Very worn out Stevens Crack Shot

Buzzard Bait · April 29, 2016, 04:51 PM

I have a very worn out Stevens crack shot 22 rifle. Does any body have recommendations about who or where to send the barrel for relining?
bb

Roughedge · April 29, 2016, 05:05 PM

Is the barrel the only thing wore out? Most that have been shot a lot are loose as a goose.

Buzzard Bait · April 29, 2016, 05:31 PM

It is about the most totally worn out thing I have ever seen, relining the barrel would be the first step. The sum of all the parts and repairs it would need will likely exceed the value of the finished project. But some I can do myself and truthfully, every time I start thinking about fixing it I price the parts and the repairs and think maybe not and put it back up. But sometimes I think of not leaving something worn-out and broken behind after I'm gone too It's really just junk.
bb

Scorch · April 29, 2016, 07:44 PM

Don't reline the barrel, put a new barrel on it. It will cost less and shoot better, and there are people out there who can roll mark the barrel for you. The action screws are a standard part to replace, and you may need to bush the pivot points if it's real bad. But you are looking at exceeding the value of the rifle pretty easily. They sell for $300-$600 depending on condition, and just relining the barrel or rebarreling will cost $300 easy. Or you can just build a showpiece out of it, put a ridiculous amount of money into it, like I do to my rebuilds.

guncrank · April 30, 2016, 10:44 AM

I reline for about 135.00 including the liner

James K · April 30, 2016, 01:22 PM

If you go the relining route, there is your answer. ^^^^

Honestly, though, I don't see any point in spending money on the old gun. The few that go for the prices mentioned are ones in near new condition, not ones rebarreled and rebuilt. IIRC, those guns were reproduced a few years ago and those turn up fairly often in like new condition. Or just buy a good .22 bolt action and hang the old Stevens on the wall in honorable retirement.

Jim

Hunter Customs · April 30, 2016, 02:25 PM

I fabricated a locking roller the lever cams on to for a model 26 from bronze bar stock, tightened the breeching of the old girl right up.

The last time I saw the gentleman I did the work for he told me his Grandkids are still shooting that old rifle.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

Dixie Gunsmithing · May 1, 2016, 09:45 AM

These little rifles are a hoot to shoot. However, there are new versions of them out there. If I remember correctly, Benelli's Tom Knapp, was using one to shoot aspirins out of the air.

SGW Gunsmith · May 18, 2016, 10:26 AM

One of the most enjoyable projects I do to get through the doldrums of winter, is to restore one of the Stevens .22 rifles that were allowed to degenerate over time. This one came out of a cow barn that I bought for a case of "Bud Light".

Rifling was completely rotted away and the barrel was relined to preserve as much "originality" as possible.

I have several other versions waiting in the wings to get to, with a Model 44 "IDEAL" that's next.

James K · May 18, 2016, 10:38 AM

And if someone else, like me, wanted you to do that restoration, what would it cost? A fun project is one thing but there is a wild, unconfirmed rumor that gunsmiths like to eat, and I suspect you would charge a customer more than the gun would be worth. (I would!)

Jim

SGW Gunsmith · May 18, 2016, 10:54 AM

Cost? Whatever your skills will allow and a bunch of enjoyable time. I only do these for the grandkids & nephews. The liners I use are the Redman version. Rust & pitting removal is done by draw filing and block sanding to maintain lettering and sharp edges, all by hand. Rust bluing is done by hand. So, while you don't really need a whole lot of equipment, you do need to invest some time. If I'm not doing a single shot .22 Stevens, I stay busy making Ruger Mark pistol grips over winter.

All pretty much hand made and hand checkered.

**4V50 Gary** · May 18, 2016, 11:17 AM

I did conservation work on a similar Stevens for Francisco's Fort Museum (a trading post and not a military base) in La Veta, CO. Unfortunately, they had neither the funds nor inclination for restoration work. There was a Sharps percussion that needed restoring (new stock hammer, hammer screw and barrel relined) but they had no funds. Oh well.

