is worth? It was re-blued about 7 years ago, and is practically is mint condition, barrel and stock.
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 776
RE: Rem 788 .243, problems
You can find 'em on some of the gun auction websites, and that should give you an idea.
Or, check with your local dealer; he can look it up in the Blue Book.
Links:
http://www.gunbroker.com/
http://www.auctionarms.com/
Or, check with your local dealer; he can look it up in the Blue Book.
Links:
http://www.gunbroker.com/
http://www.auctionarms.com/