Welcome, if you’re a newcomer to this enjoyable bi-weekly phase of AllOutdoor.com! Welcome again to our exploration of the Remington 550-1 .22 rimfire rifle! In Part 1, we lined the historical growth and private connections to this versatile American workhorse. Right now, we’re diving into the assorted fashions and variations that emerged in the course of the 550 sequence’ manufacturing run from 1941 to 1971.
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Welcome to our recurring sequence of “Curious Relics.” Right here, we wish to share all of our experiences, data, misadventures, and fervour for older firearms that one would possibly categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that’s no less than 50 years outdated in keeping with the ATF. Hopefully alongside the way in which you’ll be able to garner a larger appreciation for older firearms like we do, and concurrently you’ll be able to train us issues as properly by way of sharing your individual experience and ideas within the Feedback. Understanding the firearms of outdated, their significance, and their growth which result in most of the arms we now cherish as we speak is extremely fascinating and we hope you get pleasure from what we’ve got to share, too!
Analysis Challenges and Sources
Earlier than we dig into the variations, I must acknowledge the analysis challenges that include documenting what had been primarily “common Joe” weapons. The 550 sequence wasn’t thought of collectible throughout its manufacturing years, so detailed documentation is scarce in comparison with extra well-known firearms. Most homeowners merely used these rifles with out preserving detailed data of variations or manufacturing modifications.
The definitive reference work on this topic is Remington .22 Rimfire Rifles: The Full Ebook on Remington .22 Rifles by John Gyde and Roy Marcot. Sadly, this ebook is lengthy out of print, and I haven’t discovered copies for below $700. This humble author loves to purchase the books, help the authors, and do the correct analysis, however on this case, I used to be SOL. As a substitute, I’ve needed to piece collectively info from varied collector boards, public sale descriptions, and the Blue Ebook of Gun Values – sources that require verification wherever doable.
Overview of the 550 Collection Household
In keeping with the Remington Boards database, the Mannequin 550 sequence had a complete manufacturing run of roughly 764,573 rifles over its 30-year lifespan. The sequence was designed by Kenneth Lowe and David Williams, using a blowback semi-automatic motion that grew to become the inspiration for all variations.
The principle variations embrace:
- Mannequin 550A (1941-1946)
- Mannequin 550-1 (1946-1970)
- Mannequin 550P (manufacturing dates unclear)
- Mannequin 550-1P (manufacturing dates unclear)
- Mannequin 550-2G (roughly 1950-1959)
Let’s simply guess that the 2 P variants had been made in comparable lifetimes as their supply mannequin.
Mannequin 550A: The Basis (1941-1946)
The Mannequin 550A was the unique design that established the floating chamber idea. In keeping with Blue Ebook knowledge, roughly 34,577 items had been manufactured between 1941-1946. The twin extractor system was apparently deserted after the 550A, with all subsequent fashions utilizing a single extractor design. Some discussion board discussions counsel the very earliest 550A fashions lacked provision for the shell deflector, making these extraordinarily uncommon variants.
“Two Rifles with Scopes.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/2090/444/two-rifles-with-scopes. Accessed 27 Might 2025.
Key Options:
- .22 Brief, Lengthy, and Lengthy Rifle functionality
- 24-inch barrel
- Tube journal
- Twin extractors (distinctive to this mannequin)
- Shell deflector
- Open sights
- Plain one-piece pistol inventory
Mannequin 550-1: The Workhorse (1946-1970)
The Mannequin 550-1 grew to become the commonest and longest-produced variant, with roughly 730,000 manufactured over almost 25 years. This mannequin represented a refinement of the 550A design. As talked about in Part 1, early manufacturing (1946-1948) was marked “550 1” with out a sprint, whereas later manufacturing (1949-1971) carried the “550-1” marking with a touch.
Key Options:
- .22 Brief, Lengthy, and Lengthy Rifle functionality
- 24-inch barrel
- Tube journal
- Single extractor (simplified from 550A)
- Shell deflector
- Open sights
- Plain one-piece pistol inventory
Mannequin 550P and 550-1P: The Goal Variants
The “P” fashions featured Remington’s “Level-crometer” aperture rear sight system, making them extra appropriate for goal taking pictures functions. In keeping with collector boards, these fashions are “not widespread, however there are a couple of round.”
