Remington 581

B

BrittB

New member
Picked up on of these today. Nice mechanical condition and slightly cosmetically challeged for $60. Can anyone give me a little history lesson on this rifle?

Also, I have mounts for a scope but no scope. What would be a good cheap scope for this critter?
 
Basic version of the much acclaimed 541 (cheap, plain Jane stock, low gloss bluing), made from 1967-1983 according to Remington. Extremely well-built and strong, I have seen the 580 action used for 22 Hornet. Same basic action used for the 591/592 in 5mm Remington Magnum Rimfire. Also available in smoothbore for Boy Scouts' Skeeto, and as a benchrest version.
 
It appears to be a 581 S model with an A at the begining of the serial number which I think means it's a 1980 model. Not sure what the S means though.

Who sells parts for one of these rifles?
 
Basically a newer version of my old 511. Heavier stock, plastic magazine but most all of them shoot straight with ammo they like. 60 bucks ain't bad; you can always spend $5 on sandpaper and stain.
 
I'm trying to figure out which scope will work best with it. I don't want to spend more on the scope than I did on the rifle. I have 1" scope rings on it that I would like to use.
 
Basically a newer version of my old 511.
Click to expand...

Actually, other than the fact both the model 511 and the model 581 were bolt-action, .22 rf sporting rifles, they had little else in common. The biggest difference between the two was the manner of bolt lock-up. Whereas the model 511 used a "double lug" lock-up, the model 581 employed six, rear-mounted, "artillery" style lugs, mimicking in miniature the system used on the model 788 centerfire Remington rifle at the time.
As Scorch pointed out, this line of Remington bolt-action rifles became known for their intrinsic strength (especially for a rimfire bolt-action) and their accuracy potential.
 
Update on this rifle. It's turning into my favorite little shooter since I tore it down, cleaned it up, refinished the stock, put a real cheap scope on it, and new swivels for the sling. I got to say it's pretty cool now and I'm into it for less than a $100 bucks. I didn't want to loose the aged look or color of the original finish on the stock so I did an actone wipedown and cleared it with urethane clear. It looks like it was refinished once before years ago which would account for the lighter than normal color of the wood but it looks pretty good. I'll follow up with pictures in a day or two.:)
 
Pictures of my econo rifle.

Before,
Glock17011.jpg


After,
Remington581S001.jpg


I'm really happy with everything except the scope. I'm going to try a 3-9x40 on it and see what I think.
 
Nice job! I might add that I would not put a big, bulky 3X9 scope on this petite rifle. I'm a believer in scopes being proportionate in size to the rifle they're attached to. But that's just me and my entirely subjective sense of aesthetics and handling qualities.
 
If it turns it into a cheese job I can always replace it with the scope that's on it now. I just need to shoot a box of 22lr's through it for now to excercise it a bit. It's kind of funny, I didn't think I would like this little rifle this much. Maybe it's the start of a Rimfire collection. 17 HMR anybody? :D
 
I took it out today and damn if this rifle didn't work perfect. We where shooting and backing away further with each mag reload until we got out to around 90 yards and it was still hitting the target. We must have put close to 250 rounds through this gun today and it never missed a beat, I love this rifle!
 
I have a 582, which is that same action with a tube magazine. It can be a bugger to get the bolt back in (it's a two-piece job that you have to line up just so), but otherwise it's a great gun. Accurate, reliable, good trigger.
 
Yes, the bolt can be tricky sometimes but the way the rifle performs overshadows the bolt issue. This may be a pass it on to my grandson type gun when he gets old enough for a rifle.
 
The 580-540 series of rifles are about as accurate as any production .22 LRs ever made. Plastic magazines are a weak point in an otherwise great rifle.

Trigger on the 581 can be significantly improved by installing a pin to separate the combination sear/trigger spring functions into independent actions. A lighter trigger spring can be used to take the trigger pull as low as 15 ounces and still be very reliable.

My son's 581 has been glass-bedded and I modified the trigger. It shoots under 1/2" at 50 yards.
 
581

Just found a 581 in 95% condition and gave $175 with no regrets. Had a 5 round mag to boot. I have 3-582s tube feed, a 580 single shot, a 541T sporter and regret to say I sold a 541S to fund my first annie. These are great carry rifles and excellent actions for custom builds. With a little trigger work they shoot with rifles that cost twice as much and shoot s.l & lr. Nice refinish job good luck and good shooting. doceaux
 
If I ever come across a tube feed 582, I'd pick that up in a hurry. Maybe a 580 too. These are just fun rifles and I wish Remington still made them. I don't have the 5 round magazine but I've had good luck with the 10 round plastic, so far it hasn't missed a beat.
 
Here it is with the 3-9x40 scope on it. It's awesome with this scope on it although I did clock the scope to the 9 o'clock position to clear spent brass. Overkill I'm sure but WTH? It's a keeper, that's for sure!:D

Gunpics003.jpg
 
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