Hunter Customs · May 18, 2016, 01:55 PM

SGW Gunsmith, nice work on both the gun and the grips.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

SGW Gunsmith · May 18, 2016, 02:31 PM

Thank you, sir.

gas_gunner · May 30, 2016, 10:03 AM

SGW Gunsmith:
I really like your work.

Danny

**4V50 Gary** · June 2, 2016, 01:55 PM

Hi SGWgunsmith - I see you use the W. E. Brownell's checkering tool holder. I have the same one and bought it direct from him.

SGW Gunsmith · June 14, 2016, 01:22 AM

Unfortunately, the daughter of W.E. Brownell and her husband sold the checkering tool business to a real nitwit. I've bought some single line cutters from the now owners, and those cutters are not worth the powder to blow 'em to hell with. W. E.'s son-in-law was a great guy to deal with and fortunately, I bought quite a few of the original American Walnut handles from him along with enough cutters in 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 LPI, with 2, 3 and 4 line spacing cutters to last me the rest of my days. I also prefer the 75º single line cutters for cutting the spaced lines to depth, on good, hard, wood like English Walnut. The 60º single line cutters are used to cut master lines, mainly because the spacing cutters are all 60º. The 90º single line cutters are used to bring the diamonds to point when dealing with the softer American Walnut used for grips and working stocks. My only hope is that some day, somebody with at least some inkling of knowledge concerning hand-cut checkering will buy out the current owners and get things right once again. I can't understand a dam thing these current owners are saying when I call, so I gave up on that.

I don't do much rifle or shotgun stock checkering like I used to do, mainly because there's just not that much demand these days, or those willing to contract this sort of work, and pay for the end result.

April 29, 2016, 04:51 PM	#1
Buzzard Bait Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 502	Very worn out Stevens Crack Shot I have a very worn out Stevens crack shot 22 rifle. Does any body have recommendations about who or where to send the barrel for relining? bb

April 29, 2016, 05:05 PM	#2
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	Is the barrel the only thing wore out? Most that have been shot a lot are loose as a goose. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

April 29, 2016, 05:31 PM	#3
Buzzard Bait Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 502	Its Junk It is about the most totally worn out thing I have ever seen, relining the barrel would be the first step. The sum of all the parts and repairs it would need will likely exceed the value of the finished project. But some I can do myself and truthfully, every time I start thinking about fixing it I price the parts and the repairs and think maybe not and put it back up. But sometimes I think of not leaving something worn-out and broken behind after I'm gone too It's really just junk. bb

April 29, 2016, 07:44 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Don't reline the barrel, put a new barrel on it. It will cost less and shoot better, and there are people out there who can roll mark the barrel for you. The action screws are a standard part to replace, and you may need to bush the pivot points if it's real bad. But you are looking at exceeding the value of the rifle pretty easily. They sell for $300-$600 depending on condition, and just relining the barrel or rebarreling will cost $300 easy. Or you can just build a showpiece out of it, put a ridiculous amount of money into it, like I do to my rebuilds. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 30, 2016, 10:44 AM	#5
guncrank Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2006 Location: Fern Creek ,KY and Metro Louisville at large Posts: 432	I reline for about 135.00 including the liner __________________ Republic Arms and Armaments 07 1-502-231-1118 Machine Shop and Finishing Services to the trade and public

April 30, 2016, 01:22 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If you go the relining route, there is your answer. ^^^^ Honestly, though, I don't see any point in spending money on the old gun. The few that go for the prices mentioned are ones in near new condition, not ones rebarreled and rebuilt. IIRC, those guns were reproduced a few years ago and those turn up fairly often in like new condition. Or just buy a good .22 bolt action and hang the old Stevens on the wall in honorable retirement. Jim

April 30, 2016, 02:25 PM	#7
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I fabricated a locking roller the lever cams on to for a model 26 from bronze bar stock, tightened the breeching of the old girl right up. The last time I saw the gentleman I did the work for he told me his Grandkids are still shooting that old rifle. Best Regards Bob Hunter

May 1, 2016, 09:45 AM	#8
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	These little rifles are a hoot to shoot. However, there are new versions of them out there. If I remember correctly, Benelli's Tom Knapp, was using one to shoot aspirins out of the air.

