If you've spent any time scouring the internet for squires bingham model 20 parts, you already know these old-school .22 rifles are both a joy to shoot and a bit of a puzzle to maintain. They have that classic, rugged feel that you just don't see in a lot of modern "plastic-heavy" rimfires. Whether you inherited one from your grandfather or picked up a beat-up project at a local gun show, keeping these Philippine-made beauties in working order is a labor of love.
The Squires Bingham Model 20—which you might also know by its Armscor branding—is one of those rifles that just refuses to quit. But, like any mechanical tool that's been around for a few decades, things eventually wear out. Springs lose their tension, firing pins get brittle, and magazines well, magazines have a habit of disappearing into the ether. Finding the right components to get it back into "plinking shape" requires a bit of know-how and a little patience.
Why This Little .22 Is Worth the Effort
It's easy to wonder why someone would go through the trouble of hunting down squires bingham model 20 parts instead of just buying a brand-new Ruger or Savage. Honestly, it comes down to the character of the gun. These rifles were built back when even "budget" guns had a lot of steel and real wood. They have a certain heft and a mechanical "clink" that feels satisfying.
The Model 20 was a staple for many shooters growing up. It's a simple blowback semi-auto, which means there isn't a whole lot to go wrong, but when it does, it's usually one of three or four specific things. Because the design was so successful, it actually lived on through Armscor as the Model 20P and even influenced the M1600 (that funky .22 that looks like a miniature M16). This is great news for us because it means some parts are interchangeable, even if the names on the receiver are different.
The Most Common Squires Bingham Model 20 Parts You'll Need
If your Model 20 is acting up, you can usually narrow the problem down to a handful of usual suspects. Let's look at the parts that tend to need replacement most often.
The Magazine Situation
Let's be real: the magazine is usually the first thing to go. Either the spring gets tired and fails to feed the last round, or the feed lips get bent out of shape. If you're looking for squires bingham model 20 parts, the magazine is likely at the top of your list. The good news is that because the Armscor M1600 and the newer 20P use essentially the same action, those magazines often fit. Just keep an eye on the capacity; the 10-round and 15-round versions are the most common, and they're generally pretty reliable if you keep them clean.
Firing Pins and Extractors
If you're pulling the trigger and just getting a "click" instead of a "bang," your firing pin might be the culprit. These rifles were sometimes dry-fired a bit too much over the decades, which can lead to the tip of the pin becoming mushroomed or even snapping.
Similarly, the extractor is a tiny but vital piece of the squires bingham model 20 parts puzzle. If the rifle is failing to pull the spent casing out of the chamber, check the extractor and its tiny spring. These parts are small, easy to lose during cleaning, and definitely prone to wear after thousands of rounds of dirty rimfire ammo.
The Recoil Spring
Is your bolt feeling a little sluggish? Or maybe it's slamming back too hard? The recoil spring is often overlooked. Over thirty or forty years, a spring can take a "set," meaning it doesn't have the same "oomph" it used to. Replacing this is a cheap way to make the rifle feel like new again.
Tips for Disassembling the Model 20
Before you start ordering a bunch of squires bingham model 20 parts, you should probably take the gun apart to see what's actually going on inside. Now, a word of advice: these aren't as complicated as a Swiss watch, but they have a few quirks.
First, make sure it's unloaded (obviously). When you take the action out of the stock, you'll notice that everything is fairly straightforward. However, the bolt assembly can be a bit finicky. When you're pulling the bolt out, keep a finger over the back so the recoil spring doesn't launch itself across the room. Trust me, finding a tiny spring in a shag carpet is a nightmare you don't want.
While you have it apart, give everything a good soak in some solvent. You'd be surprised how many "broken" Model 20s are actually just filled with fifty years' worth of unburnt powder and grease that has turned into something resembling industrial-strength glue. Sometimes, you don't even need new squires bingham model 20 parts; you just need a toothbrush and some elbow grease.
Where to Hunt for Hard-to-Find Components
Since these aren't in active production in the same way they used to be, you have to be a bit of a detective.
- Specialty Part Dealers: Places like Numrich Gun Parts or Bob's Gun Shop are usually the first stop. They specialize in "obsolete" models. Even if they don't have a specific part listed under "Squires Bingham," try searching under "Armscor Model 20."
- Auction Sites: eBay and GunBroker are gold mines for squires bingham model 20 parts. Often, someone will "part out" a rifle that has a cracked receiver or a rusted barrel, selling the internal bits piece by piece.
- Gun Shows: Don't walk past the bins of random "junk" at your local gun show. You might find a baggie of old .22 parts that contains exactly the extractor or magazine catch you've been looking for.
- The Armscor Connection: Since Armscor took over the legacy of Squires Bingham, some of their modern production parts for the 20P or M1600 are direct fits. It's always worth checking if a modern part can be slightly modified to work in an older gun.
Making Custom Repairs
Sometimes, the squires bingham model 20 parts you need just don't exist anymore. If you're a bit handy, you can actually manufacture some of the simpler bits. A firing pin, for instance, can be filed down from a piece of tool steel if you're patient enough.
But for most of us, we're looking for "drop-in" solutions. If you find a part that's almost right, remember that these rifles were made with a bit more hand-fitting than modern CNC-machined guns. You might need a small needle file to take a tiny bit of metal off a new extractor to get it to seat perfectly. It's all part of the fun of owning a vintage firearm.
Keeping the Heritage Alive
There's something incredibly rewarding about taking a rifle that hasn't fired in twenty years, finding the right squires bingham model 20 parts, and hearing that first "pop" at the range. These guns were built to be used, not to sit in a safe gathering dust.
They're accurate, they're lightweight, and they have a history that connects the American shooting tradition with the skilled craftsmen of the Philippines. By taking the time to track down a firing pin or a new magazine, you're making sure this piece of history stays on the firing line for the next generation.
So, don't get discouraged if you can't find everything you need in one go. Keep checking the forums, keep an eye on the auction listings, and keep that old Model 20 clean. Once you get it cycling perfectly, you'll remember exactly why you started this project in the first place. It's just a plain old, fun-to-shoot rifle, and honestly, that's the best kind there is.