Author Topic: the finest singleshot semi auto ever (Read 4038 times)

bluecow · « **on:** December 02, 2008, 04:39:45 AM »

im new here so if this has been done before please forgive. the son wanted a semi auto .06 i tried to tell him get a good bolt gun, that killed that idea with dad for something it must be wrong. so we find this 30.06 rem.742. yup; one shot and jam. each and every time! ive cleaned it, had a " gunsmith " clean it, changed mags, changed ammo, seems like there must be more thats been done but cant think of it. after nine years the boy is talking about getting out of the army, would like to have this vary nice singleshot turned into a auto, any thoughts would be helpful

thanks

jlchucker · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2008, 06:06:28 AM »

I've heard of this a lot from my gunsmith friend, an older gentleman with extensive experience on a lot of firearms. Seems his least favorites are the Remington autos. For all of the reasons you have stated. On the other hand, the guys I've encountered who have the Remington pump rifles love them, and these appear to be trouble free. My nephew-in-law to be has a Remington pump in 35 remmie (model 760?). He loves it, but in that particular caliber, can't seem to locate a spare magazine. Anybody know where these can be found in 35 Rem?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2008, 07:46:59 AM »

Bluecow,
not sure this will be a lot of help but...
They make, and I'm not at home to tell you the name, complete takedown manuals for rifles. There will be multiple guns in the book.
Please do not take offense to this, but get the book and follow the instructions in taking the gun completely apart to the gas system.
I would look at the hole from the barrel to the piston. Clean the piston and oil or grease it with lite oil or grease, And then follow the instructions in putting the gun back together. Caked up grease, oil or wax can be the problem in or on the piston. Sorry if i am using the wrong terms it has been a few years since I took apart a Rem 742.
Had a friend a few years ago and he had similar problems with a S&W 1000 shot gun, we took it apart and found a couple pieces were eaten by the gun scrubber and we found the parts to replace and the gun worked great after. Have also found guys that have reassembled things backwards and the instructions and the pictures will help.

Syncerus · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2008, 07:50:44 AM »

The 742 is a lost cause. Save yourself considerable frustration and money; just sell the thing and buy a real rifle.

mannyrock · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2008, 03:40:36 PM »

The Remington 742s were total and absolute junk. Remington refused to fix them. Gunsmiths stopped taking them in, because they couldn't figure out how to fix them.

My advice: Don't waste another penny or minute of time on this.

Save up for a new or used rifle.

mannyrock · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2008, 04:43:28 AM »

Some more advice: If you research on the Internet, you will probably find several gunsmiths who will convert your Remington 742 autoloader into a Remington 760 pump action rifle. I don't know what it costs, but I think it is less than the cost of a new rifle. This practice arose due to the fact that the 742 jam problems simply can't be fixed. Hope this helps.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2008, 05:09:55 AM »

I totally and completely disagree that the old 742 or its predecessor the 740 either were junk. The newer replacements for them well perhaps.

If kept clean and properly but not overly lubed the 740 and 742 both are reliable guns used sucessfully by many to this day. My cousin still uses an old one bought new by me and mistreated badly prior to him buying it for me cheaply.

The problems many have with them are mostly all due to neglect and abuse not honest use and wear. These problems include letting the chamber get dirty or rusted, letting water get down under that forearm and rust the gas chamber area and or spring. That's what I did. Letting the gas hole get clogged.

If you take it down completely and clean it up properly removing any rust and carbon build up and making sure the port is clean and open and then lightly lube all places needing lube and then keep that rifle clean and make sure the chamber is polished out and do not let it rust then feed it factory ammo it will work fine and for a long long time.

Abuse it and not keep it clean and properly lubed and they will not work for squat. Generally it's laziness (my situation) or lack of knowledge of them that causes them to not work properly.

My understanding is that the replacements that followed the 742 however do have mechanical problems and some of them just cannot be made to function reliably and that more than anything has led to the myth that the older 740 and 742 are also junk. They are not.

Syncerus · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2008, 06:42:22 AM »

GB, I respectfully disagree with your position. I and my step-father owned 742s and both of us had bad problems. We took excellent care of our rifles and had them fixed by factory trained technicians, to no avail.

