Mike Walker, father of the Remington 700

[Jaykellogg]

About a week ago I heard that a resident of the retirement community where my parents live was selling his guns. I had never met the fellow, but I had sat with his wife at the table in the dining room. Last Thursday my brother and I went to see what might be for sale. We met (Merle) Mike Walker who I found out is a bench rest shooter. He told us he still holds a record for a 5 shot group at 100 yards, something like .047" center to center spread. He has machine tools in his garage and still builds bench rest rifles at the age of 99. Actually he will be 100 in November. In the garage shop I saw a sign from Remington thanking him for his service. I asked him about it and he told me had had worked for Remington Arms for 32 years and had invented (designed) the Model 700. He told me he held 12 patents mostly for trigger designs. Mike had rifle barrels all over the garage, some sitting on the concrete floor. He was currently working on two bench rest rifles, one for himself and another for a shooter, whom I don't know, who lives in Asheville. I asked about a trophy zebra skin and he said he had shot it on safari in Africa. There were others. I also saw awards on a shelf on the wall. I did ask if he had any guns for sale and he said he had nothing for sale. His wife I suspect is more interested in him selling than he is. I have heard that she has said he doesn't shoot much any more.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Mr Walker. IMO he is a treasure. I think his wife (second marriage for both of them) should let him have his guns whether or not he still shoots much. It is a huge part of his life. I hope I live as long as he has, still have my mental faculties as he has and still have my guns when I reach 100.

I googled Mike Walker and there is a lot about him on the Internet.

[Mike1969]

Thank you for sharing!

[kurmudgon]

Interesting, Thank You very much.

[I love1911's]

I believe he also had input into the design of the .222 Remington round. I could be mistaken of course. Either way I'm happy to hear of your encounter and hope that we can all turn out like him at such an advanced age.

[remnard]

I saw Mike on that bullshit expose about the model 700. Didn't he design the 721/722 also?

[internetguy]

Very cool. Once in a while you get to meet the real deal; I tip my hat to the gentleman.

[jcp907]

That is awesome. Still doing it at 99 years...clearly, he loves it!

[AUplainsman]

Great story! I'd take that man to lunch twice a week to hear some of his tales.

[L-A-R]

That's a great story. Merle Passed away earlier this month. He was a great friend of my grandfather from the early 1930's until my grandfather's death in the early 80's. They did a lot of shooting together in the 30's and 40's and later when they got together. I met him several times as a child and young man.

This comes to mind as I was going through old photos with my mother yesterday and there are many with my grandfather and Mr. Walker with their rifles from the 1930's. I googled him today and found that he had recently passed.

I feel fortunate to have inherited a 700-based .222 benchrest rifle that Mr. Walker had built for my grandfather in the 1960's. I can tell you that the trigger is superb, and I've never seen it as a safety issue unless completely mishandled (as with any firearm).

A lot of fond memories for me around Mr. Walker, the 700, and the .222

[Wa Jim]

Originally Posted by Jaykellogg

Last Thursday my brother and I went to see what might be for sale. We met (Merle) Mike Walker who I found out is a bench rest shooter.

L-A-R......Apparently Mr walker was alive last thursday.......?

Im confused.....

[B.Reid]

Originally Posted by Wa Jim

L-A-R......Apparently Mr walker was alive last thursday.......?

Im confused.....

That post is from 2011!

[E&ITech]

Originally Posted by Wa Jim

L-A-R......Apparently Mr walker was alive last thursday.......?

Im confused.....

Check the date on the first post.

[Wa Jim]

Wow sorry...............

the little details ....