Remington 550 reassembly problem - The Firearms Forum

Gmack · 01-07-2012, 04:39 AM

Hey folks. I inherited an old Remington 550 (made in 1948) from my Grandpa a few years back and have probably ran about 500 rounds through it since that time. I've neglected tearing it apart and giving it a real good cleaning until yesterday. That puppy was FILTHY!!! So here's the problem, I can't get the bolt to fit back in receiver properly, and here's why...
Well, I got the brilliant idea to remove the sear spring screw (it's the large screw on the bottom of the receiver that just begs to be removed). That screw keeps tension of the sear spring, and the spring fits into a detent in the bottom if the sear.
I found a thread on TFF from 2003 posted by "CountryGunsmith" on how to re-install the spring into the sear. I figured that thread would be long dead, so thats why I'm posting a new one. His advise was solid...I removed the bolt, trigger assembly, and the safety. Then I was able to insert the spring into the sear and tighten the screw all the way, keeping the sear in proper spring tension. But that's where my problem begins...
I go ahead and re-install the trigger and safety...but I can't get the the bolt to fit back into the receiver!!!! The sear is blocking the path that the bolt should fit into!
Has anybody had this problem? Can anyone shed a little light on this situation? I have taken everything apart and put it back together 4 times and the problem is the same every time. I can't get the sear out of the way of where the bolt is supposed to fit. I can provide pictures if necessary. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Country Gunsmith, are you out there?=). Thanks in advance gang, I'm looking forward to hearin back from ya!

StoneChimney · 01-07-2012, 04:57 AM

Yep. With the barrel pointed downward, slide the bolt into the receiver as far as it will go then back out slightly. Pull the trigger to depress the sear and the bolt should seat the rest of the way.

Gmack · 01-12-2012, 08:35 PM

Thanks for the reply! I didn't have the trigger hooked in the sear properly, so the sear was completely blocking the receiver, hence the bolt would not fit. It was tricky to get the trigger/sear assembly put together correctly...took a couple hours and a lot of profanity! Once i got it right, just squeeze that trigger and the bolt slides right on in!

01-07-2012, 04:39 AM	#1
Gmack Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2	Remington 550 reassembly problem Hey folks. I inherited an old Remington 550 (made in 1948) from my Grandpa a few years back and have probably ran about 500 rounds through it since that time. I've neglected tearing it apart and giving it a real good cleaning until yesterday. That puppy was FILTHY!!! So here's the problem, I can't get the bolt to fit back in receiver properly, and here's why... Well, I got the brilliant idea to remove the sear spring screw (it's the large screw on the bottom of the receiver that just begs to be removed). That screw keeps tension of the sear spring, and the spring fits into a detent in the bottom if the sear. I found a thread on TFF from 2003 posted by "CountryGunsmith" on how to re-install the spring into the sear. I figured that thread would be long dead, so thats why I'm posting a new one. His advise was solid...I removed the bolt, trigger assembly, and the safety. Then I was able to insert the spring into the sear and tighten the screw all the way, keeping the sear in proper spring tension. But that's where my problem begins... I go ahead and re-install the trigger and safety...but I can't get the the bolt to fit back into the receiver!!!! The sear is blocking the path that the bolt should fit into! Has anybody had this problem? Can anyone shed a little light on this situation? I have taken everything apart and put it back together 4 times and the problem is the same every time. I can't get the sear out of the way of where the bolt is supposed to fit. I can provide pictures if necessary. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Country Gunsmith, are you out there?=). Thanks in advance gang, I'm looking forward to hearin back from ya! -->

01-07-2012, 04:57 AM	#2
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: Remington 550 reassembly problem Yep. With the barrel pointed downward, slide the bolt into the receiver as far as it will go then back out slightly. Pull the trigger to depress the sear and the bolt should seat the rest of the way. __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

01-12-2012, 08:35 PM	#3
Gmack Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2	Re: Remington 550 reassembly problem Thanks for the reply! I didn't have the trigger hooked in the sear properly, so the sear was completely blocking the receiver, hence the bolt would not fit. It was tricky to get the trigger/sear assembly put together correctly...took a couple hours and a lot of profanity! Once i got it right, just squeeze that trigger and the bolt slides right on in!