6 Common Remington 550-1 Problems And How To Fix Them

I recently had the opportunity to test out the Remington 550-1, and let me tell you, it’s an interesting piece to get your hands on. 

However, I did encounter a few common Remington 550-1 Problems that many of you might have encountered. We’re talking about feeding, bolt, jamming, firing pin, heavy trigger pull, and extraction problems. Yep, that’s a lot, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

This article aims to give you a rundown of these problems and offer practical solutions to get your Remington 550-1 back in smooth working condition. So, buckle up, and let’s get into it!

Overview of Remington 550-1 Problems & Solutions

Problems	Solutions
Feeding Problem	Polish the feed ramp and clean the floating chamber.
Bolt Problem	Check the safety; consider replacing a bent firing pin.
Jamming Issue	Deep clean the “Power Piston” and the chamber.
Firing Pin Issue	Replace the firing pin if it’s not holding in place.
Heavy Trigger	Clean and lubricate the trigger assembly.
Extraction Problem	Clean and polish the chamber; consider a stronger extractor.

Top 5 Remington 550-1 Problems & Solutions

1. Feeding Problem

Hey folks, let’s get right to it. One issue I encountered while using the Remington 550-1 was the failure to feed. Picture this: I’m out in the field, I fire off a couple of rounds, and bam—the chamber jams. 

The shell gets all wedged in the carrier, and everything comes to a screeching halt. Upon closer inspection, I found that the floating chamber seemed out of place and was clogged up. 

This wasn’t a one-time thing; it happened repeatedly, making it clear that there was an underlying issue to tackle.

Solution

Now, on to the fix. First, I gave the feed ramp a good polishing, along with any surfaces where friction could occur. 

Next, I disassembled the weapon for a deep clean, paying special attention to the floating chamber. Turns out, that part gets grimy easily and needs extra care to keep it in top shape. 

After cleaning, I noticed a significant improvement—no more wedged shells or jams. If you’ve tried all this and still face issues, it wouldn’t hurt to give Remington a call for additional support. Trust me, a clean firearm is a happy firearm, and this little fix did wonders for me.

2. Bolt Problem 

Alright, here’s another problem I bumped into while out and about with my Remington 550-1. I went to pull the bolt back, and it just wouldn’t budge past a certain point. 

Talk about a showstopper, right? The bolt was frozen, making the whole gun pretty much unusable. After taking a closer look, I found that the firing pin was the culprit—it was bent out of shape. 

Yep, it’s as bad as it sounds. A bent firing pin can make your firearm ineffective and potentially dangerous.

Solution

So, how did I tackle this annoying issue? First off, I checked the safety. In my experience, safeties on firearms can sometimes mess with other parts, like the bolt or firing pin. 

To my surprise, when I loosened the safety, the bolt finally decided to play nice and slid right out. I took this chance to inspect the bent firing pin. 

If your firing pin is bent, it’s generally advisable to replace it, but loosening the safety temporarily solved the bolt issue for me. However, remember that this is a quick fix. 

For long-term use, consult Remington or a certified professional. Trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

3. Jamming Issue

Let’s dive into another issue I faced while using the Remington 550-1: jamming. And let me tell you, it wasn’t just an occasional jam; it was almost after every other shot! That kind of issue can quickly turn an enjoyable day at the range into a complete headache. 

Interestingly enough, both old and new shells ejected without any problems; it was the next step of loading a new cartridge where things got hard. 

I often had to manually reposition the bolt, which isn’t something you want to do frequently.

Solution

So, how did I tackle this challenge? First things first, I disassembled the weapon to alleviate any internal pressure. I took out the bolt, lifted the carrier, then pried out what Remington calls the “Power Piston”—basically the floating chamber. I gave it a thorough cleaning along with the chamber and barrel.

This involved removing the main mount and tapping the outer mag tube and receiver insert back about 3/4 inch. And don’t forget to check that the carrier or cartridge stop moves freely within the receiver insert. 

After this deep cleaning, the jamming issues were reduced dramatically. So, it’s worth the effort, folks!

