Remington bolt head

[Scott Fisher]

I was looking at a new Remington 700 and noticed that the bolt head was not machined out round like the older ones I have seen.  There was a oval cut out on the inside of the bolt head opposite the ejector.  Does anyone know why this change was made?   :?

[Iowegan]

The old extractors were riveted in and the newer ones are held in by spring tension, thus the difference in shape.

[Scott Fisher]

Thanks for the reply. I am an inquisitive type and never noticed this change before. The bolt head looked odd with the oval shape. I knew Remington went to a rivetless extractor many years ago, around 1980 I believe, but I did not know Remington changed the way they machine the bolt head to fit the new extractor.  The new extractor must work fine, because I have herd very little complaints about them failing.  Again thanks for the info.  Just wondered.

[Iowegan]

Remington got some bad press when they changed the extractor. Nobody likes changes I guess. Turns out the new type extractors work very well and can be changed in the field. Many shooters bought a spare for their kit and probably still have them. Don't remove your extractor unless you have a new replacement. The spring arms get damaged from removal and may not work when reinstalled.