Stevens .22/.410 light strike?

[gbeauvin]

Hello everyone! I recently pulled my grandfather's Stevens .22/.410 out of the closet (it's been sitting in one closet or another for the past 25 years or so) and took it to the range to sight it in. I've been trying to take up small game hunting this year and finally made some time to get to the range (with 1 month of season remaining, go figure).

What i discovered was that in addition to shooting ~4-5" right at 20 yards, only about 50%-60% of the rounds actually fired. I started with 5 rounds out of a box of Blazer ammo I'd picked up at the range. Those worked rather poorly so I followed with 5 from a box of CCI that I'd shot with 100% success in another rifle about a year ago.

The guy at the range suggested that the hammer seemed a bit stiff, and that perhaps a good cleaning would solve the problem. So at home I took the gun apart (first time I've taken the stock off a gun... that caused other problems for another thread). The innards didn't look all that gunky, but I slathered some CLP all over the place and went at it with a toothbrush, then wiped it down. I went ahead and played with the firing pins, and both appear to be free-floating (I've read that the .22 should have a spring, but the .410 shouldn't). The .410 sticks out further than the .22, is that normal? I've got a picture down below.

I've also read that the angle of the... thingy... that pushes on the hammer can affect how reliably the .410 fires, so I've also taken a picture of that. Unfortunately I don't know what's "normal". I haven't tried firing the .410 yet, since I was at an indoor range and they frown on that sort of thing.

thanks,
GB

 

[au_prospector]

Tired springs maybe?

 

[LAGS]

I take it you are not experiened in taking this style of firearm apart.
If Not, then DONT.
You need to have it looked at by a gunsmith.
The action is very simple, but there is a little Knack to get it back together and not bend some of the internal parts.
I have one and the piece you are talking about being bent is the selector .
But before you just go replacing parts, I would have the firing pin protrusion checked on both the 22 and .410 selector positions by someone with the skills and Knowhow.

I would say that if the gun was in a closet for as long as you say, then it is well overdue for a Total Tear down and cleaning by a professional.

 

[dagger dog]

gbeauvin,

Brownell's has a series of books "Gunsmith Kinks", 4 volumes of how to information on firearm repair and modifications by gunsmiths around the world, plus a bunch of jokes, recipes and general knowledge of what it takes to keep your guns running. IMO worth twice the price.

You can access their web site, their printed catalog used to come with coupons for a discount on the 4 volume set.

I guess the printed catalogs are going the way of newspapers as the digital revolution has caused them to charge for a hard copy version.

If guns are significant part of your life that 4 volume set makes a great addition to your
library.

 

[LAGS]

@ dagger dog
The Gunsmiths Kinks books are a great suggestion, But, they are not a firearms disassembly tutorial.
The books are great if you have the Skills to utilize the information, and to help with Tricks related to certain firearms.
I admit that I have learned a few tricks from the books, but the books will not always answer specific questions.
I have a feeling that this OP needs a Professional opinion on the problem at hand, and a full disassembly and inspection of all the parts is warranted.
It could be nothing more than crap in the areas of the firing pins.
But they need to be removed inspected and cleaned by more than a flooding with some cleaner.

 

[BBBBill]

... I guess the printed catalogs are going the way of newspapers as the digital revolution has caused them to charge for a hard copy version...

They have always charged for the catalog if you don't order often, but they always refund the cost on your first order over the minimum. I get mine free since I've had an account for 37 years and order on a regular basis.

 

[FROGO207]

I order at least $100 worth of stuff from them a year and they always send a new catalog with my next shipment after it is available. FWIW they have stuff that is not commonly available so are a great resource.

For the Savage 24's I own several and all I have had to do is clean everything well to restore operation with mine.

 

[mnrivrat]

I am with the take it to the Gunsmith group. If you've not a stock off before then your asking for more headaches by trying to do this on your own.

FYI another light strike internet fix :

Top image is suppose to be the correct main spring plunger angle for the head to make proper hammer contact.

 

[natman]

I am with the take it to the Gunsmith group. If you've not a stock off before then your asking for more headaches by trying to do this on your own.

FYI another light strike internet fix :

Top image is suppose to be the correct main spring plunger angle for the head to make proper hammer contact.

Could you please supply a larger picture and a link?

Thanks.

 

[mnrivrat]

Could you please supply a larger picture and a link?

Sorry , this is just something I grabbed off the internet some years ago. It will not respond to my attempts to re-size, and I do not have a link ?

 

[natman]

I searched a bit and found this:

http://www.cylindersmith.com/savage24/misfire.html