CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS Long before the Walker Fire Control was first introduced into a Remington rifle, Remington recognized the importance of customer input. Customers were conceived as sources of input, in lieu of government inspectors, for testing and acceptance of Remington firearms. Remington  Production  Document  Bates   #  R2500597   –R2500627 - In mm casts): a" mums or smnomm aanuss REMINGTON DUPONT Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.A. October 1945 - our customersThe information compiled heroin represents the contri- butions of-many individuals of long service and Varied experience in our organization. It comprises certain factual data based on analyses of our past experiences in the manufacture of shotguns and rifles and the performance of those weapons in the hands of We believe that our employees are just as anxious as Management for maintenance of the quality, usefulness and economic value of our products. To develop and hold high quality standards we all recognize that we must practice constantly the habit of accuracy and thoroughness. Loose inspections and inattention to details are bound to lead to a minimum of good quality which in turn reduces our sales and affects the economic stability of the organization, The quality of our products must exceed that of our competitors at all times as our ultimate customers not only deter; mine if our promict is acceptable, but; of more importance, whether _or not we stay in business. . assembly of component parts fer our shotguns and rifles we must Therefore, in the manufacture and maintain a quality consciousneSs which will ensure the contri- butioh of good workmanship on the part of all members of the organization as they perform their daily tasks. The recording of good accomplishments along with the. focusing of attention upon existing weaknesses should serve-as a guide or reference for those who assume the factory tasks as replacements in production during future years. Now that war work is discontinued if we can visualize -iour customers in place of GcVernment inspectors awaiting our pro- ?'ducts for test and acceptance, we will go a long.way toward build- ing up an army of satisfied users of Remington Sporting Arms with ?attendont benefits toward our economic security. .-"Therefore, we a confident that all will unite in efforts to bring about no developments and improved designs com- bincd with accurate fabrication and proper assembly so that - Remington Quality may be maintained at a level unsurpassed in industry. [6-6 . We 0 Clay Manager of Quality lblamo the arm. . - i one UL umo ILLIN- U1. uuv i was: Some mechanical safeties previously employed. wore so designed that the user of the gun. would occasionally pull tho trigger while attempting to "put on? or "take off?'tho safety. This was :1 former woclmoss in the Model ll Shotgun, also in the Model 29 (Model 10). In both guns the formersofoty was located just-in front of the trigger. [It was sliding unit which wcs? pulled to the roar to lock the action or put the gun on safety, If and was pushed forward to the firing position. Occasionally a shooter in attempting to put the safety "on" would allow his fing?r to slip off of the safety and strike the trigger, thus dio- the gun accidentally. It vac also possible accidentally to discharge. tho gun while pushing. the safety from "safell to the firing position. Men with largo fingers or wearing gloves could strike the trigger the roar of the Safety with sufficient-4; force to fire the arm. The effect of c? hichpow rifle .or "a which rows {It?ll/is sodd?timc accompanied" by personal?injurycithcr to tho to adjacent bystanders. The shooter, of course, will invariably In several instances this deficiency was overcome by changing the design of the safety to a cross bolt at the rear of the trigger guard. a.r: . . abouc.6" ?striking in a jar Off. A .1. It must withstand a free fall of on the ?butt: "Jar off'4 in various ways as sometimes a slight blow on top of the receiver or butt stock will cause the notches to separate resulting There have been cases where closing a slide action gun too hard Would give the same result. A new model must be tested for no .1 ll nae ..I ?1 The Model 721 was the first model equipped with the Walker Fire Control. It was introduced in March of 1948. By August of 1948, 3 field complaints surfaced of rifles that would fire upon release of the safety. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  AL031908 338?? . 0-. 2 $3513?): . :2 ,2 4 18 nova +0 313 53.1? mm?icmf- 2. sun?uro .0 ,th?e Lozrluintd were tested at Silica Mm 115 the Idsi?ectis, however, 93 i511? .. a .. Dec 7'1 $0961! an27.modiate~ u?voati??mate?s i? . oliminate the bastard. '2 OBIECVE With knowledge of the field complaints, Remington recognized in 1948 that its “potential liability for the safety of our product is somewhat augmented.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2501440 From~ Subgeot.secure a malfunction of its safety, aha deem its eonstruc- jthat some Model 721 safeties have m1sfunct10n a - . models. We believe 1?_important that these screws, . A. J. Greene, The gun mentioned in your lees; essugiust 27mg?? was duly delivered to us by Mr. Pinekney, and is returned . to.h1y.with his oopy of this letter. We are unable to. tion a substantial improvemehb over??hs model which we had.prev1ously examihed.- Our usual potential liab111ty for the safety of oUr product is sonmwhat augmented by our knowledge However,' our liability does not seem to be out of proport1on- to ?he advantage of retaining the present sear-and safety construction, pending rece1pt of fusther complaints from the field. We note that in the production gun which you supplied the three adjuStment Screws 1n the trigger assembly are not staked, as thEy were in the earlier particularly the one Which determines phe amount of and Sear, be so sealed as to afford a positive indication wheh our.factory adjus?- ment has been altered. Paten Attorney. After noting a 2% malfunction rate is “too high”, Remington in 1953 re-affirmed its belief that “complaints from customers is one of our principal yardsticks, especially as to ‘what will be acceptable.’” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2501804 magnum WMO 013mm 5th, 6. 3. 6113:: testing Unit, 721MdzmaMMWRomdm-hglm Emmett, awnwas m?nnm ago. anabolic? 5. 99m, therefore, pal-Mimi, to give marine cf prwim testing. lo Whmu judge 4? 50 H. ?335.: Arms human. WM Bi?dm awn Even authorized Remington gunsmiths proposed solutions for incidents of unintended firings upon closure of the bolt or release of the safety. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  1295002285 51?? EGHPAHY NC 3rid"?"?r ti won: Eat-1311:, 311.118 1?57. 3111.15; nun} . . . war-mo 1.5 721~.22 7 1'23v.r1630 street, ?08th Irfcrij Texas i3 #53 Ro?roruard todgy, :n?ar :IparLtI covar. a be; =3.w60ntai :13; a ravisod trijger Ind aasombl~ r6r em ,?nodol 721 $33 722 :1 10:..:Th1 un1t WIS 3Lb*1ttod to us iz?an outsido invInear, one -. 3. Shortan, who 6psraca: v. 1 Shorten Gun Shcp- 1.311721-? . I .2. :1r. Shorten state} t6at h? .33 had aovcral?Tzl .u;ggand 722 rifle: in for . sacauaa the son: would sureloazn thI bo1t was closed or thi taftty?W83??0- ?lsIsId.? 3?s radosignod unit 1: suptoscd to out th13r s. .orton -3 a.ur1 that prrsont warkinr'_ mo?ai is raufh, but he asks marat- .43. aviluat?a the 66:1- '2tru cticn In functi onlng.. It mgy that your ?can evaluate st: c.tu:e .rom .thI crude drawing or '5hcrten}: and t? .I m?dql, githout puttin~ 1t 1n 1 r1flc.n? I don't Tack. in any ave at, 116133 five (?cur onmi ,3Er r159 structuro, for cc manic . ?ave . v, ?on.I30yo- occ 'Iu'cou;v '49n'n nu o- 3 . 3' -:vb 0-5 3,1" ?ac-Vt 3.0- tr- I - '1 In 1968, Consumer Reports published that the Model 700 ?would fire Wi thout warning.? Varmint Rifles .THE MODELS WERE ACCURATE ENOUGH TO HIT SMALL VARMINTS AT RANGES The 'Inrini'nt hunter in sun": may: more lortunalc than his iellnw an out lor big game. He can usu- IIll)? ne'er home In any sensnn and without limit on his hug: and some farmen bade-riled by crows. wondchucks will .Illov. the varminler to shoot :n their ?elrls. Rut whiII: an old .30- 31) may all.) bring home the venison. tlII: varminter needs a long- -runge precision rifle. it will nor. mally rill-I chambered a cartridge with a rather new? Inorge and a m. mparativelo) light bullet ni 1m: :Ill diameter. combinatIon