If factory certified technicians can't help me make my product work correctly, I would submit that there are significant design flaws in the product.

targshooter · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2008, 01:25:37 AM »

Bluecow,
If you have cleaned the rifle as detailed by some of the posters and it still does not work, I would suggest a new magazine. If that fails, it may be worn out. The 740 and 742 had durability problems, Remington realized this and did make important design changes between the 740, 742 and 7400 models. Remington used to post the development story with all this history on their site, I cannot find it now. For you, it is only interesting reading. The 742 that I used for high power matches in the late 1970s wore out. I returned it to Remington and they fixed it, but they also warned me it was not designed for such heavy use and that the rifle was approaching the end of its useful life. I sold it to a collector who only cared that it functioned correctly. This may be the course of action you need to take, as they do reach a point where the failure is irreparable.
The following is what Remington Firearms offers on its "Support" forum in the "Help" file, this answer posted by Remington in response to an inquiry about the differences between the 742 and 7400.
The Model 7400 has been completely redesigned. The barrel, bolt, receiver and action bar have been enhanced. Internal parts are not interchangeable between these models. Rear stocks are interchangeable but fore-ends are not. We no longer house parts for the Model 742 which has been discontinued since 1980. If you need parts or service for this model, please check with an Obsolete Parts Dealer.

Ranger J · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2008, 03:15:43 AM »

I guess I am a lucky one. About 20 years ago I picked up a used 742 in 30-06 and over the years the only thing it has refused to cycle were some 2400 loads that I had made to break my then 13 year old daughter in to shooting a larger rifle than her SKS. #1 daughter shot them and then wanted to shoot some 'real bullets'. She is pushing 21 now and has changed to a 06 bolt gun only because she finds it slightly more accurate. The last time I shot a deer with it was 4 years ago and it cycled the 8 shots that it took to put the deer down flawlessly, something I couldn't say for the scope on it that day.

Actulallly the deer sort of shot itself as it manovered it's head into the place that the gun was shooting when the gun was aimed behind the shoulder. Not the gun's fault but that of the scope. Over the years I think I have got my $250 out of it.

RJ

jcn59 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2008, 03:11:58 PM »

I bought a 742 carbine for my dad around 1973 for about $120.. He used it until around 1978 & I got it back. Shot (30-06) handloads and factory out of it until about 1994 without a jam. Gave it to my son around 1997 and within a few years it started jamming with factory ammo so he had a smith clean it & it still works well but not perfect. I gave him a 7400 about ten years ago, & it seems to be working well.

He still hasn't figured out why most of us switched to bolt guns.

charles p · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2008, 04:05:38 PM »

I've got a 742 that works like a dream. Bought it in 1967. I feed mine reloads that are small base sized and trimmed. Loads are not hot. Works dependably. I use my when I am hunting alone and hopping to jump deer from brushtops in freshly timbered land. Mine has an old 1X4 Leupold.

Lone Star · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2008, 05:17:39 PM »

It is rather difficult to imagine a worthless, non-functioning rifle design being produced for 25 years and selling well enough to follow up with a modified design.

I have only owned M760s and M7600s, but two hunting buddies owned M742s. Their .308 rifles functioned great for them - but they were ex-Marines and knew how to take care of their SA rifles. The only problems they had were with reloads that produced inappropriate port pressures. Remington factory loads and appropriate handloads always worked 100%.

Engineers are well aware that design and actual assembly are two entirely different things. Maybe there are "Friday" rifles at the Remington assembly plant.

.

Syncerus · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:06:44 AM »

Both the rifles that I mentioned earlier were purchased new. Both were shot exclusively with factory ammunition. Remington ammunition was preferred initially. Both were .30/06 in caliber. It's possible the short action cartridges work better, but my experiences were with the .30/06.

I'm not trying to pick on Remington; I very much like the 673 and the model 7. I also own an xr100, which I like greatly. My personally opinion is that the 742 is a crapshoot, and you're just lucky if you get a good one.

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2008, 11:21:00 AM »

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My personally opinion is that the 742 is a crapshoot, and you're just lucky if you get a good one.

Maybeso but there are a LOT of folks around this part of the country that use nothing else. I've never known any of them to have problems not related to failure to properly clean and care for it.

Personally I don't think they are anymore of a crap shoot than any other gun. From time to time a bad one slips past but by and large the 740 and 742 were fine guns.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:48:23 AM »

Just Checking this to see what other ideas you all have come up with as to what it could be and I am shocked at you all.
Here a member asks for some help in fixing one of his guns and some of you let loose with your personal opinion of what you think of autos, Remington and on.
Think about your answer to the question. Run this through your head. If I asked this question would I want to hear my answer?
If you wanted help fixing something would you want me or one of the other members telling you? "you own a hunk of crap and to throw it away"!

