J Stevens 520

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Shimitup

Shimitup

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Well I have a new toy, can anyone give me a little more info on it. There is nothing resembling a serial number on it. I'm guessing a very early model. The serrated suicide safety doesn't resemble the triangular nub I have found in photos of the earliest models. Thanks.

IMG_20210325_172709377_HDR.jpg IMG_20210325_172645944_HDR.jpg
 
Has a nice patina from being carried a lot. The 520's are good old guns, with a unique take down; the barrel assembly slides down out of the front of the receiver. Like earlthegoat2 says, they were what the guys who couldn't afford a Model 12 or Model 31 got for their 'filling the stewpot" gun.
 
Thanks all, unfortunately the stock had been cut for youth use and then added back later with a red spacer. Found the serial# on the barrel, if it matches the one I suspect I'll find on the side of the receiver tang it's an early one, the # has only 4 digits. It gets a complete teardown this weekend it's pretty nasty, it's incredibly tight yet glassy smooth in spite of the filth. I always marvel at Brownings designs.
 
Give the bolt a good hard look. They can and do crack from time to time.

Stocks are available. I replaced the buttstock on my 520a and it was pretty nice wood.

These were made in the days of paper shells and no shot cups. They benefit from having the forcing cone lengthened and polished. Diminishes felt recoil and improves patterns with modern shells.

Great gun. Enjoy!
 
DocRock said:
Give the bolt a good hard look. They can and do crack from time to time.

Stocks are available. I replaced the buttstock on my 520a and it was pretty nice wood.

These were made in the days of paper shells and no shot cups. They benefit from having the forcing cone lengthened and polished. Diminishes felt recoil and improves patterns with modern shells.

Great gun. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tips Doc, I Will take a careful look at the bolt.
 
DocRock said:
Give the bolt a good hard look. They can and do crack from time to time.

Stocks are available. I replaced the buttstock on my 520a and it was pretty nice wood.

These were made in the days of paper shells and no shot cups. They benefit from having the forcing cone lengthened and polished. Diminishes felt recoil and improves patterns with modern shells.

Great gun. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Got her cleaned up today, no evidence of cracks. I gave the bolt and breech block a very close inspection, not much wear on any of the parts. Clearly it has not been reamed for modern shells, the gauge bottomed on the forcing cone at 2.27" What do you think a reasonable charge should be for reaming it? I haven't had any gunsmithing done in decades so I'm completely out of the loop on what they're getting these days.

IMG_20210327_155403873.jpg
 
Your 520 has the old style safety and slide release. It was likely made between 1909-1911. My research says they went to the triangle type safety in 1911. They changed from the button slide release on the receiver to the tab release behind the trigger guard in 1914.

My 1915 model shoots modern shells just fine. No need to ream it out IMO.

Just for comparison here is mine...

BxwV2In.jpg
 
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