The Remington Model 740 & 742: The Evolution of a Classic Semi-Auto Rifle

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Few rifles in Remington’s lineup have stirred as much debate—or admiration—as the Model 740 and Model 742. Often labeled the “Jam-O-Matic” by critics, these rifles still hold a unique place in firearm history as innovative, reliable-for-their-time, and a big step forward in semi-automatic hunting rifle design.

Let’s take a look back at how these two models came to be, what set them apart, and whether that infamous nickname is truly deserved.

The Origins: Remington Cuts Costs through Innovation and Efficiency

In 1950, Remington took a step away from hand fitting their firearms in an effort to cut costs for the company and the consumer. By relying more on machines and assembly lines for more efficient production, this new era for Remington allowed for mass production of parts that could fit multiple types of rifles and shotguns. The 1950's introduced some of Remington's most memorable and classic firearms to this day, including the Remington 870 pump action shotgun in 1950, the Remington 760 pump action rifle in 1952, and ultimately leading to the Model 740 semi auto rifle, introduced in 1955.

The Model 740 represented Remington’s vision for a modern, reliable, and field-ready semi-automatic hunting rifle. Between 1955 and 1960, Remington produced just over 250,000 of them.

The rifle debuted chambered in 30-06 Springfield, and over 75% of all 740s were built in that caliber. In 1956, Remington expanded offerings to include 308 Winchester, followed by 244 Remington and 280 Remington in 1957.

All versions featured a 22-inch barrel, gas-operated system, and were factory drilled and tapped for scope mounting — a big deal in the 1950s when optics-ready rifles were still rare. The four-shot detachable magazine featured a last-round bolt hold-open, and a clever release lever allowed shooters to drop one more round into the chamber without removing the mag — an impressive touch for its time.

See video of magazine bolt release lever in action HERE

Variants and Design

The Model 740 was offered in several trim levels: Standard, Deluxe, Peerless, and Premier. The differences mainly came down to wood grade, checkering, and finish, with all models sharing the same mechanical design.

These rifles were lightweight (around 7.5 pounds), ergonomic, and well-balanced — ideal for hunting. However, they weren’t without their quirks. Many shooters experienced cycling and feeding issues, especially when firing heavier-grain 30-06 rounds (180–220 grain).

This reliability problem led Remington back to the drawing board.

The Birth of the Model 742

By 1960, Remington unveiled the Model 742, a major mechanical redesign aimed at solving the 740’s reliability issues. The 742 introduced a new bolt design that improved cycling and overall function.

They also refined the front-end and barrel attachment system, which enhanced accuracy and consistency — an area where the 740 had struggled.

It’s important to note, however, that because of these internal redesigns, parts between the 740 and 742 are not interchangeable.

The 742 in Detail

The example discussed in the video is a 1977 Remington Model 742 chambered in .30-06, the most popular chambering by far. Like the 740, it featured a 22-inch barrel, drilled-and-tapped receiver, and that same four-shot detachable mag with a bolt release lever.

Production of the 742 ran from 1960 to 1980, with between 1.4 and 1.5 million rifles produced — an impressive 20-year run.

Remington continued offering Standard and Deluxe models, while discontinuing the Peerless and Premier lines. They also introduced a Carbine model with an 18.5-inch barrel, ideal for hunters who needed a lighter, shorter rifle for brush or dense forest hunting.

Calibers and Common Issues

The 742 was chambered in:

• 30-06 Springfield

• 308 Winchester

• 280 Remington

• 243 Winchester

• 6mm Remington

  
  

The notorious mechanical flaw that persisted from the 740 was the nine-lug bolt system. As the bolt cycled, it could “chatter” and wear down the receiver over time — especially with high round counts. For a typical hunter firing a few boxes a year, it wasn’t a major concern, but heavy shooters often saw significant wear.

Remington later addressed this with the introduction of the Model 7400 and Model Four, reducing the bolt lugs to four larger lugs and adding a steel insert in the receiver to improve durability and alignment.

The Ammo Factor

One factor often overlooked in discussions about the 740 and 742’s reputation is the ammunition of the time. In the 1950s and 60s, corrosive surplus ammo was cheap and widely available — especially in 30-06.

If shooters didn’t fully disassemble and clean their rifles after firing, the corrosive salts could attract moisture and cause rust in the gas system and action. Given that these were gas-operated rifles, proper cleaning was critical to reliability — something not every hunter in the 50s or 60s was diligent about.

So, were the malfunctions always the gun’s fault? Not necessarily. Many issues likely stemmed from ammo corrosion and lack of maintenance rather than poor design alone.

Do They Deserve the “Jam-O-Matic” Nickname?

It’s easy to criticize the Model 740 and 742 by today’s standards, but in their time, these were cutting-edge rifles. For two decades, the 742 alone sold over a million units, which hardly fits the profile of a failure.

Yes, they had their quirks — especially with heavier loads, high round counts, or poor maintenance — but for the average hunter in the 60s or 70s, these rifles did exactly what they were designed to do: put venison in the freezer with fast follow-up shots and solid accuracy.

Final Thoughts

The Remington 740 and 742 mark an important chapter in American firearm history. They represent Remington’s pursuit of a reliable semi-automatic hunting rifle long before modern gas systems made it commonplace.

While not perfect, these rifles remain collectible, nostalgic, and historically significant. If you’ve got one tucked away in your safe, take the time to clean and maintain it, and it should last you a lifetime.

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