[oquirrh]

I came across 552 stuck in the corner of a pawn shop because it wasn't functioning. It is missing the spring and plunger for the tube magazine (still has the brass tube and the knurled knob) and the shell deflector. Also the bead is broken off the the front sight.

I looked down the barrel but couldn't see very well because it was filthy and cobwebby and I didn't have a decent bore light.

Owner said $70--I said, 'what the heck.'

I was delighted to find that my 550-1's tube fits the 552 so I might be able to test it before I commit to a Numrich order.

Does anyone know for sure if the 550 bullet pusher is compatible with a 552?

I have to look up the date on this rifle when I get a little time. No checkering but the wood ain't too bad. Suprisingly for the parts missing it isn't too beat up. a couple spots the finish is knocked off the reciever, and around the ejection port.

I'm still afraid to take a good look down the barrel.

 

[oquirrh]

Update...got a problem

When I tried to test fire it with the identical looking 550 tube in it, it jammed often.
after cleaning it seems to only jam on the last round in the tube. the bolt flips the last round over Lead pointed downward and hangs up on it.

When I hand operate it, the shells feed into the chamber and eject without a problem. Even the last one.

Any suggestions as to what is wrong?

Date code is "DO", which i take to mean 9/1977. But the barrel also has 76 stamped on it, so maybe it's a 76 barrel in a rifle assembled in 1977.

Also I found some more of the rifle. The spring and a broken metal plunger weren't missing, they were jammed way up in the inner magazine tube.

 

[oquirrh]

Shudda looked down the bore.

Got the 552 shooting except for the last-round jam.

Even though I was just checking for function, I noticed it was grouping about 8-12" at 25 yards. You got that right--a pie plate would not cover the group! To call it a shotgun pattern would be an insult to shotguns.

I dug out small flashlight and looked down. I put my "readers on so I could see the last few inches.
i karumba! Three rough rings in the last eight inches of barrel--looks like they were ground into the barrel with a dremel. No bulges on the outside. I can't figure them out--doesn't look like the faint rings I've seen in semi's before.

I'm pretty much stuck with the gun. Maybe I'll hack the bad section off, if I can do it without going illegal. Or look for a cheap barrel.

 

[oquirrh]

Stand-up pawn broker...

Depsite a no-return policy, Murray, from whom I bought the 552, gave me my money back. Now he has a cleaned, lubed 552 with a &%#ed up barrel.

Here's the pitiful part, it was hard to let go of that rifle! Other than the barrel it was in very good condition with a nice grained hardwood stock.

Now, I want to find another 552.

Just shoot me.