Need help w/ Stevens 87A

Glennster · September 4, 2006, 07:08 PM

I've got an OLD Stevens Savage 87A that jambs on the last few rounds in the tube.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
My 11 year old LOVES this thing, so I really do want to get it working.
Do you think it's possible that the spring in the feed tube is just too weak as it's pushing those final rounds???
Where can a guy get parts for the old beast???
I REALLY appreciate any help ! ! !
Thanks.................

cntryboy1289 · September 4, 2006, 08:59 PM

Go to Http://e-Gunparts.com

They should be able to help you.

Glennster · September 5, 2006, 05:31 AM

That's a great site!
Thank you !

James K · September 5, 2006, 10:30 PM

Good luck! Those were the biggest pains in the neck in my gunsmithing days. I hope the parts you need are still available, as I sure tried to use them all up.

Jim

Dave Haven · September 6, 2006, 12:05 AM

I've worked on a bunch of 87s. It's always fun when they go full auto...

KSR · September 6, 2006, 09:48 AM

Take the tube apart and clean it well. If it still does not work try a new spring.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...ZINE+TUBE+KITS

The springs are at the bottom of the page.

Hedley · September 6, 2006, 10:34 AM

Mine did the same, and it was the guide-spring at the end of the mag.

UniversalFrost · September 6, 2006, 10:47 AM

I have one as well that has a tendency to go in short bursts then jams (usually double feeds). Any ideas from those of you that worked on them?

Hedley · September 6, 2006, 11:06 AM

I haven't really shot mine a whole lot...bought it as a project, restored it and shot about 15 through her without a hicup. I can't see why it would go full-auto though. The problem I was having though, was that the guide spring(to fr left at end of mag tube) was bent, allowing multiple rounds to be chambered, jamming in the process. It never would cycle though, so I don't see how it could have fired.

James K · September 6, 2006, 08:35 PM

One of the big problems was that the magazine guide (the sheet metal feed area to the left in the photo) was made in two pieces and often spread apart; when that happened, it would not hold a round correctly and there was a jam. Those two plungers were a continual headache also. They usually stood up OK but the springs weakened very quickly and then the gun would not work.

For those who don't know, those guns (there were several variations under a dozen model numbers) had a rather unique semi-auto system. When the gun fired, the bolt came back and locked back until the trigger was released, at which point the bolt went forward and chambered the next round. I could never see why it would not work like any other semi-auto .22 rifle and even modified one to act that way. It jammed every shot; apparently all that machinery needed some kind of delay to work right. Every time I looked at one of those guns and compared it with the simple Browning, and the later Remington 66 and Marlins, I got more ticked off at whoever designed it.

Jim

September 4, 2006, 07:08 PM	#1
Glennster Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2005 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 226	Need help w/ Stevens 87A I've got an OLD Stevens Savage 87A that jambs on the last few rounds in the tube. Does anyone have any experience with these? My 11 year old LOVES this thing, so I really do want to get it working. Do you think it's possible that the spring in the feed tube is just too weak as it's pushing those final rounds??? Where can a guy get parts for the old beast??? I REALLY appreciate any help ! ! ! Thanks.................

September 4, 2006, 08:59 PM	#2
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	Numrich Go to Http://e-Gunparts.com They should be able to help you.

September 6, 2006, 10:34 AM	#7
Hedley Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,279	Mine did the same, and it was the guide-spring at the end of the mag. __________________ It is imperative to strike down the rise of modernism which would lend itself to folly such as the use of billet components.

September 6, 2006, 10:47 AM	#8
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	I have one as well that has a tendency to go in short bursts then jams (usually double feeds). Any ideas from those of you that worked on them? __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

September 6, 2006, 11:06 AM	#9
Hedley Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,279	I haven't really shot mine a whole lot...bought it as a project, restored it and shot about 15 through her without a hicup. I can't see why it would go full-auto though. The problem I was having though, was that the guide spring(to fr left at end of mag tube) was bent, allowing multiple rounds to be chambered, jamming in the process. It never would cycle though, so I don't see how it could have fired. __________________ It is imperative to strike down the rise of modernism which would lend itself to folly such as the use of billet components.

September 5, 2006, 05:31 AM	#3
Glennster Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2005 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 226	That's a great site! Thank you !

September 5, 2006, 10:30 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Good luck! Those were the biggest pains in the neck in my gunsmithing days. I hope the parts you need are still available, as I sure tried to use them all up. Jim

September 6, 2006, 12:05 AM	#5
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	I've worked on a bunch of 87s. It's always fun when they go full auto...

September 6, 2006, 09:48 AM	#6
KSR Junior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Posts: 2	Take the tube apart and clean it well. If it still does not work try a new spring. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...ZINE+TUBE+KITS The springs are at the bottom of the page.

September 6, 2006, 08:35 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	One of the big problems was that the magazine guide (the sheet metal feed area to the left in the photo) was made in two pieces and often spread apart; when that happened, it would not hold a round correctly and there was a jam. Those two plungers were a continual headache also. They usually stood up OK but the springs weakened very quickly and then the gun would not work. For those who don't know, those guns (there were several variations under a dozen model numbers) had a rather unique semi-auto system. When the gun fired, the bolt came back and locked back until the trigger was released, at which point the bolt went forward and chambered the next round. I could never see why it would not work like any other semi-auto .22 rifle and even modified one to act that way. It jammed every shot; apparently all that machinery needed some kind of delay to work right. Every time I looked at one of those guns and compared it with the simple Browning, and the later Remington 66 and Marlins, I got more ticked off at whoever designed it. Jim