I inherited several firearms from my dad recently, and one of these is a Remington 581 .22lr from the early 80's. It appears to me that the barrel might be slightly bent, though I have not fired it (nor do I intend to until I can find out either way). It doesn't look like the gun is damaged in any way, so it may be an optical illusion? Can a gunsmith put this on a jig and rotate it with a dial indicator, or is there some other method that I can measure barrel straightness myself? Thanks all -
Remington 581 bent barrel
- Thread starter Japhro
- Start date
Before you try bending it. Make sure the firearm is clear and safe. Look along the length of the barrel with it aligned with a single light source or something that will create a single source shadow along the outside of the barrel. Rotate the barrel and see if there is any deflection in that reflected light. Make sure any deflection you see is not a shoulder in the chamber area of the barrel.
This single light source method is actually used currently by some of the best match rifle makers for checking for straightness in barrels.
Your 581 should have straight taper barrel, if factory issue. and be very easy to check for any deflection
This single light source method is actually used currently by some of the best match rifle makers for checking for straightness in barrels.
Your 581 should have straight taper barrel, if factory issue. and be very easy to check for any deflection
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
I have a Remington 580 barrel (single shot version) that is perfectly straight and shoots well. It may headspace differently, but for a non-target .22 that isn't terribly critical unless the headspace is excessive. The front sight is not attached, but I still have all the parts, and the rear sight and base is missing completely. I also have a dovetail front sight base if you wanted to fix and Anschutz style globe sight. Let me know if you're interested.
Thanks to all for your replies.
I made a crude set of "V Blocks" from a set of automotive axle jacks that I had lying around the garage, and removed the barrelled action from the stock. I just wanted to be able to rotate the barrel on something that might show a bit of runout. No dial indicator, or any other measuring device as of yet, but the barrel does appear to have a slight runout, and certainly enough to affect accuracy.
I have found a couple of used barrels online, apparently it is impossible to get a new one...
There are 2 solid pins driven into the action that hold the barrel in place, are these a heated/interference fit? Is the barrel to action coupling a heat/interference fit as well?
@ Blastattack - thank you for your offer, but I think that I'd like to get a 581 barrel. The gun already has a globe front and redfield match rear sight.
I learned to shoot on this firearm, starting at 12 yrs old going to the gun club with my father. So, I'm trying to get her back into shape as a nice useable piece, and for sentimental reasons.
Thanks again for any helpful info
I made a crude set of "V Blocks" from a set of automotive axle jacks that I had lying around the garage, and removed the barrelled action from the stock. I just wanted to be able to rotate the barrel on something that might show a bit of runout. No dial indicator, or any other measuring device as of yet, but the barrel does appear to have a slight runout, and certainly enough to affect accuracy.
I have found a couple of used barrels online, apparently it is impossible to get a new one...
There are 2 solid pins driven into the action that hold the barrel in place, are these a heated/interference fit? Is the barrel to action coupling a heat/interference fit as well?
@ Blastattack - thank you for your offer, but I think that I'd like to get a 581 barrel. The gun already has a globe front and redfield match rear sight.
I learned to shoot on this firearm, starting at 12 yrs old going to the gun club with my father. So, I'm trying to get her back into shape as a nice useable piece, and for sentimental reasons.
Thanks again for any helpful info
Why don't you just try shooting it before you go to all the trouble of "Fixing it"?
An old frined from my childhood days had a .22 with a very bent barrel, it was in a car accident, it shot quite straight and the sight was drifted all the way to one side to compensate for the bent barrel.
Scott
An old frined from my childhood days had a .22 with a very bent barrel, it was in a car accident, it shot quite straight and the sight was drifted all the way to one side to compensate for the bent barrel.
Scott
Eyeball the bore. It's just like use globe target sights No need to remove the barrel from the action, so long as the blocks have enough space to center the high or low spot in the middle between them.
It was easier than I thought.
It was easier than I thought.
To each his own, but personally I don't like the idea of shooting a firearm with a bent barrel. I guess it's the perfectionist in me, but I like to keep all my things in good working order, whether it be car, motorcycle, firearms etc. It just makes me feel better knowing that these things are well maintained.
The sights will be adjusted for a particular distance, and may already be at the end of the adjustment range. So, at 25 yards, the difference will be small, but will increase as distance increases. Therefore, any longer shots will likely be out of the sight window. ??
- Location
- nanaimo, bc
i would figure it would be more sentimental if it was left all original if it still fires? this is only .22lr, not a 30-06 after all.....
Not a bad point
If I can find a vy good condition barrel, then I can have my cake and eat it too. If not, it will go on the wall.
For good accurate target shooting, I have a Vostok Biathlon rifle anyway..
If I can find a vy good condition barrel, then I can have my cake and eat it too. If not, it will go on the wall.
For good accurate target shooting, I have a Vostok Biathlon rifle anyway..
