Help with a 1957 Remington 552 Speedmaster

[MarkA]

Hey guys,
This is a duplicate to the post I just put up on TFL. Hoping someone can shed a little light on this. Last night I was given an old 552 Speedmaster, barrel code E D. It is missing parts, mainly the bolt assembly, which I've found for sale on MidwayUSA, the take-down screw, also for sale on MidwayUSA. But, there's a part on the parts diagrams that I'm not seeing, and I'm thinking that maybe this part wasn't on the older ones?

Referring to Brownell's diagram, part number 3 "bolt buffer" has me vexed. I don't see where this would go on my rifle. It does have part number 4, buffer pad, and it's in good shape. Here's an old ebay listing with the two parts side by side:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=608267&image=606242537&images=606242537&formats=0&format=0

So, if this old rifle actually needs part number 3, where the heck does it go? I can find pictures of these rifles torn down, but nothing with enough detail to shed any light on the subject.

Thanks for reading,

 

[N.Schafer]

The bolt buffer sits in front of the buffer pad. There is a tab on top of the buffer that faces rearward. The buffer pad sits on this to hold it in. Yes you need it. The bolt is not able to contact the pad. It hits the buffer.

 

[MarkA]

Ah. I see. So it jams down in between the pad and the tab/protrusion on the receiver casting; the pad holds it in, while the trigger group holds in the pad.

I wish I had a picture here at the office; it looks like the rifle was fired without any of this in place. You can see where the bolt was coming back and slamming into the casting a bit.

Thanks

 

[N.Schafer]

Yup that sounds like you got it. The 552s have a light enough bolt so they can cycle with shorts and a buffer so you can use long rifle. If the receiver protrusion is still there and not broken off, then it is fine.

 

[MarkA]

Thanks. I think I'll probably have her shooting again here in a few weeks. This thing was a real wreck. Had a mud dauber in the barrel. Lol. Surprisingly, it cleaned up pretty good, save for the missing parts.