results In a liar trajectory and lung nfiemiIe range about 400 yards [or some culilIurs and in II bullet at tends to disintegrate when iI hits obstacle rather than ricochet dangerous?. V.Irmi: I I: ha: .. used many calibers. from the little ?3 lane Ri?e the. the lo- extIerne. Icu lltl? I. I range I: urtridze Nilh a slow- mmn'ng. high- tru- erItnr} hulle'. that ricoc.? easily?not suitable or sale 5dr Al the: other hitreme. you have a big- anmo that has: large-diameter bullet with too le?gi. trajectory [or occurch over long range. plus a lot nl. II'Izr-il nnd'n' report ?Icud enough to make your ears ring cm: In startle someone Iaken? Una-dares. In between is any- luml. Thu.- venerahle .22 Home! is on the small side and seems to have lost much of its Iz-spIIlacile' And the famed 220 Swi/I. which delivered higher velocity IInd ?alter. trajectory than any commercial cartridge before or since, proved to have drawbacks. loud. some claimed it tended to wear out int-rid: I'IcirllII. and its relativel) light bullet was too easily 'lI- (led by the -. "Ind. among other things. I Among I most [10; min: H'armint hunting cartridges to- (In: an "23 [Cemmglo't and the .22 250 The .2132 Ems ar e?ectire "Inge oi up to about 300 35rd: - .Ind a relatively mild apart; the 22250 has II maximum ellectivc rlmge of atom 400 yards but a considerablv 'L-igrzer On the :dI-Ice of our cpnsultanls. we decided Y?mit ed: rep: .rt largely to Iilles of those two calibers. . Two other calibers, thf- .243 "?I'rzchesler and lb: .244 Rem- .IIgtan hum been Widely used for Varmint shooting In the PSI. But they re nI hit heavy for varmints smaller than the or tox. and a bit loud for use Iaway from the wide -open 56'5ch We purchased 13 models' In 11 major brands. Eight ri?es were. .22- 250: and lour were .2225 (models available in ?both calib?rs were tested In .22 250) The other taled ri?e. the popular Winchester 7?0. was not available in either cali- mil I I her at llII.? time we purchusctl our test mode Is. Luw being in 22- 250. Our WIIthqurur liru] 29 cnlihvzr hullct. siiglitlI slInrlI-r in run": the .22- 2. .\ll the models tested are rcpunlura. except lIIr ton~ rated It?ugur Thu. un-nuc title has II sinnlt? ucIIon. Yuu uIIcrntI: it by pimltiug IlanI II hinged lever cunntling licncutll. llII: Iriggu The rillI tlII: i i. all. the \nrminl rillc n. IIst A _l_Iul_lI:: that hits Ihc 'nrgut II I. Dupll.? nl has yqu nl can still bring down a deer. tIut iI may II prairie dug. crow nr Tu Inccl our slnnIlanl accuracy rillc often tIr lIiI :Imall targets long rillc must he Inl grouping: its shuts on circle IIlmut iIIl:lI diameter "Ill IIme minute ul angle. nr MOA). We ?tte-i each ri?I I I: lIigh- high- :copic sight and. after 50- shut? lIrI-nlr. In,? '?rcrl grnupsu-t shots lru: II a rest i We tested all the 'illcs with nmmunilimi ulIIl checked most of them with carclully hand-loaded nmmuhi- tion as well. A: would be expectedx the ri?es Iircd th both types of ammo prov-ml mnre consistently uccurn't: the hnnIJ- loaderl t)pc With .Ihe product. n3. check- ruled TradeIumrlI, example. 0:-Ill side the MOA commercial ummu. within the with hand- loaded ammo. Nine Innzlels Iverc jurlgerl consislently oi achIrae) ?ill: either I pc oi ammuniIin.I. Tin:- ml) slightl) outside the limit; the Swing?. 31/0 rind the similar Werner: field were signi?cantly Further out. We checked ths: cnses Ior excessive. exnnminn. IAII checked out satisfactorily, .ndicatiAg that Inaes ?red in those ri?es could prohaht .) be rclor: Jed up to about 20 or 30 times. 'IWIile linng.? Ir accuracj. we priced the quality ot'lhc trigger pull and the smoothness and case of of the bolt and the repeating mechanism. An I: group, 'Iur varmint ri?es exhibited better trigger performance most guns-)1 other type: CU 'I'nr [listed in the past hat is as it should be since a good trigger pull?light without noticeable creep?contributes greatly to the ac- curacy a vaminter must have. A pull of tour or ?ve pounds is about right A pull may cost you in steadin?ns; a lighter pull risks . Yuu may have to adjust llIL' trigger pull?or are a gun do it?oncu yuu get the ri?e home. We trigger pulls on most oi the lusludlrillcs II litl udgud tho I received but the pull mm utljuulalilc' on till bul the [limo lawns-t ranked models. Where trigger IlIIpvcd noticeable creep, it's mentioned the Ratings. The liglitust trivgcr pull was on lrudulul Illa. wl iclI has double-set trigger. To set llIu lriggzr, the that lire: the rifle, you must first pull the rear trigger hard (about seven pounds on our Imnplul. 