Stevens 15a - manual?

[Quoheleth]

Is there someplace that gives detailed instructions for a complete breakdown of a Stevens 15A, particularly the bolt? I suspect my internal firing pin spring is weak and my firing pin also needs to be replaced. I'm getting light strikes and failure to fire more often than firing. How do I get the bolt apart?

I know Numrich has the parts. I'm trying to figure out if I can do this myself or if I'll have to pay a 'smith to do the work.

It's a family heirloom, so I want to get it in working condition so my kids can use the same gun their Grandpa (my dad) used back in the 40s and 50s and I used in the 80s and 90s.

Q

 

[dfariswheel]

I very much doubt that any disassembly guides even exist.

Usually, these types of bolts come apart by driving out a cross pin near the rear of the bolt.
Sometimes you have to actually pull the striker assembly to the rear to expose the pin.
The design is simple, but reassembly can be difficult since the factory used a clamp fixture to hold the mainspring and other parts together while the pin was reinstalled.

Best advice, is to let a pro do it unless you feel competent dealing with a spring-loaded assembly that needs three hands.

 

[highorder]

Remove the bolt from the receiver.

The center pin on the back of the bolt will unscrew counterclockwise.
This will allow you to remove the striker and spring.

The extractor is an L shaped pin that when drifted out will allow the firing pin to be removed.

I suspect that your firing pin is broken in half at the extractor. I had the same problem with light strikes. You may be able to find a replacement, but anyone handy can make a replacement from suitable stock. I used 1095 and heat treated it.

If you need pics, or more details, let me know.

 

[Quoheleth]

Now I see what you are describing. I unscrewed the center pin and the striker/hammer came out.

Can the spring come out of the striker unit? If so, how? Moving the pin in & out of the striker, I can hear grit in there. A good flush wouldn't hurt it, I suspect.

Now, on the extractor: I see what you're talking about, but it's been wedged into the bolt assembly, as though someone took a cold chisel to the bolt assembly and put just enough of a divot into the bolt so the extractor cannot be removed.

I guess I'll just take this to a local 'smith and see what he can do. I wouldn't think this is too much $ for a job like this. Then again...

Thanks,
Q

 

[highorder]

Cut out that divot, and make another when you have the new firing pin installed.

Worked for me.

You will have to flush/soak the striker assembly. I dont believe that further disassembly is possible.

 

[rusty lee]

I too have a 15a with bolt problems. Mine won't release when cocked. I think it's missing parts. If someone could look at theirs and let me know that be great. thanks

 

[highorder]

Rusty, what exactly do you mean it wont release?

Take the action out of the stock and note that the trigger acts directly on the sear. The sear must release the striker because you got the bolt out of the receiver.

Can you cock the striker when everything is assembled?
How do you release it if it will not fire?

I'll take another look at mine tonight and troubleshoot for you.

 

[Quoheleth]

Rusty - how did you get the cocking-knob loose? Does it screw off? Did the spring come out of it?

Q

 

[rusty lee]

Ok when striker is pulled back {cocked} and you pull the trigger the striker does not move. you can push it foward but there is no tension like a peice is missing maybe a spring.

 

[rusty lee]

The cocking knob came right off there is a spring in the striker housing I think it's broke.

On numerich they list a mainspring washer I don't have one. I am ordering a new spring and washer but need to know how this goes together. thanks

 

[highorder]

Rusty,

it does sound like your striker spring is broken.
I hadn't looked at Numrich; are they selling the spring, or the assembly?

(pick up a firing pin with your order. It never hurts to have one around.)

Get your parts and we can get this thing back together!

 

[rusty lee]

something isn't right and before I buy parts I'd like to know what the problem is. would realy like to see a picture of one that works so I can see whats different.

 

[highorder]

I'll try to take some pictures tonight.

What would you like to see?

Do you have any clearer pics? perhaps a macro setting? (most look like a flower.)

I'd like to know exactly how the knob came off the striker, and what the striker looks like from behind. also, what do the threads on the pin look like? How does the sear on your rifle look?

 

[rusty lee]

I'd like to see how the spring fits on the long silver bolt. and where the washer goes, towards barrel or towards butstock end of silver bolt. also does the spring fit inside the striker. my knob unscrewed right off the striker then the long silver bolt unscrewed then I pulled out the striker. the sear looks ok In my guestamation anyway. I did order a new mainspring mainspring bolt and washer.

 

[rusty lee]

 

[rusty lee]

 

[highorder]

ah ha. It looks like the washer fits between the striker and knob.

Mine is a model 15, not the 15a, so there is a minor difference.

 

[rusty lee]

does your spring stay inside the striker? got any pics?

 

[highorder]

Ok, striker differences:
My striker has the spring captive inside. The small cylinder that protrudes from the front is sprung and moves into the striker when compressed. The spring is contained inside the striker body by a washer in the back end. The washer is retained by a ring of metal that is swaged from the striker body.

It looks like your striker body is not swaged; instead the head on the threaded shaft is bigger. The head holds the washer against the striker body creating spring tension when assembled into the bolt.

How does all that sound?

Also, is the peening on the front of your striker from the back of the firing pin?

 

[rusty lee]

ok thats great. my striker has a peen mark on the front where I assume it hits the firing pin. so your spring is all in the striker. does the metal pin/bolt stick out the knob end of striker when assembled. guess when my parts arrive I'll try putting it together with washer inside knob. thanks

 

[rusty lee]

I streched out the spring and after messing around a bit it now seems to work. I am going to wait for the new parts before I fire it. the firing pin doesn't seem to retract enough to touch the striker. But THANKS for all your help will let you know if it fires.

 

[Quoheleth]

I want to thank all who contributed to this thread. The last couple posts showing how to remove the cocking bolt have been helpful. I got Dad's old gun broken down. LOTS of gunk in there. I'll order parts in the next couple days and see about getting them reinstalled. Nice thing, this looks like a job an average joe can do with some simple tools - a file, a punch, and a bottle of Hoppe's.

Thanks again fellow High Roaders.

Q

 

[highorder]

No problem, and sorry for the minor hijack!

I really like my little Stevens. I got it from my dad, who got it from his uncle. My chamber has a nasty pitted ring from decades of firing shorts in the LR chamber. Aside from rough extraction for .22lr ammo, its accurate and fun.