How to Gunsmith the Remington 740 for a Quick Magazine Change

The 740 semi-automatic rifle was not a good seller for Remington when it was introduced in 1955. Within a few years it was pulled off the market, and Remington no longer stocks parts for it. Chambered for deer hunting, the rifle had design flaws that kept it from becoming well-liked. It came with a 5-shot magazine that set into a well just in front of the trigger. The design of the gun made the magazine changes slower than other guns. With a little cleaning and polishing, though, a magazine change can be quicker.

Things You'll Need

  • Gun cleaning supplies
  • Gun oil
  • Metal sandpaper, 1,000 grit
  • Teflon spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean the gun thoroughly, paying careful attention to the areas around the follower release button and the magazine release button. Dirt and debris may cause them to stick, delaying the reloading.

    • 2

      Press both buttons several times to test their smoothness. If they are catching or are hard to press, then add a drop of gun oil to the area between the button and the casing. Press the sticky button 5 or more times to work the oil into the parts. (If it is a gun that appears not to have been used much then spend an evening while watching television pressing both buttons hundreds of times. This often loosens up recalcitrant gun parts.)

    • 3

      Sand, lightly, the magazine well and the exterior of the magazine with 1,000-grit metal sandpaper until the parts have a smooth, polished look. Wipe away all the debris from the sanding.

    • 4

      Coat the magazine well and the magazine exterior with a light coating of machine oil or Teflon spray.

    • 5

      Test the operation by inserting an empty magazine into the well and pressing the release button while holding the rifle to your shoulder. The magazine should fall free under its own weight. If not, then examine where the metal of the magazine meets the well at the greatest contact point. Polish it again with the sandpaper, and add more lubrication.