help identifying old rifle

[supergrover]

I hope this is the right folder for this question.

I am trying to identify (model number and production era) an old Remington rifle I had when I was a kid. I've done a lot of searching and reading and I am not finding what I'm after. This rifle was my grandfather's, but it never left my side as a young boy. After he died, it was listed in his will (filed simply under "firearms") to go to anothe family member who promtly distributed most of them to the 4 corners of the earth for mere cash.

He told me he purchased it new for $13, and I don't remember if he told me it was purchased in 1964 or in 1974, but it was one or the other.

This rifle was a single-shot, bolt-action 22lr with open sights (rear adjustable for elevation, as I recall). Thin, smooth stock with no palm swells. The most distiguishing feature of this rifle was the safety. It was located on hammer at the rear of the bolt (where the weapon was cocked) and it rotated on that axis in operation; up, blocking line of sight, was "safe", right was "fire." The safety lever was fairly large (almost the size of a nickle) with knurled finish.

I want to say it was a model 510, but all the pics of 510's I see have very different style safeties. Any info on this would help. TIA.

[Broadside]

You might try posting your question on rimfirecentral.

[Brickboy240]

Are you sure thats a Remington you're looking for?

Until you mentioned the cocking piece knob on the back of the bolt - I was sure you were talking about my Remington 510. Remington made some VERY good 22 bolt guns between the mid 40s to the early 70s...I have three of them and love them.

However, the only 22 single shot boltguns I have seen with the cocking piece on the back of the bolt were made by Savage/Stevens. those are also very good guns and not hard to find. I see one in a pawn shop every now and then - usually selling for under 100 bucks. My cousin bought one for my nephew to learn on and it is an early 60s Stevens and yes, it is very accurate.

I am not sure of the model number, but what you're describing SOUNDS like a Stevens or Savage...not a Remington.

I love early Remington rimfires and have several bolt and semiautos and one early Winchester pump 22. We used to make some very nice and accurate rimfires in this country. Good thing is that many are in pawnshops and can be had for under 100 bucks. All my 100 dollar Remmy 22 boltguns will give me dime sized 50yd groups all day long.

- Brickboy240

[supergrover]

I'm positive it was a Remington. He would refer to the rifle as "the Remington."

This thing was a serious tack-driver. Every rifle I've ever fired since is compared to that old rifle as a frame of reference.

I'm almost convinced that it's a 510 looking at internet pics, and I'm guessing this particular style of safety and cocking device were only used for a short production period. A few years maybe. I was just hoping to find some confirmation from those who are more educated than I in the history of the Remington rimfire rifles.

Thanks for the input.

[Brickboy240]

The 510 Remmy that I have was my Dad's and he was given this rifle when he was in high school in the early 50s. It has a rocker styled safety that is located on the side of the receiver and has nothing to do with the bolt. It is in a similar location as the rocker safety on the M700 centerfire Remingtons.

It is possible that you had an earlier Remington single shot that HAD that styled safety....the predecessor to the 510. I am not familiar with Remington 22s built before WWII, as all 3 of mine were post war guns.

Anything is possible and yes, old Remington 22 rimfires had a reputation for very good accuracy. All 3 of mine are tackhammers.

- brickboy240

[Hillbilly Jim]

How about a Mod 514?

[cypress]

I have an old Marlin Glenfield 22LR single shot that cocks from the back of the bolt that was made in that era. My father bought it for my when I was a kid. Mine has a ring at the back of the bolt that you pull to cock. Different than what you discribe but you might want to include Marlin in your identification search.

[Brickboy240]

Nope, the 514 was esentially my 510 with a tubular magazine. No cocking piece knob on the rear of the bolt.

I am betting that what you're looking for is definately pre-WWII.

- Brickboy240

[Hillbilly Jim]

Actually the Rem 514 was only made as a single shot. It has a large rotary knob on the back of the bolt which was advertized as an automatic thumb safety. It was mfg from 1948 until being dropped in 1971. It was chambered for s,l, and lr as well as a Rutledge model for shotshells. A few boys rifles with shorter stocks were also mfg.

Another possible id would be a 341. They have a large rotary wing safety on the back of the bolt. They were only mfg a few years in the late 30's.

I have examples of both rifles in my collection.
Good Luck
Hillbilly Jim

[Brickboy240]

Ok...I guess I was thinking of the 512...I believe that is the tube magazine version. The 510 is also a single shot that is stamped "Target Master" on the barrel.

- brickboy240