Remington 788 Trigger Assembly

In 1967 through 1970, Remington introduced anew series of rifles with their 788, 580, 581, 540X, 591, and 592. The 788 was a centerfire while the others were rimfire but they all had a couple of things in common, such as rear locking lugs and a newly-designed trigger assembly. For this article we will be focusing on the trigger assembly as they are all the same with the exception of the single-shot 540X bolt-action target rifle. Its trigger assembly is adjustable for weight, sear engagement, and overtravel.

Now that most of these rifles are hitting the 50-year mark, they are sitting in closets, gun cabinets, or safes and pulled out, oiled, then returned time and time again until they will not function. I have seen quite a few come into the shop with common problems, such as the bolt release is stuck, the safety will not work, the trigger is locked in place, or the bolt will not stay cocked. Those problems are all related to the trigger assembly.

Before getting into all the details, the reason for this article is information on this trigger assembly is either lacking or short sighted. In one of the assembly/disassembly books for the model 788, step six starts detailing removing the housing, safety, bolt stop, and sear spring. It then states, "Remaining components comprised of the trigger housing subassembly in this unit is factory assembled by precision equipment.

Disassembly of this subassembly is seldom necessary and is not recommended." The Remington Service Manual for these rifles states, "NOTE: Factory Service is required for all trigger housing assembly related problems, return the firearm to the factory for service." This trigger assembly is not all that complicated to warrant returning to a service center. Following this article, you will be able to disassemble and reassemble this trigger assembly, putting a non-functioning firearm back into service.

The cause for those malfunctions listed is twofold. One, the trigger housing and its associated parts fit very tight in the housing. Two, oil and dirt accumulated over several years contribute to the issue. To properly correct these problems, totally disassemble the trigger housing assembly. In doing so, I have come across some changes in the trigger housing assemblies. There are two different types of sears, safety switches, safety switch detents, and safety switch retainers.

The early model sear has a dogleg on its right side, the safety switch is a slightly different shape, the safety switch detent is small in shape compared to the later model, and the early model utilizes a pin instead of a screw as the late model to retain the safety switch at the front of the trigger housing. I have also found they have used a solid pins occasionally instead of a roll pin for the sear ons ome models.

Disassembly Using the Model 788 exploded view and parts list, the disassembly is as follows. Loosen the housing lock screw (20). Using a No. 3 (3/32) roll pin punch (080-000-244), remove the housing pin (21) and the housing is now removed from the receiver. Remove the safety switch pivot pin retaining washer (36) and safety switch retainer pin retaining washer (39) and carefully remove the safety switch retainer pin (38), safety switch pivot pin (34), and safety switch assembly (33).

This frees up the bolt stop (4), bolt stop spring (5), safety switch detent (36), and safety switch detent spring (37) which are under pressure behind the safety switch. Be careful not to lose them. Remove the trigger spring (47). Removing the pins (42, 46) frees up the sear (40) and trigger (44). Finally, completely remove the housing lock screw (20) and the housing is now completely stripped. Don’t let the word "Restricted" for these trigger and sear pins scare you. These are common roll pins.

With th eh ous ing stripped, all of the parts and housing can be cleaned. I normally use Kroil. On some occasions I’ve used acetone because the parts were so caked with dirt and oil that Kroil alone wouldn’t work. Prior to reassembly, clean the hole threads of the housing lock screw with a 6-48 tap. There have been some instances where the screw was not bearing on the receiver due to burrs in the screw hole and not securely fastened down.

Inspect the sear and trigger for chips or other damage, such as signs of having been the source of someone’s "trigger job." Check the trigger spring for signs of shortening and replace as necessary. The sear, trigger, and trigger spring are currently available from Numrich Gun Parts Corporation (gunpartscorp. com, Make sure the roll pins fit into the housing tight, replacing them as necessary.

