TriggerTech Recalls Carbide Triggers Due to Cracking of Carbide Rollers


In keeping with TriggerTech’s commitment to safety we are conducting a voluntary recall in response to a condition we identified with triggers that utilized carbide rollers “Carbide Triggers.” This recall applies to all Carbide Triggers which were manufactured between June 5, 2015 and July 28, 2016.

In one recent case, a carbide roller cracked and remained intact in a Rem 700 Carbide Trigger for approximately 2,000 rounds. The cracked carbide roller caused accelerated and unusual wear. A gradual reduction in pull weight was observed and the trigger eventually got to the point where the rifle, with the safety off, could discharge without trigger activation. In TriggerTech’s spirit to always do the right thing TriggerTech is voluntarily recalling all Carbide Triggers.

This voluntary recall involves REM 700 Carbide Triggers, AR15 Carbide Triggers, and Excalibur, Mission, Killer Instinct and Parker Crossbow Carbide Triggers. Carbide Triggers can be identified by their serial number or date code. The serial number/date code can be found on the side of the Rem 700 triggers, and on the bottom of the AR15, Killer Instinct, Excalibur, Mission, and Parker triggers.

By the end of July 2016, TriggerTech transitioned to 100% stainless steel roller production in response to reports of cracking carbide rollers in crossbow triggers (these reports did not give cause for safety concerns). Stainless steel rollers are significantly stronger and more impact resistant than carbide rollers and TriggerTech has determined that stainless steel rollers will not exhibit the same potential cracking issue as carbide rollers.

This online tool can be used to determine if your TriggerTech trigger is a Carbide Trigger and to guide you through the recall process. Please download the Carbide Roller Recall Instructions for model specific carbide identification details.

TriggerTech will correct any and all potential conditions at no cost to the consumer as part of our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. TriggerTech will also be providing affected end consumers with a 20% off promo code to the TriggerTech webstore.

Does This Safety Notification Apply to My Trigger?

TriggerTech Triggers containing carbide rollers “Carbide Triggers” , were manufactured between June 5, 2015 and July 28, 2016, MAY fall within the scope of this Voluntary Recall.

Product

TriggerTech triggers which utilize carbide rollers (“Carbide Triggers”)

Download Carbide Trigger Identification Guide (.pdf) Download Recall Notice Poster (.pdf)

Incident

TriggerTech has received one report of a Rem 700 Carbide Trigger firing unexpectedly, but has received no reports of injuries.

Product Being Recalled

This voluntary recall involves six models of Carbide Triggers that were manufactured between June 5, 2015 and July 28, 2016 and were sold:
i) direct from TriggerTech (web/phone);
ii) through retailers and dealers nationwide; and
iii) installed in Guns/Crossbows Manufactured by: Prairie Gun Works (R700), Gunwerks (R700), SAC Firearms (R700) and Killer Instinct (Crossbow)

Potential Safety Issue

Certain carbide rollers can crack and the trigger may continue to function. Extended use (2000 +/- cycles) with a cracked carbide roller may cause accelerated and unusual wear and, if the weapon’s safety is off, subsequent discharge of the weapon may occur without trigger activation by the shooter. Shooters will likely experience significant and obvious deterioration in trigger performance prior to the occurrence of any such discharge.

Remedy

Replacement, unless product is discontinued, then refund.
(PARKER is refund only)

Product Description

The following table describes the Carbide Triggers that are being recalled:

Carbide Trigger Identification

TriggerTech took the proactive step to serialize its products and it is therefore possible to use serial number/date code information to determine if you have a Carbide Trigger. In some cases, there are shortcuts you can use to determine if you have a Carbide Trigger without referencing the serial number/date code

The serial numbers / date codes of the recalled Carbide Triggers are listed in the table below:

Photos

 Rem 700

AR15

Killer Instinct

Excalibur

Mission

Parker

Action Required

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Carbide Triggers and contact TriggerTech for a free replacement trigger with a stainless-steel roller or a refund for discontinued products.

We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers however your safety, and the safety of those around you, is our primary concern.

If you have any questions about this voluntary recall or the process for obtaining a replacement trigger or refund, contact TriggerTech at 1.888.795.1485 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST or online at triggertech.com/pages/safety for more information.

Shooters are Reminded

  1. If you experience any deterioration in trigger performance, do not load or shoot any weapon. Discontinue use until the weapon has been inspected and repaired if necessary by qualified personnel;
  2. In the interest of safety, do not load or shoot any weapon equipped with a Carbide Trigger until the Carbide Trigger has been replaced;
  3. Failure to discontinue use of a weapon equipped with a Carbide Trigger may create a risk of harm to you or others; and
  4. Always follow the .

NRA GUN SAFETY RULES

1. The fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling are:

ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction
This is the primary rule of gun safety. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot

When holding a gun, rest your finger alongside the frame and outside the trigger guard. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

ALWAYS Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To Use
If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

2. When using or storing a gun, always follow these additional NRA rules:

Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gasses that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protection should be worn by shooters and spectators.

Never use alcohol, over-the-counter drugs or prescription drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun-safety rules.