Syncerus · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2008, 08:01:42 AM »

My opinion was that the firearm might not be fixable. I was try to **help** him by preventing him from spinning his wheels and losing even more time and money. It was never intended to be a rant on the 742.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** December 08, 2008, 08:09:24 AM »

My rant was not exactly aimed at you.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2008, 01:41:03 PM »

i once owned one in 3006 and it jammed everytime with pointed bullets. i switched to a shorter rounded bullet never had another jam in that rifle.

jcn59 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2008, 02:30:04 PM »

Mr. Cow,

It was rumored several years ago that the 740 & 742 models would "wear out". The story I got was that internal rails in the receiver would "peen" or "gall", causing those models to jam, and they could not be repaired. Somewhere between 10 years ago and now, I would see partially dismantled 742 models at the gunshops because they couldn't be made to function properly anymore. This is what the "factory" allegedly said about the rifles. Supposedly, this is why Remington came out with the 7400.

I never tried to confirm any of this. While it may be valid information, it never quite rang true with me. Nonetheless it gave the 742 & 740 a bad reputation.

I have owned three Belgium/Portugal BARs. One was new in 1967 or so, then a 70s version in 30-06 that jammed 50% of the time with anything I fed it, now a 70s vintage .270 that can't be made to jam.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2008, 02:47:09 PM »

I think the total dismantle idea is the way to go. I have a 1970 something 742 in 30-06 and have never, ever had any problem with feeding or jamming.

The guy I bought it from was a gunsmith and he said if you buy one, the lugs on the bolt had to be checked, that was where the wear would occur.

Kind of a side note, when I bought it my uncle called it the best single shot rifle Remington ever made.

Lone Star · « **Reply #21 on:** December 09, 2008, 08:38:42 AM »

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If you wanted help fixing something would you want me or one of the other members telling you? "you own a hunk of crap and to throw it away"!

McD, I hate to break it to you but sometimes it is far better to cut your losses on a piece of junk and sell or toss it rather than spend a lot of time trying to polish a t*rd. I do not think that this applies to the M742, but there are firearms out there that cause their owners a lot of trouble because they are a) worn out, or b) junk to begin with. These should be tossed.

You may disagree with some of the opinions voiced on this thread - so do I - but to proclaim your righteous indignation over them seems pretty silly.

.

burntmuch · « **Reply #22 on:** December 09, 2008, 09:28:12 AM »

Nothing wrong with a 742. I had one years ago. Good gun . Now does yours jam or does it cycle, then not fire the next shot. I had that happen once. After a complete tear down. I put it together wrong. A spring in the trigger mechanism was backwards. The gun would cycle but it wouldnt fire the 2nd shot. It was a 3 min fix at deer camp that year. My cousin had the same gun. We looked at his trigger mechinism & relized I had a spring backwards. A few years later my brother in law shot a nice bull elk at 250 yards with it.
Hope this helps Jay

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #23 on:** December 09, 2008, 10:59:24 AM »

Lonestar,
I saw it as a guy was trying to fix his Ford and all the Chevy guys were just telling him what a piece of junk his ford is rather than helping him get it fixed. And yes I know that some times you need to cut your losses in projects and that somethings have a short useable life. If the reciever is bent on his gun there really is nothing he can do to make it work. But to invest a little time and energy into taking the rifle apart, cleaning and lubing the gun and then making sure that it is reassembled in the right order and that all the parts are there is at least a great place to start. The cost of under $30 for a book that will give you multiple guns to take apart and shows you how to put them back together the right way. I have had many friends bring me guns they have taken apart and could or did not get back together and no matter what I think of the gun I at least try to help them. In most cases I am able to get the gun to work because something was installed backwards or was lost. The S&W shotgun that had a neopreen washer melt from the cleaning solvent is a perfect case of make sure all the parts are there.

1911crazy · « **Reply #24 on:** December 10, 2008, 02:12:04 PM »

I had the same problems with there 1100 rem shotguns too. I had back to back new ones that jammed right in the store while trying to assemble them.

For a semi auto now i'd go for a new russian izhmash saiga in 223, 308, 30-06 or a 12 or 20ga shotgun. The ak47 action is flawless and it can be disassembled and cleaned and lubed properly anytime.