The excellence between the 550P and 550-1P isn’t fully clear from accessible sources, nevertheless it doubtless follows the identical sample as the bottom fashions – with the 550P being earlier manufacturing and the 550-1P being the later, refined model. These target-oriented fashions by no means achieved the recognition of devoted goal rifles, however they provided shooters who needed the flexibility of the floating chamber system with extra exact sights for accuracy work.
“Remington Mannequin 550-1P.” Weapons Worldwide, https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/remington-rifles—rimfire/remington-model-550-1p.cfm?gun_id=100900802. Accessed 27 Might 2025.
Mannequin 550P Options:
- .22 Brief, Lengthy, and Lengthy Rifle functionality
- 24-inch barrel
- Tube journal
- Single extractor
- Aperture rear sight (Level-crometer system)
- Plain one-piece walnut inventory
Mannequin 550-2G: The Gallery Gun (circa 1950-1959)
The Mannequin 550-2G represents essentially the most specialised and mechanically totally different variant within the 550 sequence. Designed particularly for taking pictures galleries and carnival use, this mannequin was chambered just for .22 Brief cartridges.
1953 Remington, 550-2G “Gallery Particular”, 22 | Proxibid. https://www.proxibid.com/lotinformation/72933700/1953-remington-5502g-gallery-special-22-short-semiauto. Accessed 27 Might 2025.
Key Options:
- .22 Brief solely (no multi-cartridge functionality)
- 22-inch barrel (shorter than different fashions)
- Single extractor
- Open sights
- Plain one-piece pistol inventory
- Eye screw for counter chain (taking pictures gallery safety)
The 550-2G: A Totally different Beast Totally
What makes the 550-2G significantly attention-grabbing is how extensively it differs from the usual 550 sequence rifles. In keeping with detailed discussion board discussions from collectors who’ve examined a number of examples:
Mechanical Variations:
- No floating chamber: The barrel lacks the recess for the floating chamber, making this the one 550 sequence mannequin with out the “Williams patent” roll mark
- Modified bolt: Lightened by eradicating materials, extremely machined with a particular “coke bottle” form
- Totally different receiver insert: Modified guides and longer feed ramp optimized for .22 Brief cartridges
- Specialised journal tube hanger: Options an additional loop not discovered on normal fashions
- Probably totally different springs: Some proof suggests motion springs could also be totally different lengths, although this varies between examples
- Modified provider: Might have a distinct form than normal 550 sequence rifles
The absence of the floating chamber is smart provided that the 550-2G was designed for a single cartridge sort. This simplification doubtless diminished manufacturing prices whereas making a extra dependable system for the high-volume taking pictures typical in gallery environments.
Manufacturing Timing and Identification
Based mostly on accessible date code info from collector examples, the 550-2G was manufactured roughly between 1950-1959. Nonetheless, some examples have appeared with the later-style shell deflector somewhat than the early sort, suggesting manufacturing could have continued longer or that elements had been blended throughout meeting.
Photograph Credit score: Blue Ebook of Gun Values
The taking pictures gallery market was fairly totally different from the sporting market. These rifles wanted to be sturdy sufficient to face up to fixed use by inexperienced shooters whereas being safe sufficient to stop theft in carnival environments – therefore the attention screw for chaining to the counter.
Finish of Half II: Remington 550-1 .22 Rimfire
The variations throughout the Remington 550 sequence replicate the totally different markets and functions these rifles served over three many years of manufacturing. From the unique 550A’s sturdy dual-extractor design to the specialised 550-2G gallery gun, every variant tells a narrative about American taking pictures tradition and the sensible wants these rifles stuffed.
In our subsequent installment, we’ll sort out the courting and identification of those rifles, diving into Remington’s barrel date coding system and discussing the specs that outline every mannequin. We’ll additionally discover the aftermarket elements and equipment that grew to become accessible for the 550 sequence through the years.
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics phase knowledgeable in addition to entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We didn’t simply understand how guns had been alleged to look and performance. It was a protracted and tedious course of that has formed the world we dwell in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm on the market that you just really feel doesn’t get a lot notoriety? What ought to our subsequent Curious Relics subject cowl? As all the time, tell us all your ideas within the Feedback under! We all the time recognize your suggestions.
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