'l'lIIn the front trig; er rtsponlls to II pull that can sulul) In very light indeed Ours wus utlluslud (in less than II (mu Iml pull. Flue inc chuck-ruled module; IIcrc judgwl we I pond in . lmtl' trigger pull and lsuc 1585 Ill course. llwy were judged mnsialm meeting the minimum MOA crilurlun. loaded ammunition The sixth Inked rillc ill!) pole?ntinll} dangerous lid? liral -'_llI clearance bettveen the trigger lri when llic trigger was pulled will: the thing you 6r a friend might: Illicit drills or trying it for limit. the triv return to its lorIInrd position. I?lml witli lack pIIsilirIn the rifle would lIrI- willmul wanI? time the safety w?ns moved to the pusilion.'l lion persisted for more than [00 rings lncloru Wine in and performed normally. An unwary cauScd a serious accident by then Although we judged the dc?cien'cy man: It so thin a degign shortcoming, we Ila 700mm. 'ol it. We pould Will I lztlIlu, pugu ll) unpublc :Ic WIIH all 'uur ngI?Il Elm (mum:~ Ii: Inullunw lriggut uyur might mp. ?cull unrated. lit: IIYunc I?u?y will: build tltu; lulled Igur in the: ug?tlic null liu?lt HulIty Ill- lliE tiltII'L. ll tilt: luggi- [Ill We ulnd'v other grip only did Itiun IIllu'r will pull il Savage ll lI?iclIl lIuI llImIIuIl lIcllurgI; tlIcrl/y, Sn?) clu Ct "lltn clicult did prpvil that We jUjg lriuljm' tn the grip. Special speciul lunluruu 'l?lII: vn twchI to unload cut you lluor plntull rcmovnblul hx judged Rather loud and upland lt muguziim. I 1 .tllc Huluty ?In, nun: 5t rcIurIm ill-lull guvc wulglit the Rating: ll) cltuckuring lproving duvicuu. 'l'lIuHu Iluulilicu ullcm IllI curuncu of tile rifle {ml mullur lf'l many pur uucm) uluo llIu lmldillg and lirintl Cuud, Blm' llt?lpll you ll ?rm grip; ruined clIu plucc lmlpa pusllinn yuur lIcud lor II gum lighting p? urc. 'llIc Ilotku of all ?ve models (linger. Shuagu 3/11) and ll/Iulur IliHcIl und all but the chu'uglm Ipcukurud grim and lnmuudu. Cut Izlluckurlnv . uuluul rumuvul wuudl pmvidm tlIun impruumnl Izllcukming. linger. A mid mm llIc .S'Imugu . Savage 34' and Western Hull! imprumunl ulmcluu'iul; 'ud nol ulmrp mmugli yuur iIIg till the llcmingum 700, llmugh int may drive nmuuzl ll guml IluId looking ills game. SI) Illuuld pl rillII quickly, without working mud: Iurlridg llrruughl uclilm (it ll dIngI-mn: lo gun i I. II mull illegal). Willi night til the Install Icpml {i remove cartridge: cusily llIruuglI ll lIlIIgu a - a?o In the 1970?s, gun examinations of rifles returned by customers were conducted by Prosser.? On many occasions, Mr. Prosser examined rifles wherein complaints were made that the rifle had fired upon release of the safety or closure of the bolt. At varying times, examined rifles would be found to have metal shavings or chips or other conditions that reduced the engagement between the sear and the trigger connector. Remington  Produced  Documents  Bates   #  AL0029765,   PPS03693,   AL0029724,   AL0029723,   AL0029714,   and  AL0029713 MODEL: Apr. a z? 2277.7 min 6W Nb ?'rqs FIRE-D NO TYPE$5ny 6372/20 ?s'mnama' M, - .- -. ODDS: 5/0509 Hmimxu' 501.;- (31.055: avg-?gm? Mtg-x, 1 Lug/cm: aqo?c, B?gEc? 02mins; .: I 035-: 2 APPROVED: ,cmsam'azz, No - ?Leaironm CONDITION: B-Eok?o?- 43-30mm: EXHIBIT gammy camp-?55 magma-m . mac-ea ,5 - .- CoucENrear2-5 "ac-(us ?2 FULL- NA: roar; Pour/05 5:29;: Coax/51:51; 0 [Afr-=5 02o. 1 AL 0029703 - I ., "if a. I m. 1/47 mm asiS?car "8112353?? ubna?. 700 .519? mam; common. . . . 5100.50 - . . - um: 51-1-8804} ?nk/5.559common; Guns} 4' 64a 1-2453 lt- - . . m. mom 5.5.x: .- mam rm: coon: 5.5/4 I mum: 0.x. IW I . . f? ?Jon.? .3006: mm arms: . I mabxan Bx: ap?awx?? 0-31 . ?930va 0mm: . . APPROVED: '1?me 1V0: A I . 1551?!?th 0095mm (banged, Broken, Old 'Btylaj .o No ?za'mas? ~54"er 5575;959- a .008 MIN: ?ance's: (44:0 Foul-w: Jae-m Bangeran/ 9f? (fan/Mic: ran: .- comm?! Nil-'4 #1;qu momm: z. an: ?in . comm: 7705-:- mm a. ?nu [5?5 :msm/ 7215? 