Have you ever completely disassembled your remington semi auto's to clean and lube them properly? Why are they so complicated to disassemble when the saiga is so easy to disassemble.

myronman3 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:46:42 AM »

poppers had a 742 '06 that he dearly loved. 9 years after he bought it, the jamming started. lest any of you accuse dad of not taking care of his guns, let me assure you, he took care of all of them. first he tryed a gunsmith, gunsmith couldnt find a problem. then he tried another, same thing. then he sent to remington, and they themselves outright said that there were mechanical problems with the gun, the gun was obsolete, and they wouldnt fix it. but, they WOULD give him a certifcate for his next remington rifle purchase. dad avoided remingtons a long time after that, but finally a few years back he bought one. i still have a bad taste in my mouth from it.
i like the pump remingtons, and they make a fine bolt gun, and some mighty fine shotguns. but, you couldnt convince me to spend a dime on a remington auto rifle. and it doesnt matter if you are appauled or not; i say lonestar was right on the money with his reply. if you dont think so, pony up the money and take the gun off the mans hands and clean it and own a fine rifle.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #26 on:** December 15, 2008, 07:36:09 AM »

This comming from the guy who defends Mossberg shotguns and says he doesn't clean them.....
OK. Sounds like you do not like Remington and no matter what he says you will be against it. What if he had a problem with a mossberg 500 that would not cycle? Would you tell him it was a piece of ... and that your Daddy had one and it would not work either? Oh wait you like Mossberg so I'm guessing not.
Again how does your story about your father help to get the gun to go Bang Bang instead of Bang &%##! click thawk snack Bang!?
If he wants to sell the rifle I will step up and buy it at a resaonable price if it makes you feel better. But again I am not touting how great one company is over the other. I was pissed at comments like yours that give no advice at all. I own or have owned guns from most of the manufacturers and I would gladly have back 95% of them, heck for a long time I would buy rifles and shotguns that had mechanical problems cheap just to fix and clean them up. Something to do in the garage while watching TV. I do the same thing with guns my friends have or have bought in order to get them up and running. In college a lot of people would bring me guns in pillow cases that they took apart and could not get back together again or lost a spring ot other part and did not know what part they lost. In most cases I had the gun back together and functioning by the time they returned with a 12 pack.

myronman3 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 15, 2008, 09:52:20 AM »

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Sounds like you do not like Remington and no matter what he says you will be against it.

ridiculous. you are assuming way to much.

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What if he had a problem with a mossberg 500 that would not cycle? Would you tell him it was a piece of ... and that your Daddy had one and it would not work either? Oh wait you like Mossberg so I'm guessing not.

well if my dad had one that didnt work, and if mossberg told him to go fly a kite, we aint fixing it, less than ten years after he bought it; yes, yes i would. mossberg doesnt do that, so yes, i like them.

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Again how does your story about your father help to get the gun to go Bang Bang instead of Bang &%##! click thawk snack Bang!?

it beats encouraging a guy to try to fix a gun even the manufacturer gave up on and wont fix.

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If he wants to sell the rifle I will step up and buy it at a resaonable price if it makes you feel better.

ya hear that bluecow? SELL! SELL!!!!!!!!

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But again I am not touting how great one company is over the other.

who did that? i must have missed that part.
it is good you helped others, and are continuing to try to help even more. but what aint good, is slamming on others because they see things differently than you. maybe it is just me, but it seems you are riding a tad high on that horse. you give your advice, and i will give mine. and if you dont like my advice, that is your choice. but you aint the almighty and i am everybit entitled to my opinon than you are yours. you dont need to be attacking me or others for it; it reflects poorly.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #28 on:** December 15, 2008, 01:45:47 PM »

Again I find it funny that you are telling me you have every right to your opinion and yell at me for voicing mine.
Again I still do not see how stories about dad's what ever help in giving him ideas on how to get his running for his son. Trust me if you needed help with something the last thing you would want to hear is what a POS that thing of yours is. So yes a little high on the horse but I still think I'm looking up to where your sitting on your horse in telling me you can voice your opinion but I can not.

myronman3 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 15, 2008, 02:01:08 PM »

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Again I find it funny that you are telling me you have every right to your opinion and yell at me for voicing mine.

well, perhaps you can direct me to where exactly it was that i yelled at you for voicing your opinion. you did get condescending, and i called you on that, but that is about it. you are the one who is getting all high and mighty. what, did lonestar yell at you too?