| Remington Model 552 "Speedmaster" | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Rifle |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Designer: | L.R. Crittendon, E.W. Hailston |
| Manufacturer: | Remington Arms |
| Production Date: | 1957–2020[1] [2] |
| Weight: | 5.75lbs[3] |
| Length: | 40inches |
| Part Length: | 22inches |
| Cartridge: | .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 LR |
The Remington Model 552 Speedmaster is a blow-back operated, self-loading, semi-automatic rifle that can fire .22 Short, .22 Long and .22 long rifle cartridges.[3] Ammunition is fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel.
Designed by Remington engineers L.R. Crittendon and E.W. Hailston, and first introduced in 1957, the model 552 features a self-loading, blowback action featuring a low profile left-side bolt handle that lends itself to a clean receiver appearance and slender profile.[3] The rifle is equipped with both open sights and a 3/8" (9.5 mm) dovetail rail for mounting a scope and a safety on the trigger guard.[3] The Speedmaster was manufactured from 1957 to 1988 in a standard model. In 1966 Remington offered this rifle with a special stamping of the company's 150th anniversary on the left side of the receiver.
In 1991, the walnut butt stock of the BDL Deluxe version was altered to incorporate a Monte Carlo comb to improve cheek weld when using the rifle with a telescopic sight, while the impressed checkering on the butt stock and forearm was changed to machine-cut checkering.[4] in 2017, after complaints that the Monte Carlo comb made the rifle difficult to use with open sights, Remington returned to a straight comb stock design for current production BDL rifles.[5]
The Speedmaster was produced until 2020 in an upgraded "BDL" model, featuring a checkered walnut butt stock and forearm with a gloss finish.[3] [6]