| Remington Model 552 "Speedmaster" | |
|---|---|
| Type | Rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | L.R. Crittendon, E.W. Hailston[1] |
| Manufacturer | Remington Arms |
| Produced | 1957-2020[1][2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.75 lb (2.61 kg)[3] |
| Length | 40 in (100 cm)[3] |
| Barrel length | 22 in (56 cm)[3] |
| Cartridge | .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 LR[1] |
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]