72mm are Aw Edbuc?y 771:5 Coumrg-rae- Jan-'2 a .Ma?v/r 79.1?3? [aux/Ala; 7-703 Dow?vf RD- 2 15?61 55- EUR REPORT mam: '1 . 70o 50L \Iom N514 I "Rf; V, ?-72 ll. . . 570715110195 rmm'mo TYPE10159. a, oonoimm . mm; ,4 622 353PROOF: . mam; Tm'rx. 87 300333: 195? /69 amino: - ., - - 2 59062 33mm OPENING: .4 . 0320mm BY: 6 saouwms: -- I -, . APPROVED: 0?41 . . umovzn: 1' 1?me .b/0 . . . APPROVED: '00?on (Managed, Broken, ylo - 55192. 721. (52 ?Nd?c?EME/vr . 15 O20) qungs? 0N 55:912. 9Nn\dw2 72/6558.? 7a noBD (Mona?.? (.374) 05/ (1.083 (51,1752 I1?1vqr 7?0 7%)pym 2923/: cmmum; 1415511255 14/115? H51?uf1155v 7715 ~5955 Qt?: mommrz 1,1: ,D?w-ul EX ao aw warms: (cw?D 1/1415. Esra/W r-c 81/1212: 9254/5117-1114 ?Tz/a?ge 1 HI (Ear?0Q l??Ok?L? UP 7?0 A/rp? .- I Mun?1 114:1 5512:: WHICH 0112 1/0* 141:" 1/ RD 2 15.61 . - . (?477% . oM? GUN WINATIOR REPORT NUMBER: MODEL: it"; 1&9 fL mm I IonOUTS 91: wonx\ one.590: 7'5 K: wrung i . FIRED mo TYPE: 7' ?rrJ?u/ea? as oonm'rlom . - . 6 43 a 9-40 95.52.448.955: 97 514?? PROOF: 16.6.10. ?23. TEST: 8 4? 77% HEADING: 243 BREECH OPENING mzoon. snpuwms: O-IQ APPROVED: gamma: 0 #9 TEST: mmovm: APPROVED yle) Fgr?Y, ?zoov? ?217" HE ?2:0 015? .an. :5 (Damaged, 5? 027? Crew xvi/413350 OCMPONENT CONDITION . y' 7,216652 CON/vscroz Ema-296; 5N 3 Emmi; . ?g (:52 .47? 2A, MEG raw .. 17170", 7?15 Fitz/Afr 7'0 FoauoN/yaNA/z 2? 7 2" - 0 Al' hummf meaLx. '7 'T'Dknoh: G000 . . 7000/39? \J?ora?? Eur?? PHD DATE 73 . E7 C?uk?f' him77x73? Loounmonl. . baggy/55.2244 8 #30926: HEP- 8'7? Loom? ~H.7u1v13il?3: 7 - 'g 9'12. 7 .-. 494?5f?": .REGQLL )APPROVED. -. . 0 i? .7 .K'Tms'rz-f "?ompoxm CONDITION (Damaged E?bokon' .5 Afro/CA Chi/P.) Egrwr'fi?f?, 7665,42: gh?O . . #530 Ef?gw? Ff Co: Wavy/MgF?xch n5 Box?7* M/mo? EXHIBIT '3183? Zoo-22? Z7 9?0 ijpy 7?0. [Down ?7775 #?ngAM?p MAID ?Mfr. h/Ex?ap?MouJ/M/ /Mr, 24950.? foal 743%, .L our/Ef'o Fox?Low LOOZ9713 In each of the preceding examples, rifles returned with complaints that the rifle fired without a pull of the trigger were described as being in either “good” or “new” condition. In 1973, the Australian government banned importation of Remington Model 700’s until Remington undertook measures “to correct what they declare is an unsafe trigger mechanism.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2505356 EQUESTZEIAD can. an a- memo? STREETS. SILVERWATER . PHONE 5433922' ALL MAIL If]: P. 0. BOX 143. ERMIHGTOH 211s CABLE AM TELEGRAPHIG ADDRESS ?wmwounED? SYDNEY aannc'HoErLcEs: BRISBANE MELBOURNE ADELAIDE PERTH AND AN WELLINGTON AUCKLAND CHRISTGHURCH Lozpo r- d? '57" DPT: LN 22nd March Attention Mr. Cigce?g? r? it?21?*? A Remington Arms CO. Inc., F2 939 Barnum Ave., . ., Brid gepo rt 7 1973 8 5A a . CONDECTICUT Imam IONAL SALES ,Gentlemen, PROHIBITIVE FIREARM IMPORTS 700 The Australian Commonwealth Police in conjunct?.on with .Departmont of Customs 'and Excise have siezed all 700 and 5418 5 firearms offour recent shipments and will not release them untxl we undertake to correct what they doolare is an unsafe mechanism?" .m This current problem is the result of a Sltuatlon described. Remington modified the trigger mechanism of the Model 700 by adding a trigger screw lock screw to prevent improper adjustment of the trigger for rifles exported to Australia. Remington failed to make this change on rifles that stay in the United States. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2535635 mo - ms mass as?) $08 amtasomL 3131' A t- .. q?L Isl/.1533.? .fnL?wlmm?. I ??gg?gnwz r"For Australian use only: substitute Trigger Engagement followed by Trigger Engagement Screw Lock ?I?rluuer [monument screw??Fm 91:20 (M15 a mains out-amt pt screw) I?m- niu?nta-Hmnma ain't-? Iliahul-?Hm-d 12? tumor iguana-195nm; aw?w-J 91 3 7! winger .l?lu {21?371/ mm: For mm ?and Version, walnut-"aim . Tritium Rousing Anaemia-y ?32905 ,Uummy Plan [5146? 40?: 81311:?: - 0 wanna: amp Harem: ?54m {toms nag ram: 8mm} - . . humming ?og-ow - ?17853 ?that; Dan ram: germ] i 2.53 magnum whit {lemme tangy, . ?tiagnr spring Wigner Connector - 3.19461 "For Australian use only: substitute Trigger screw Front followed by Trigger Screw Lock Screw." Trigger Assembly NAME 333? I NO 61 1' hair?? your]. an YYPE u, . . y. A three-year history of complaints of “Fires on Safe” resulted in a conclusion that all such complaints were “the result of minimal ConnectorSear engagement.