For reassembly, when installing the trigger and sear using the roll pins, use a roll pin holder punch of appropriate size, such as a Brownells Roll Pin Holder Set (080-001-132). Install the trigger, the sear with the notch in the downward position, and the trigger spring to sit on the rear ledge of the trigger. Install the bolt stop and bolt stop spring, then the safety switch detent spring (37) and safety switch detent (36).

Place the safety switch (50) onto the housing while engaging the bolt stop (4) and the safety detent, Complete the safety switch installation by installing the safety switch pivot pin (34) with the retaining washer (35), safety switch retainer pin (38), and retaining washer (39.) Prior to installing the housing onto the receiver, apply a good grade of lubricating gun oil such as Slip 2000 or Break-Free CLP. In-

stall the housing onto the receiver using a specially-made slave pin. This slave pin will hold the housing in place and also hold the roll pin that secures the housing to the receiver. The slave pin’s major diameter is 0.195 x 0.250 in length with a minor diameter of 0.050 x 0.150 in length and overall length of 0.400. This minor diameter will hold the roll pin directly in line to be properly installed securing the housing to the receiver.

To install the housing, push the sear down onto the spring with the trigger held back. Line up the bolt stop with its hole in the receiver and push the housing into position. Using your slave pin, capture the housing assembly to the receiver. With the roll pin sitting on the slave pin held by the tail, install the roll pin attaching the housing to the receiver and snug up the housing lock screw. Install the bolt and perform a function and safety check.

With the rifle on safe you should not be able to lift the bolt handle or pull the trigger. Moving the safety to the fire position you should feel and hear a click which will allow pulling the trigger with a dummy round in the chamber. Open and pull back on the bolt and it should stop on the bolt stop. Depressing the safety switch past the fire position will allow removal of the bolt. Reinstall the bolt and do alive test fire and safety check at the range.

This simple repair should outlast the firearm’s owner by another 50 years! Note: While preparing for this article several different models crossed my bench. As a full time gunsmith for a retail store, it is difficult to hold up someone’s firearm for all the photos necessary for these articles. The Remington Service Manual only had the early model depicted in their book and an astute reader will notice photos of both early and late model trigger housings.

AG 1 Barrel Assembly 2 Bolt Assembly Bolt Final Assembly 3 Bolt Plug 4 Bolt Stop (Restricted) 5 Bolt Stop Spring (Restricted) 6 Butt Plate 7 Butt Plate Screw 8 Elevation Screw 9 Ejector 10 Ejector Pin 11 Ejector Spring 12 Extractor 13 Extractor Rivet 14 Firing Pin Assembly 15 Floor Plate 16 Floor Plate Screw 17 Front Guard Screw 18 Front Sight (also .22/.250 Rem.) 19 Front Sight Screw Front Sight Washer 20 Housing Lock Screw (Restricted) 21 Housing Pin (Restricted) 22 Magazine Assembly 23 Magazine Guide Bar 24 Magazine Guide Bar Screw 25 Rear Guard Screw Rear Sight Assembly 26 Rear Sight Base 27 Rear Sight Eyepiece 28 Rear Sight Leaf 29 Rear Sight Screw 30 Receiver Plug Screw 31 Rib (Rear Sight ) 32 Rib Spacer (Rear Sight) 33 Safety Switch Assembly (Restricted) 34 Safety Switch Pivot Pin (Restricted) 35 Safety Switch Pivot Pin Retaining Washer (Restricted) 36 Safety Switch Detent (Restricted) Remington 788 (Speci ications subject to change without notice) 37 Safety Switch Detent Spring (Restricted) 38 Safety Switch Retainer Pin (Restricted) 39 Safety Switch Retainer Pin Retaining Washer (Restricted) 40 Sear (Restricted) 41 Sear Pin (Restricted) 42 Stock Assembly Trigger Housing Assembly (Restricted) 43 Trigger Housing (Restricted) 44 Trigger (Restricted) 45 Trigger Guard 46 Trigger Pin (Restricted) 47 Trigger Spring (Restricted) 48 Windage Screw