4. Firing Pin Issue

So, here’s another issue that’s bound to frustrate anyone using the Remington 550-1: the firing pin not catching. Imagine being all set to shoot. You chamber a round, but the firing pin is sticking out like a sore thumb. 

Why? Because it’s not cocked back. And when the firing pin is in your way, you can forget about loading a new cartridge. The whole operation comes to a grinding halt. 

The firing pin isn’t being held in place as it should be when you cycle the bolt back. It’s more than just a minor inconvenience; it’s a showstopper.

Solution

Alright, it’s time for some problem-solving. The first thing to check is the sear spring; it could be too weak. The sear itself might also be rounded off. 

You’ve got to clean these parts thoroughly. You’d be surprised how much dust and debris can accumulate there. And if the back of your firing pin is moving up and down in the bolt body, that’s another red flag. 

You’re going to need a new firing pin to sort that out. Trust me, it was like night and day when I replaced my firing pin. The rifle functioned smoothly, and the problem was gone for good. It’s a bit of work, but it’s worth every minute.

5. Heavy Trigger

Let’s talk about the Remington 550-1’s heavy trigger, shall we? When I say heavy, I mean you really have to muscle it. 

At first, I thought it might just be me, but nope, that trigger needs some serious pull. While this might not sound like a big deal, it actually is. Having to exert extra force can shift the gun from your intended aim. It’s more than a comfort issue; it affects your accuracy. 

And guess what? If you peek inside, you might find that the trigger spring and plunger are not in the best shape.

Solution

So, how do we fix it? I started by removing the bolt and the receiver plug retainer. Pushed out that big ol’ rear trigger pin and rotated the trigger assembly up and out. It was cleaning time. 

I sprayed the entire receiver assembly with Simple Green, gave it a good brush-down, and then dunked it in hot water. Dried it using hot water and compressed air, followed by a light spray of RemOil. 

But wait, there’s more. I also cleaned and lubricated the trigger spring, plunger, and all the other moving parts. After this whole process, let me tell you, that trigger felt much better. No more wrestling, just smooth pulling. It’s worth every second spent on it.

6. Extraction Problem

Ah, extraction issues. Now, this one gave me a real headache. Everything looks fine when you load the Remington 550-1. 

But then you shoot, and suddenly, the second bullet acts like it wants to stay in there forever. I noticed wear on the case, meaning it tried to extract but just didn’t make it. 

We’re talking about a gun that becomes virtually useless because it won’t cycle properly. Imagine being out in the field and encountering this. 

You’re stuck with a jammed weapon, and that’s not a situation anyone wants to find themselves in.

Solution

Now for the fun part: fixing it. First things first, give that chamber a good, thorough cleaning. I used some Flitz to scrub the walls, focusing on any areas that looked problematic. 

Let me tell you, the primary extraction issues seemed to sort themselves out. 

Consider polishing that floating chamber and maybe even installing a stronger extractor for a more permanent fix. After doing this, the gun performed like a champ. Finally, it was cycling the way it should, and I couldn’t have been happier.

Final Verdict

Alright, folks, there you have it. The Remington 550-1 is indeed a robust and functional firearm, especially in .22 caliber. But as with anything mechanical, it has its own set of challenges. 

From feeding to bolt issues, from jamming to firing pin dilemmas, the list may seem intimidating. But guess what? Most of these problems are totally solvable with a little care and attention. 

The big takeaway here is maintenance. Regular cleaning, some light polishing here and there, and the occasional replacement of worn-out parts can transform your experience. 

So, while the Remington 550-1 might require a bit more attention than you’d expect, once you address these issues, it’ll serve you well in the field. And that’s the name of the game, isn’t it?

FAQ’s

What is a Remington 550?

It’s a right-hand semi-auto rifle in .22 caliber with a 24-inch barrel and adjustable sights.

Why is Remington ammo so expensive?

The demand outpaces supply, allowing Remington to set higher prices.

What is the difference between a 550 and a 550-1?

The 550-1 uses a different extractor than the 550.