.22 semi-auto rifle loading problem

[CoRoMo]

Savage Model 187R that has never fired more than three shots in a row without some sort of failure.
This .22 semi auto rifle will either fail to fully cock the action after a shot, or it will sometimes fire two rounds at once. What's that called? Double-feed? When it happens to fire two rounds with one pull of the trigger, the action is not fully cocked afterwards. I have to eject that cartridge and load the next with a full cocking. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Bartkowski]

What ammo are you using? And you are saying that the gun will shoot one round and then another, and you only pull the trigger once, correct? I don't know what is wrong, but you may want to call the factory, and see if they can offer any help.

 

[Jim Watson]

No, firing two shots "at once" is called "doubling." It is a form of full automatic fire caused by dirt, wear, or trigger manipulation. Most likely dirt or wear, considering the other malfunctions you say. The only thing I can think of is to learn how to take it apart - be careful, there are some stamped and riveted parts in there that are not meant to come apart - and clean it very thoroughly. Gunsmith repair might cost more than the old gun is worth.
Most of those rifles were made so you could push the bolt knob to the left and lock it shut, then operate it manually, worse comes to worst.

A co-worker has one of those that he asked me to help him sight in. Off a solid rest, the way I pressed the trigger would cause it to double, triple, or run away until empty or jammed.
It would not do it from a standing position and the owner could not do it at all, but he was so scared of it that I doubt he has shot it since. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[Cougfan2]

I had an old Savage M87B that doubled on me the first time I shot it and then had a FTF. Had to disassemble it at the range and found that a spring had some how dislodged. Lodged the spring back where it was supposed to go and no more problems.

 

[Cougfan2]

Most of those rifles were made so you could push the bolt knob to the left and lock it shut, then operate it manually, worse comes to worst.

Exactly. That's the way my 87B works.

 

[fixyurgun]

I reassembled my fathers 187 incorrectly and created this problem one time. I failed to screw the reciol plug in all the way in, this allowed doubling & caused fte problems.A weak or broken spring could do the same thing

 

[Jim K]

Those rifles were made under several model numbers and makes (Savage, Springfield, Stevens) plus trade names, and in both box magazine and tubular feed.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but IMHO, no matter what the model number, name, or type of feed, they were the absolutely worst semi-auto .22 ever foisted on the American public. If one thing didn't fail, something else did, and trying to fix one is the path to insanity.

Now parts are getting hard to get. I very strongly recommend hanging it on the wall and letting some poor sap in a future generation try to make it work.

Jim

 

[CoRoMo]

I've used a few different types of .22LR ammo, all with the same outcome. Doubling and FTF. If not every shot, every couple shots. Since my father gave me the gun, I guess I'd prefer to attempt to repair it or have it repaired before I give up on it. I've disassembled it as far as I feel comfortable and cleaned it the best I can, but it must have some worn parts that have to go. So, what would you suggest? Should I just replace the entire action, or just start with the sear? Cocking piece? Numrich doesn't list the Savage/Stevens 187R so I assume there is a model that is closely related enough to interchange parts. Any idea? Thanks guys.

 

[fixyurgun]

I would start with the springs(#3 & #6 in the 187A diagram). Then move on to other parts if that doesn't fix it. good luck. jim

 

[chipperi]

My uncle gave me one and said if you can get it to shoot its yours...if not saw the barrel down and stock down so you get more money for it at the next Baltimore City gun buy back.... I gotta 100 bucks for that POS