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  AL0029705 ,jwa'/Carr 'j-pn??o?oj- Fires on Follows dovn Over three years ago, all gun category began to be referred to i P.E. C. for exnminetion and agn . It began to be readily apparent that these guns were all the resul mi?i?ig Connector-Seer engagement. In June or 1972, an operation was initiate {53333\Ehe adjustment on a comparator which ensured a minimum engagenent of .01 It in my Opinion that review of guns, the case of Damaged Actions or Pertonal Injury guns, in no longer justified an hould be discontinued. TO BE SAFE.- FIRST THINK YOU MIGHT NOT Complaints from the field were consistent with Remington’s internal testing. In one 4-month period in 1975, Remington experienced 46 instances of Fire on Safety Release or “Follow Down,” during its quality control testing. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2506096 To @36de DATE JZIFEW FROM . FSR HALF 14 7?07an lob' 70 L3 5? 97 55 FSR FIRES WHEN Skew: RELEASED - SELF an. 90 - JARJ orr- (Hnmmep. qu To 57m ENGAGED mm FALLS Down w__u__eu 624 Lena.) FD Run-us bound {000(qu plEtE FAILS To Enema mm Same. My) Emu: WECocmue cAm sumo; 5F THE 1391.1" Tb THE FIRED Posme). F05 FIRES ou (Gun waH SAFE 1&1qu Posnrnou We}! T215552. LS Puma) SNN \Jou'r deUL SELF ExpL. --1915 Dam Fem baa. A9411. on?! A “follow down” is essentially a firing of the rifle, although in a “soft” follow down, there is insufficient energy in the firing pin for the rifle to actually fire. By late 1979, in spite of “hundreds” of customer complaints, Remington attributed all such complaints to “tampering”, “over oiling” or some “other unauthorized alterations.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2543636 INTIR-DEPARTM MAL CORRESPONDENCE eggs eggs fen/7&7 . 3V YOUR LETTER TO ONE SUBJECT 1' February 22,-1979 . . . . - 45W .. awn. . TO: E.G. LARSON . .l f: -: . ,4 FROM: E. m. 2? 2?6' 1? . 3-. 'h SUBJECT: RIFLES RETURNED FOR FIRE ON SAFE RELEASE Since the Model 600 recall, hundreds of people owning Model 70,0 and other model firearms have contacted Remington alleging that their guns have fired when pushing the safety from on safe to off safe position without touching the trigger. . . To date, all such inquiries have been handled by requesting then: rifle be returned to. Ilion for examination and repair at no charge._. Examinations of the returned guns received at Ilion have revealed no factory defects. All problems that have been found are due to customers tampering with the trigger adjusting sorews,? over oii- - . ing, (1. E. motor oil, salad oil, etc.) and other unauthorisfed- terations. . ., cm.- -. . - Several models returned are old obsolete Models rifles, .3 some being 30 years old, that are worn from hard 113e,; including the trigger assemblies. We do not have any replacement assemblies these models: therefore, requiring extensive alteratiOnsr' to p' Model 700 trigger assemblies for installation at?no: charge. ?fi .1- NAI 52.51;: at}: .3.- Each firearm returned requires 20 minutes examinatiomtimefoz: each of three (3) engineers and to $30. 00 Anna" Serviced charges for time and parts to make-f the repairs,?- total?in pgr' -mate1y $50.00 to $55.00 per gun: on: Eno charge basis? Vow?:- I believe that we should review this problem with? bug, Legs . partment and, if possible, reward our letters to customers on- these. . - . alleged incidences to read: "Return your rifle; for our" examinatiow" -. and, if the rifle is found to be; factory defective, ?the repairs ?5 will be made at no charge." If these guns have. been tampered with; . . neglected, or parts are worn because of usage. the customer 5 should be responsible for the repairs. . - - . . {In order to put this problem into proper prospective: 500 guns returned, examined and repaired on a no charge basis, is costing our Company between $25,000 and $27, 000. - . Remington,  however,  realized  it  had  never   informed  customers  about  “improper   cleaning  or  improper  lubrication”.    “We   must investigate  this  more  fully.