I like my 700 ADL Varminter
I've had 2 Remington 700's over the past 20 years. I owned a 700 ADL, 30.06in 1987-1994. Very pretty rifle, shot very well...could hit hedgeapples offhand at 100+yrds with factory ammo.
I recently bought a 700 ADL Varminter, 243 win at Dicks. Very happy with it. I can shoot sub MOA (.43 inches best to date) @ 100 yrds benchrest with handloaded ammo. Consistently shoots sub MOA 5 shot groups, with 3-9x scope @ 100yrds if I'm doing my part.
My father has a 700 BDL 30.06, that he bought in the early 70s. It is a gorgeuos rifle...deep, highly polished bluing, walnut stock with glossy finish and a super grain pattern with the black forend piece.
My brother has a 700 ADL, 270 synthetic stock, that he bought in the early 90s.
Trigger pull on all are crisp and light (4 lbs or so, I would guess).
Never had any of these so called "safety issues" on any of these rifles. I don't even recall having a failure to fire. I suspect these sort of issues are a result of modifications/adjustments to the trigger mechanizm or lack of care/maintenance on the rifle.
I believe walmart does have different models of the same make than you might find at a gunstore (ie. SPS vs ADL vs BDL vs CDL). But I don't believe a 700 SPS at walmart is any different than 700 SPS at a gunstore. Different packages, maybe (ie, scope/sling or not). That would cost Remington too much and why would they risk their great reputation.
BTW: Many military and law enforcement sniper rifles are based on the 700 action.
Go to a gunstore and check out the different makes, side-by-side, then you be the judge. I'm not saying Savage, Howa, Winchester, Ruger etc make a poor rifle...I'm just very pleased with Remington's 700...