May 18, 2016, 10:26 AM	#9
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	One of the most enjoyable projects I do to get through the doldrums of winter, is to restore one of the Stevens .22 rifles that were allowed to degenerate over time. This one came out of a cow barn that I bought for a case of "Bud Light". Rifling was completely rotted away and the barrel was relined to preserve as much "originality" as possible. I have several other versions waiting in the wings to get to, with a Model 44 "IDEAL" that's next.

May 18, 2016, 10:38 AM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	And if someone else, like me, wanted you to do that restoration, what would it cost? A fun project is one thing but there is a wild, unconfirmed rumor that gunsmiths like to eat, and I suspect you would charge a customer more than the gun would be worth. (I would!) Jim

May 18, 2016, 10:54 AM	#11
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	Cost? Whatever your skills will allow and a bunch of enjoyable time. I only do these for the grandkids & nephews. The liners I use are the Redman version. Rust & pitting removal is done by draw filing and block sanding to maintain lettering and sharp edges, all by hand. Rust bluing is done by hand. So, while you don't really need a whole lot of equipment, you do need to invest some time. If I'm not doing a single shot .22 Stevens, I stay busy making Ruger Mark pistol grips over winter. All pretty much hand made and hand checkered.

May 18, 2016, 11:17 AM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,287	I did conservation work on a similar Stevens for Francisco's Fort Museum (a trading post and not a military base) in La Veta, CO. Unfortunately, they had neither the funds nor inclination for restoration work. There was a Sharps percussion that needed restoring (new stock hammer, hammer screw and barrel relined) but they had no funds. Oh well. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 18, 2016, 01:55 PM	#13
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	SGW Gunsmith, nice work on both the gun and the grips. Best Regards Bob Hunter

May 18, 2016, 02:31 PM	#14
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	Thank you, sir.

May 30, 2016, 10:03 AM	#15
gas_gunner Junior Member Join Date: May 29, 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	SGW Gunsmith: I really like your work. Danny

June 2, 2016, 01:55 PM	#16
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,287	Hi SGWgunsmith - I see you use the W. E. Brownell's checkering tool holder. I have the same one and bought it direct from him. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 14, 2016, 01:22 AM	#17
SGW Gunsmith Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2014 Location: Northwest Wisconsin Posts: 285	Unfortunately, the daughter of W.E. Brownell and her husband sold the checkering tool business to a real nitwit. I've bought some single line cutters from the now owners, and those cutters are not worth the powder to blow 'em to hell with. W. E.'s son-in-law was a great guy to deal with and fortunately, I bought quite a few of the original American Walnut handles from him along with enough cutters in 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 LPI, with 2, 3 and 4 line spacing cutters to last me the rest of my days. I also prefer the 75º single line cutters for cutting the spaced lines to depth, on good, hard, wood like English Walnut. The 60º single line cutters are used to cut master lines, mainly because the spacing cutters are all 60º. The 90º single line cutters are used to bring the diamonds to point when dealing with the softer American Walnut used for grips and working stocks. My only hope is that some day, somebody with at least some inkling of knowledge concerning hand-cut checkering will buy out the current owners and get things right once again. I can't understand a dam thing these current owners are saying when I call, so I gave up on that. I don't do much rifle or shotgun stock checkering like I used to do, mainly because there's just not that much demand these days, or those willing to contract this sort of work, and pay for the end result. Last edited by SGW Gunsmith; June 14, 2016 at 01:37 AM.