Stevens Visible Loader Firing Pin

gary22 · January 5, 2011, 07:53 PM

I have a Stevens Visible Loader that has been passed down to me through my family. The gun no longer fires. I think that the firing pin may be shortened from use and i was wondering if there was any way to remove it and replace it without tearing the whole thing apart.

James K · January 5, 2011, 10:44 PM

I'll stick my neck out and say that IIRC, you can replace that firing pin without taking the gun down, but you have to be able to hold the breechblock in a vise to do it; that may require another pair of hands, plus brass or copper vise jaws.

But a very common problem with those guns is that so many firing pins are home made after the original broke, and were made too long. Then the rifle was dry fired and the long firing pin battered up the end of the chamber so the cartridge rim is not supported and the gun won't fire. I think you need to take a good look at that gun, or have someone knowledgeable do so to make sure what is wrong and if it can be fixed. You also need to determine if the gun is worth fixing; they are all old and many are just plain worn out.

Jim

January 5, 2011, 07:53 PM	#1
gary22 Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2011 Posts: 1	Stevens Visible Loader Firing Pin I have a Stevens Visible Loader that has been passed down to me through my family. The gun no longer fires. I think that the firing pin may be shortened from use and i was wondering if there was any way to remove it and replace it without tearing the whole thing apart.

January 5, 2011, 10:44 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I'll stick my neck out and say that IIRC, you can replace that firing pin without taking the gun down, but you have to be able to hold the breechblock in a vise to do it; that may require another pair of hands, plus brass or copper vise jaws. But a very common problem with those guns is that so many firing pins are home made after the original broke, and were made too long. Then the rifle was dry fired and the long firing pin battered up the end of the chamber so the cartridge rim is not supported and the gun won't fire. I think you need to take a good look at that gun, or have someone knowledgeable do so to make sure what is wrong and if it can be fixed. You also need to determine if the gun is worth fixing; they are all old and many are just plain worn out. Jim