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  AL0017502 AL0017502 SA IT x6). location (have to? . Ho. '0 MW STOP, LOOK. AND LIVE Even by Remington’s own assessment, 2% of all Model 700’s could be “tricked”, a condition whereby the safety could be placed in an intermediate position between “safe” and “fire” or would “fire off safe.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2508949 Ilioh, New york January?ae, 1980 E. HOOTON, JR. MODEL 700 Mums T0 ARMS SERVICE 6-13-78 1?15-79 Before 1975 $222.. To Date 29333.3?. I. Total Tested 0 2,162 32376 II. Failed Trick Test Customer Caused 8 - 38% 11} 57% 22 55% Other - M15 .2 - .3633 . - .3973 12 23 35 Fires Off S?fe Customer Caused a - .99% 20 .8r% ?29 - .86% Other . - M1, .206Hall Plant Manager WM . K. Boyle . Asst. Plant Manager mm Customer complaints continued. Out of 133 complaints received between July 1979 and January 1980, 44 were “verified.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2508943-­45 c, - aints Verified - . . . I . 7m - REMINGTON ARMS co. 0 mas comm mc RECEIVED J: - - REMINGTON A - . r, T- W- Rewsbn, Who. Rifle discharges when Safety is released metal No. 19 Imamoze?atwemw. . .MARLarson. . . - . Causes: No. WM sums . 02MB ILION RESEARCH 9.) Insufficient Sear lift 3 01/? Tri er bent 1 YOUR TO ONE SUBJECT ONW c3 Awaiting screIIs. adjusted 0 a New York outside of factory 8 March 5, 1980 a) Safety Detent ball missing 3. e) Excess oil in housing 1 . . Interior of housing dirty 1 Excess movement of Trigger 1 E. HOOTON, JR. Trigger binds on Trigger Guard 1 i meess clearance - Trigger and . Trigger Pin 1? (mum FIRE mass . 3) Safety mt realm?? 1 . my} ?8?me 18?. 2)Fo]lows1)own . Total N0. 8 In remnae to Earl mson's letter to D. J. Smite dated January 23, 1980, Causes- No the following data is supplied. Listed are items where Bolt Action ?rearms were re?lmrned for a safety complaint. We have been reporting on Sea: binds lb all customer returned Model 700's that failed the trick test and fires off b) Adjusting Sm?ews adjusted. safe (see attached letter). outside of factory 2 Producti c) Connector broken 1 on - . for the. Total No. Unable Total No. 3112:: :Ee?ai?pgidSear 1 Model Period Complaints to Dquieete Verified . 700 83,862 133 89 MI Egg ??335 . 1?5) 13* Cgm?aints Venricdpossd72-1 - 1 1 1. Model 700 dontd. 3 i- i . 3) Accidental Discharge . Total N0. 2 _?_ogglaints - Unable to Duplicate Total No. - w: 32:. . I. Model 700 3 Insufficient Seer-lift 1 Adjusting Screws adjusted 1 Rifle discharged when Safety is released 51+ outside .Of factory . 1 2 Trigger stiff misfires 1 3 Follows Down . lI 3a: Does Not Work Total No. 3 1} Bolt closes herd and discharges" 2 5 Delayed firing 5 Causes: 6 Fires on closing Bolt when unloading 3 7g Rifle discharged when Bolt handle raised 2 Safety clearance cut in 8 Push Safety to position - slight touch of Stock miscut - 1 Trigger and ri?e discharges 1. b) Safety binds in Receiver 1 9) Accidentu discharge 5 c) Detent brill missing 1 - 10g Fires on closing 8 Safety does not work - '12; Defective Safety - works hard 1. 5) Fires on Closin . - 1+ 1.3 Pointy Trigger gun goes off 1 . 114) Goes off prematurely 1 9313-195. lo" Interior of housing dart" - 011.14,' 1 Sear rubs in housing 1 c) Adjusting Screws adjusted outside of factory - 1 d) Connector broken 1 El Meohnraoe w-ch flu-Peta; w- Remington ignored even reports from its own authorized gunsmiths, trained to recognize and service returned rifles. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  R2531937 MM. i a. - ?ng1. ?mte? 7/35i53 ??jf Rename: . Donald McCluxu .nup m-ucumr?una k-walnithisb?r- ?We? Mme-l7" I . . mnwaa 1908 B, George Washington Nay Richland, .4 ZH199352 ~No. Street City State :unsmith on Premises? Yes If not, give address below: -unanith'n Address Zip No. I: Street City . State ecommended List 5 Open Acct. (39 5 Disc. 30% .Dealer (X) I Large Small 3x NEW GUN REPAIR INTERVIEWED and 1) (I. ??hepm: - 1) . PHOELEIS ENCOUNTERBD: L. Guns fire when safety-sWitch moved to offqusition. 