Remington Sportsmaster Model 512 .22lr (need help)

[DustyGmt]

A friend of mine boy just inherited an old remington sportsmaster 512 .22lr and when you cycle the bolt back it will not go forward unless the trigger is slightly pulled. Does anybody have experience with this rifle or know why it might be doing it. I haven't pulled it apart or taken it down for cleaning but I was just looking for any information about this gun or some suggestions on how to fix this problem.

Thanks for any input....

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I know zip about this design, but I was curious and went looking for an exploded parts diagram. While doing so I found this post about fixing the feed system on a 512:

https://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2016/10/repairing-remington-512-sportsmaster.html

From the parts drawing in this post I think the trigger is performing a couple extra jobs, including bolt stop.

I don't want to speculate further without being able to see how the parts interact, but my SWAG is a broken or misaligned component linking the trigger to the cartridge lifter mechanism. The guts are complicated enough that I'd want to seek a real gunsmith to fix it.

BTW, from what I am seeing this was not one of Remington's better efforts. If it was my rifle I'd just live with the current problem until something more critical breaks and causes the gun to pack up entirely. Or maybe sell it for parts and buy something better.

 

[wesmonster]

Bev Fitchett’s guns or Tincanbandit’s sites are good sources of info.
Numrich gun parts is good for parts diagrams.

That’s a great gun, and worth trying to fix. I’ve not ever heard of that problem before, though. I’ve got an older 512 and it’s a great shooter, feeds .22shorts, longs & long rifles and never jams.

Is it the original bolt? I’ve gotten more than one old rimfire that had a different bolt from the same model but an earlier or later version that often didn’t work right with the original trigger. Sounds like the trigger sear is interfering with the bolt.

 

[Scooter22]

When you say the bolt won't go forward is it stuck in that position until the trigger is pulled? Or will the bolt start to move foreward but won't fully close until the trigger is pulled. I agree the sear part of the trigger may be catching the bolt on closing. Could be worn so it's riding to high in the receiver. Another thought is the trigger could have been replaced and not fitted. Sometimes the sear has to be stoned down to clear. Not the firing pin engagement but the flat top. Or someone could have been messing with the trigger trying to lighten it. Hard to tell without actually seeing and holding it while moving the bolt. Don't just randomly file it though. You could make the gun unsafe. As a precaution you could do a "drop test". Make sure it's empty and close the bolt like it,s ready to fire. Then wrap the butt end of the stock to see if the firing pin drops. I use a rubber mallet and check all used guns I buy. Never know.
EDIT! Here is a parts view from Numrich. It shows the sear is a separate piece attached to the trigger with a pivot. Not like the one on Tincanbandits site. Perhaps the sear is suppose to pivot as the bolt moves over and yours is frozen. Just another thought.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/remington/rifles-rem/512