Old gun, is it worth the time and money?

[snowman46919]

I have an old what I can best bet to be a stevens tool company crackshot single shot 22lr with an octagon barrel and bead sight. It was supposed to be my first gun project before grandpa got sick. As things go grandpa never got better and I haven't had the heart to get out the old gun since the 21 gun salute. I figure its about time I do something with it since he always said guns are nothing more than tools and should be treated and maintained as such. Here are a list of problems as I see them:

1. I need a good smith with knowledge of turn of the century guns
2. this bad boy needs a stock
3. is it worth it?

honestly if I put a grand in this it would be worth it to me so 3 is kind of a moot point but does put bearing on when i can start.

 

[dice dealer]

On gun broker they are running around $200 and up .

Having a piece of yyour family history ,,,,Priceless ...

They are great guns have shot a few and wish I had one in my collection

 

[jeremy]

I personally would take the time to redo the gun...
Think of it as one of the last learning events from your Grandfather...

 

[Disposable Heart]

If it's still in working condition, what is even the question!? Learn to cut some wood, carve up a stock (to add YOUR tradition to the rifle), and refinish it. Guns like that aren't for sellin' cause you want some poly-pistol or some crazy stuff, its for passin' on!

Any GOOD gunsmith worth his salt should be able to work on that rifle. Parts might be touchy, but those can be fabbed up if needed.

I wonder if Hoosier Gun Coat has his hot blueing tanks!

 

[miguel]

Yes, it is worth it. Don't let Gramps down!

 

[rem700]

do it. something you can even give your kids one day or just as a memory of grandpa.

 

[snowman46919]

I need a good quality smith as the extractor is still functional but does not have the umph to extract a shell would be my bet as it is strong as about tin foil (the good stuff not this paper thin steamrolled crap you see now). I have a wood working shop at my disposal but without even so much as a template as to not gum up the lever works for the breach I am just more safe than sorry kind of guy and would hate to ruin a good piece of walnut or cherry just to throw it out and start over.

 

[dice dealer]

Stevens Favorite Parts Gun .22cal : Other at GunBroker.com

Not a crackshot but basicly the same gun ...its in Indiana ...would be A good parts gun ....Just a thought ....and maybe some help to you ...

 

[snowman46919]

Thanks, so does anyone know of a gunsmith worth his salt in the Grant, Miami, Howard county area?

 

[jeremy]

Here is a really good place to get parts for the older firearms...

Numrich Gun Parts Corporation

 

[2cool9031]

It is not going to be worth it if you are going to sell it. It would be worth it in sentimental value.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Here is a really good place to get parts for the older firearms...

Numrich Gun Parts Corporation

I second Numrich look at the stevens model 71 I believe, Im ordering parts for a newer model myself.
Also check out www.savageshooters.com lots of knowagable people over there

 

[philagothon]

... I have a wood working shop at my disposal but without even so much as a template as to not gum up the lever works for the breach I am just more safe than sorry kind of guy and would hate to ruin a good piece of walnut or cherry just to throw it out and start over.

How about practicing with pine and using that as your template? Then it's not near as heart/wallet breaking if you don't get it on the first try. Btw, congrats on taking up the project and honoring your grandfather, I hope it's a great trip down memory lane.

 

[Stschil]

Glad this forum is what it is and the people here are who they are! Saving links and responses for my future heirloom project.

I will be the recipient of an old Steven's single shot youth model .22 LR (someday) that was my Great Grandfather's. This rifle adorned the mantle over our fireplace as I was growing up. I have always wanted to refurbish it and hopefully pass it on to my children. Now I just have to talk my Dad out of it so that he will be able to enjoy it once it's back in it's original condition.

 

[451_Detonics]

Step one would be to determine exactly what model you have, take it to a gun show or two and ask some of the collectors. Or if you are in Lafayette check in at Diamond V Outdoor Sports, they deal in a lot of vintage 22s there.

I wore out the extractor on my Crackshot, a gunsmith simply built it back up and re-cut it by welding on some material.

A new stock should not be hard to find and shouldn't cost much more tha 100 bucks in walnut.

I would restore it for a family gun...should n't have more than $300 bucks unless you want to re-case color the receiver and re-blue the other parts.

 

[H&HMarine]

I have 2 of them, one is like new and the other is modified to a .38 special and I totally refinished it, duracoated it and refinshed the stock and it looks great. They are extremely accurate guns for the money.

 

[snowman46919]

Here she is by the way and apparently its a favorite fifteen the brother to the crackshot

 

[Duce]

Don't reblue that rifle has earned every mark. Gently steel wool and oil, use plenty, to remove scale and crud. By your picture it looks pretty good as is. Check with Butch's at the 1500, he may have a buttstock.
Found his card, no phone, he'd never get anything done. Address:
L&K Guns and Parts
23697 414th Avenue
Bellevue, IA 52031
Send him a snail mail with your needs, he's a great guy.
Here's mine it was my grandpa's hog rifle it had an octagon barrel that was shot out.
I saved it but replaced it with one from Numrich Gun Parts Corp. - The World's Largest Supplier of Firearms Parts and Accessories set in place and drill for set screw. The stock was split from the toe to the action. I rasped the bottom of the stock flat and grafted in a new piece. It's a hoot to knock a few squirrels out of a tree with it. FWIW My Gandpa Stottlemyer passed away when I was 4 days old................Duce<><

 

[snowman46919]

Don't reblue that rifle has earned every mark. Gently steel wool and oil, use plenty, to remove scale and crud. By your picture it looks pretty good as is. Check with Butch's at the 1500, he may have a buttstock.
Found his card, no phone, he'd never get anything done. Address:
L&K Guns and Parts
23697 414th Avenue
Bellevue, IA 52031
Send him a snail mail with your needs, he's a great guy.
Here's mine it was my grandpa's hog rifle it had an octagon barrel that was shot out.
I saved it but replaced it with one from Numrich Gun Parts Corp. - The World's Largest Supplier of Firearms Parts and Accessories set in place and drill for set screw. The stock was split from the toe to the action. I rasped the bottom of the stock flat and grafted in a new piece. It's a hoot to knock a few squirrels out of a tree with it. FWIW My Gandpa Stottlemyer passed away when I was 4 days old................Duce<><

Had no intentions of rebluing just got some pretty nasty stuff I have to get off of it. Numrich has nothing for this rifle luckily my barrel seems in excellent shape. I talked to a guy in merrilville that said he would help me out but said this wouldn't be a high priority thing for him to do so it would take 6 months to a year to fix the extractor for me

 

[jeremy]

I think you have the Starting of a pretty nice rifle. You might see if a local Machine Shop could or would be willing to craft parts for you also...