3. M-1146 l2 Ga. - Needed oversize locking block. a?eaAL DISCUSSION 4r. Wheeler toId me they have had 5 in the 135: Year wh1ch the owners claimed fired when the safety was pushed to the off peeition. All were returned to Arms Service per our instructions. The guns came back with new triggers installed but no explanation of what. if anything, was found vrong. He said a couple of the gun owners were unhappy because their gun nad to be sent to the factory, but he told them that.was Company policy, so they accepted it. . Still some M-ll48 shotguns coming in; usually need an oversize locking clock to correct the problem. By the 1990’s, the rate of customer complaints was “constantly increasing.” Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  PR0604   PR0604   and  PR0545-­46 22/95 14:21 1&818 374 3332 3 .BRYAN CAVE KG Q5005 REMIHETHN ARMS IRE. anmm?ni. Raz?gmzz iguanazs YO we LETTER ro ONE SUBJECT . January 25, 1990 GREEN anu: J.A. STEKLM RE: unoo RIFLE - ALLEGED ACCIDENTAL FIRIHBS The number of Model 700 rifle: being returned to the factory bu- caus? of alleged accidental flrin.g malfunctions ls constantly in- creasing. 170 were rety}ned tb Product Service fuf examination in 1939 with various accidental firing complaints. T6 date this y?ar, 29 ha?e been returned. JAs:tpp cc:. ErIcSpn Hutton In the mid-1990’s, Remington commissioned an outside laboratory to investigate the legitimacy of complaints of unintended firings. H.P. White Laboratories also experienced a fire on safety release with one of the rifles it was commissioned to examine. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  MA2839-­40   MA2839-­40   and  MA2845 TBS: REPORT PREFA .- em TESTING OF. MODIFIED MODEL 700, This reportpr?esents the results of Extreme Environment Testing of modified. RIFLE, FIRE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES Model 700 Rifle Fire control Assemblies comparatively with currently fielded, Medal. 7.00. Rifle Fire Control Assemblies. The tests were conducted 11': accordance with "Remington Arms company, Inc. Purchase Order Number MIR-0792. Prepared For Remington Arms CompanY..Inc. Research and Development Technical Center 315 West Ring Road Elizabechcown, Kentucky 42701 3356-5555 if?b?af?f?th?gk?iremem ?Control; 155.11.: . . 1r5.2 None of the extreme environmental. testing" produced inadvertent firings with either Fire Control Group configuration,' 1J?.z.1 All at rhe malfunctions indoced by conditions of the tests i?terrupted the firing sequence and are therefore categorized as having no egfecc en safety. 'By 8.9. White Laboratory, Inc. 3114 Scarboro Road Street. Maryland 21154 1995 1'5?3r1 A Safety Manipulatioo Test was sonducted?mhich per?orheo One hundred trials with each of the rive Modified Fire Control Groups, the three previously tested, unmodified Fire Control Groups and two additional, unmodified.rire Control Groups not previously tested (10 guns/100.0 testing) with no additional inadvertent ?firings?r . . . Between 1992 and 2004, Remington had received approximately 3,273 customer complaints of unintended firings. In summary, between 1992 and 2004 there were approximately five (5) reported unintended firings per week Summary  of  Remington  Produced  Documents  Bates  #  MAE0012056-­530 SUMMARY OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FROM WILLIAMS PRODUCTION BATES STAMPED DOCUMENTS MAE 00012056 ~00012530 YEAR TOTAL FIRE ON FIRE ON FIRE ON 0TH 4 that COMFLAMS SAFETY BOLT BOLT ER are 600 RELEASE CLOSURE OPENING or 660?s 1992 127 - 75 36 4 12 5 1993 38 24 8 2 4 3 1994 409 205 126 6 72 18 1995 262 136 78 18 30 15 1996 179 104 54 9 12 6 1997 177 110 55 6 6 4 1998 146 92 41 7 6 4 1999 167 98 53 13 3 10 2000 151 96 38 9 8 11 2001 438 297 118 12 11 35 2002 555 325 140 44 46 41 2003 354 214 106 8 26 25 2004 270 158 81 13 18 16 TOTALS 3273 1934 934 151 244 19-3 Between  1993  and  2006, Remington paid over $18 million in settlements and judgments to people injured or killed as a result of unintended firings. Remington  Produced  Document  Bates  #  WIL09027 Remington Settlements Post 12/1/93 Models 700. Seven and 710 $7,377,999 9 matters $5,532,000 10 matters ?03-12/31/06 $5,559,680 15 matters - SUBJECT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER WILLIAMS V. REMINGTON dlg??zfc? WIL 09027 Remington failed to heed its own advice expressed in 1945 to “visualize our customers in place of Government inspectors awaiting our products for test and acceptance.”