remington 74 auto

[S.S.]

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I have a friends Remington sportsman 74 auto rifle.
As I understand it they are the last in the line of the
740, 742, model 4, 7400 series. His is one of the Jam-o-Matics !
I am familiar enough to know that these rifles were
"known" for jamming on extraction but that is about it.
Some one told me that this was due to a defective part
in the bolt (some sort of nylon part?). Anyone familiar with this?
Also, I have a Stevens 940c single barrel 12 ga, I need a new
hammer spring for it. who are some good companies for springs?

[spruce]

You talking about the Remington gas-operated single shot?

Numrich Arms may have a spring for your Stevens.

[1marty]

many years ago I had a rem 7400 30-06. Jam jam and double jams. Sent it back to remington. they said the gun was ok. I kept it perfectly clean but more and more jams. some people say they couldn't handle the more powerful bullets. The gun really is terrible. I traded for a rem 700 7-08 and love it.

[Rangr44]

[I have a friends Remington sportsman 74 auto rifle. As I understand it they are the last in the line of the 740, 742, model 4, 7400 series.]

The 740 was the earliest of those, followed by the "improved" Model 742.
The 7400 was an "improvement" over the 742, with the Model Four just a "Deluxe" version of the 7400.
The 74 is more properly the econo-version of the Model 7400.

I've owned/shot/hunted with 742's, 7400's & Four's, w/o any issues, but am scrupulous about keeping the chambers clean - a little habit I picked up during a long ago exotic Southeastern Asian vacation, my Uncle Sam sent me on.

.

[1marty]

I've heard too many stories like mine to give the 7400 a high recommendation.
yes, I had an all expense paid vacation too from 69 to 70.

[Rangr44]

You were late to the party - My vacation was earlier, '65 thru '66.   

[gunnut69]

The Remingtons main problem was the cam slot in the bolt. Unless lubed with high pressure grease it would wear out in short order. The result was over-rotation of the bolt to the point that at times the bolt head would lock into the interior of the receiver completely tying up the weapon. The repair was a bolt replacement. Of course that part is NOT available. The last set of changes made to the autoloader lowered the number of locking lugs and altered the amming arrangement. They are supposed to perform better, but I have little direct knowledge. I do has 2 or 3 of the rifles in the locker that are not useable..one is a very new looking 742 in 243..
The tell tale sign is grooves  or marks on the inside of the receiver caused by the overrotation of the hardened locking lugs. This is called preinting and as the cams become more and more worn it will get worse.. The best option i've seen is the option to convert these autoloaders to pump action rifles. I've one in the works but am unable to do much to it just yet. The bolt lock is the only part I plan to use and the rest should be modifications of the existing 742 components. There is a shop advertising the conversion but they charge a fair amount and replace more 742 with 760 (pump) components which is great but I'm cheap... I'll elaborate as the project progresses.
If the rifle has jamming issues it is most often related to rusty chambers, damaged mags or filth... The gas system must be cleaned and lubrication correctly applied.