It has been 39 years since the last production 5mm rifle was built. Remington abandoned its attempt to introduce a cartridge to compete with Winchesters .22 mag. By 1984, Remington obsoleted the cartridge production...entirely. Leaving about 30,000 rifle owners with no source of ammo.
The Remington 591 and 592 owners were left to compete for what ammo the could scrounge up. Prices eventually were well over $100 a box.
Fast forward to 2005.... And developement discussion for a newly manufactured 5mm production run takes place at the annual Shot Show. Centurion, years later, eventually commits to make some runs.
Besides Remington, one other manufacturer also made a committment to producing a 5mm rifle. Thompson Centerfire would create a 23" heavy bulled barrel for the early Contender. These barrels are not that common.
Imagine my surprise, when a LGS pulled one out of his old stock. He knew I owned one of the early Remington rifles, and wondered if I would want that 5mm TC barrel for a project? We found a 1st generation Contender frame and put the two together.
So out of the pile of obsoleted parts, a new project was born.
I wanted a modern looking rifle,... And so, opted for a set of synthetic stocks, modern scope and rings, and a Blackhawk cheekpiece. Lots of parts chasing later....
This is the completed gun.. a Phoenix of sorts
Interesting link about the new ammo.....
Varminter.com Online Magazine - Centurion 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum
The Remington 591 and 592 owners were left to compete for what ammo the could scrounge up. Prices eventually were well over $100 a box.
Fast forward to 2005.... And developement discussion for a newly manufactured 5mm production run takes place at the annual Shot Show. Centurion, years later, eventually commits to make some runs.
Besides Remington, one other manufacturer also made a committment to producing a 5mm rifle. Thompson Centerfire would create a 23" heavy bulled barrel for the early Contender. These barrels are not that common.
Imagine my surprise, when a LGS pulled one out of his old stock. He knew I owned one of the early Remington rifles, and wondered if I would want that 5mm TC barrel for a project? We found a 1st generation Contender frame and put the two together.
So out of the pile of obsoleted parts, a new project was born.
I wanted a modern looking rifle,... And so, opted for a set of synthetic stocks, modern scope and rings, and a Blackhawk cheekpiece. Lots of parts chasing later....
This is the completed gun.. a Phoenix of sorts
Interesting link about the new ammo.....
Varminter.com Online Magazine - Centurion 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum
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