Additional Safety Precautions
Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

Cleaning
Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.

A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.

Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

Carbide Trigger Recall FAQ

Q. How do I determine if my TriggerTech trigger is a Carbide Trigger?

A. TriggerTech took the proactive step to serialize every product it shipped. Because of this it is possible to use serial number/date code information to determine if you have a carbide roller. In most cases there are shortcuts you can use to determine whether or not your TriggerTech is a Carbide Trigger without referencing the serial number/date code. Please see http://safety.triggertech.com for detailed instructions on how to determine if you have a Carbide Trigger.

Q. Are all Carbide Triggers a potential safety concern?

A. Most Carbide Triggers should last their entire reasonable service life without any issue. However, TriggerTech has received some reports of Carbide Rollers cracking with apparently normal use. When a Carbide Roller cracks it is possible that the broken roller may stay in place and enable to trigger continue to function. If the cracked Carbide Roller remains in place for ~2,000 rounds, it may cause accelerated and unusual wear in the trigger that could lead to unsafe conditions, including discharge of the weapon without trigger activation by the shooter if the weapon’s safety is off.

Q. What causes a carbide roller to break?

A. TriggerTech believes that a small number of carbide rollers are prone to cracking with normal use. TriggerTech believes the vast majority of carbide rollers are intact and would last well past their reasonable service life if not subjected to excessive force such as from slamming a bolt shut, piercing a primer or dropping your firearm/crossbow.

Q. How would I know if something is wrong?

A. Each carbide roller crack or break is unique, however, where there is a cracked carbide roller you should notice a change in trigger characteristics (pull weight, creep and/or feel). If you notice any such changes, discontinue use of the trigger and immediately contact TriggerTech at 1-888-795-1485 or take the trigger to your gunsmith or crossbow servicer.

Q. If I shake my TriggerTech Trigger I can hear some rattling. Does this mean I have a Carbide Trigger with a broken carbide roller?

A. No. All TriggerTech triggers utilize a free-floating roller and it is normal to hear it rattling in all our triggers with the exception of the AR15 triggers.

Q. What Do I Do If I have a Carbide Trigger?

A. In the interest of safety, do not load or shoot any weapon equipped with a Carbide Trigger until the Carbide Trigger has been replaced. Please visit http://safety.triggertech.com for instructions as to how to arrange for a free replacement trigger, refund (in the case of Parker Carbide Triggers) or optional refund (in the case of Excalibur Carbide Triggers SKU 022).

Q. How many incidents have been reported?

A. TriggerTech has received 16 reports of Carbide Rollers cracking with apparently normal use. 12 of these cases have been in the Excalibur Carbide Triggers, two with Mission Carbide Triggers and two with R700 Carbide Triggers. There was one incident involving a R700 Carbide Trigger where weapon discharge was observed without trigger activation with the safety in the off position. TriggerTech has received no reports of injuries or property damage.

Q. Has anyone been injured or killed using a Carbide Trigger?

A. There have been no deaths or injuries reported to TriggerTech related to Carbide Trigger product defects or due to accidental discharge of a firearm or crossbow with a Carbide trigger. It should be noted that due to the nature of the product (i.e., a component of a firearm trigger assembly), individuals may utilize the trigger as part of a firearm for protection and may cause death of individuals due to normal operation of the weapon and in compliance with the law. Those deaths are not reported to TriggerTech, nor are they tracked in any way.

Q. What do I do if there is not a dealer nearby?

A. We will help you find a reputable gunsmith or crossbow servicer in your area or assist you in returning the trigger to our offices for replacement or applicable refund.

Q. What is the fix for a Carbide Roller?

A. TriggerTech moved to 100% Stainless Steel Rollers at the end of July 2016 and TriggerTech has determined that stainless steel rollers will not exhibit the same potential cracking issue as carbide rollers, because:

  1. Stainless steel rollers are significantly stronger and impact resistant than carbide rollers. An independent impact test shows that the average strength and impact resistance of TriggerTech’s stainless rollers were 3.9x - 6.8x stronger than their carbide equivalent;
  2. The manufacturing process of stainless rollers is inherently stable as the drawing process requires a precise control of the material quality to produce the wire efficiently to the correct specification. Carbide relies on a sintering process that has the potential for microscopic local material discontinuities which may compromise the structure of the roller. TriggerTech believes that the breaking carbide rollers may result from defective component parts that were not detected by TriggerTech’s quality control procedures;
  3. TriggerTech’s in-house highly accelerated life test has demonstrated the potential for stainless rollers to last for over 500,000 cycles without failure (a typical sliding friction trigger was observed to fail after ~30,000 cycles on the same test); and
  4. TriggerTech now has many tens of thousands of triggers with stainless rollers in the field and no reports of a stainless roller cracking or otherwise failing.

Q. How long will it take to get my Replacement Trigger?

A. Minimizing any downtime for our consumers is a priority and TriggerTech has Replacement Triggers on hand for most Carbide Triggers. Our goal is to ship Replacement Triggers within five business days of receiving a Carbide Trigger. In the case of Killer Instinct, Replacement Triggers we will be ready in mid-August 2017.