I need help "fixing up" an old Savage Model 37 .410 shotgun.

[ijosef]

EDIT: It's a Stevens Model 37, my mistake.

This shotgun has belonged to my father since the 1960's and it was bought used back then, so I'm sure it's pretty old. I estimate the value (books and what I can find on the market) at about forty bucks, so it's not worth a trip to the gunsmith.

It shoots fine, but when you pull the bolt back it doesn't eject the shell. You either have to pull it out with your fingers or turn the gun upside down and give it a shake. I tried to take pictures, although I'm not photographer nor a master of the macro. The bottom of the bolt has a lot of chatter marks on it, I assume as evidence of very rough machining from the factory.

Anyway, my questions are as follows:
1. Is there anything I can do to improve ejection/extraction?
2. The gun is pretty old and a bit rusty. How should I go about cleaning it up?
3. Sometimes shells don't slide into the chamber when you push the bolt forward - it's like they ram right into since there is no feed ramp or anything. Would it be possible to create one or somehow alleviate this?

 

[rcmodel]

Clean the rust off with 0000 (Extra Fine) steel wool & oil.
It will not hurt whatever remaining bluing there is left.

As for the feeding and ejection issues, I can't tell you exactly what the problem is.

But a total cleaning of the receiver & bolt, along with some good lube will probably help a lot.

Once you get that done, further investigation may find some worn or bent parts.

rc

 

[Riss]

Like many bolt guns it should have a fix ejector somewhere in the receiver. It could either be missing or damaged.

 

[sonier]

sounds like the ejector could be worn down or broke off.

 

[ijosef]

Okay guys, thanks for the help. Do any of you know how to disassemble the bolt on one of these things? I can't find any online tutorials, and it doesn't seem very intuitive.

 

[LaserSpot]

Does the bolt look the same as the Stevens Model 59B?

See: http://books.google.com/books?id=zR...l 37 disassembly&pg=PA436#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[ijosef]

It's similar, but there are a few differences. Perhaps I can take more pictures. I think I'm going to have to drift out some pins though (which look rusted in place). I was a fool for thinking it would be as easy to disassemble as my Mosin Nagant bolt.

 

[Maj Dad]

Before you start tapping on pins, soak the bolt for a day in a good penetrating oil such Kroil. Judging by the overall appearance, those pins will be rusted a bit as well.

And if it were my dad's gun, it would be priceless. Personally, I would have it restored to pass on to my son and grandson... Just my 2 cents.

 

[Riss]

Soil it in Kroil or PB Blaster and I will check to see if my 410 bolt gun is a Savage or not. Either way, I would not think that the problem is in the bolt. There has to be an ejector somewhere in the receiver to kick out the left side of the spent shell.

 

[ijosef]

I think you guys are correct. I should adjust my terminology to the gun having an ejection problem rather than an extraction problem. There's a tiny spring loaded claw on the bolt face that grabs the rim of the shell and allows it to be pulled backwards when you open the bolt after firing. This works fine - it's just that the shell doesn't pop out of the chamber afterwards. I think the ejector part might be missing - I'll take a closer look.

Before you start tapping on pins, soak the bolt for a day in a good penetrating oil such Kroil. Judging by the overall appearance, those pins will be rusted a bit as well.

And if it were my dad's gun, it would be priceless. Personally, I would have it restored to pass on to my son and grandson... Just my 2 cents.

I should've read this piece of advice before I started tapping on pins! D'oh! :banghead: I was lucky though, as the pins came out fairly easily. I'm still not able to get the bolt completely apart though, so soaking it is a good idea. It smells horrible!

I should probably clarify on this being my dad's gun. My dad is alive and well - he just asked me to clean this up before he visits and we go shooting together the next time. It might be an heirloom someday, so if that happens I will definitely fork over the cash for a competent gunsmith to refurb (reblue, refinish, adjust, etc).