Rimfire Central Firearm Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

  • Whether you're a greenhorn or a seasoned veteran, your collection's next piece is at Bass Pro Shops. Shop Now.

    Advertisement

Model 70 barrel woes

Jump to Latest
330 views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Sav22  
R
#1 ·
Several years ago I picked up a model 70 in good overall mechanical and cosmetic condition as a cheap novelty, (I enjoy different solutions to mechanical problems).

However, it had obviously been some kids toy in the past, the chamber has a nice clean chunk missing from dry firing, and the firing pin had been clipped.

Replacement firing pin not a problem, but that barrel.....

I've bought a couple of visible loader barrels over the years but neither are a direct replacement. 1 is octagonal, suspect earlier, longer than my problem one with different dovetail spacing. The other round but with a different front sight dovetail. The other difference is the "Trademark Stevens" is inverted compared to my original barrel and the finish is not great.

Any guidance on how to narrow down the year I should look for to find a direct replacement ? Some pics
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
 
#4 ·
There was an old gunsmith local to me who said he did a lot of Visible Loaders by just sleeving the chambers and not the whole barrel.

The early Visible Loaders had 20" barrels marked with just a single chambering, either 22 SHORT or @@ LONG RIFLE and a very narrow front dovetail and a screw mount rear sight, they had case-colored receivers. Sometime after WWI they went to 22" barrels with a .438" front sight dovetail that were marked with small stamps either 22 SHORT or 22 S, L, & LR and blued receivers. In 1931 they upgraded to a pistol grip and a 24" octagon barrel, octagon barrels were only originally to the last ones. There may have been some crossover during changes, but I don't think so with the last change. You find some 20" barrels with the large 22 SHORT stamp and smaller stamps below of the symbol & and then below that 22-LONG RIFLE.
 
Rimfire Central Firearm Forum
posts
6.9M
members
216K
Since
2002
A family friendly forum community dedicated to rimfire firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion of all manner of rimfire pistols, rifles, optics, ammo, gunsmithing, customization, reviews, hunting, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
CZ / Brno Off Topic Lounge Open Rimfire .22 Ammunition (S-L-LR) Scopes, Sights, Rings, Mounts & Other Optics