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Another Stevens 44 question (Read 3844 times)

waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2845 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Another Stevens 44 question Mar 3^rd, 2005 at 10:43pm	Print Post
	We have discussed the physical weakness in the 44 design, but are they only suited for rebuilding to .22 rimfires? I have often thought one would make up into an interesting .38 Special set up for wadcutter bullets. Has anyone ever tried that? Or how about .32 S&W Long? Or .32 H&R "magnum"? If you made up a .38 Special or equivalent on a 44 action, how would you make sure that some daffy soul would not shoot +P type loads in the thing. Chamber it for .38 S&W instead? Or maybe .38 Long Colt length cases? Could you breech seat a standard .38 wadcutter bullet?


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singelshotman Ex Member	Re: Another Stevens 44 question Reply #1 - Mar 4^th, 2005 at 4:48am	Print Post
	I think the Stevens 44 is an OK action for the smaller centerfires-i owned one in .32-40 and one in 25-20SS and another in 28-30 over the years. I never had any trouble with any of them-but i never used anything but BP and Duplex loads in them. Once i did shoot some factory 32-40 jacketed ammo by winchester and it did fine-this was back in the 1980's when you could get factory 32-40 ammo. However i would never build one in 38-55, as i feel it's temping fate-all someone has to do is fire a .375 winchester round in it and his goose is cooked-it would blow into tiny pieces.


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PETE Ex Member	Re: Another Stevens 44 question Reply #2 - Mar 4^th, 2005 at 5:16pm	Print Post
	Waterman, Most of the Stevens 44 actions were chambered in RF and CF pistol cartridges, with quite a few in .32/40 and some other "hotter" calibers as has been mentioned. It didn't take Stevens long to realise that the 44 action couldn't reliably handle these "hotter" calibers As you know in todays litiginous world recommending anything more than a .22 RF for this action could lead to all sorts of legal problems. You seem to realize this when wondering how you could keep someone from putting a +P .38 Spec. load thru one. You can't! The +P is made to shoot in a standard .38 Spec. So is the ++P loads? If you don't want to follow the recomendations of the more knowledgeable shooters on here as to what's appropriate then you are entirely on your own. Be sure to wear eye protection! PETE


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marlinguy Ex Member Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater!	Re: Another Stevens 44 question Reply #3 - Mar 4^th, 2005 at 5:58pm	Print Post
	There are all sorts of rifle and pistol calibers that the Stevens 44's were chambered for, but as mentioned, Stevens pretty quikly figured out most were too much for the little 44. I just sold one that was originally chambered for .44-40, and surprisingly still tight! I never shot any factory loads in it, nor any reloads that wweren't loaded way down. I'd stay clear of a .32 H&R Mag in this frame. A .32 S&W wouldn't be bad, as long as you didn't decide to push it. Is there a reason you wouldn't just keep it down to a low pressure cartridge, and use a stronger action for your project?

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quiet_jake Ex Member	Re: Another Stevens 44 question Reply #4 - Mar 4^th, 2005 at 10:26pm	Print Post
	Howdy: I'm new to this BB, but loved my Stevens Mod. 44.....had one for about 15 years I got used that had been rechambered for 38-55....and I put hundreds if not thousands of rounds thru it....in my younger more naive days.... and it did rather loosen up the lever pin a bit, but that was easily fixed.... never shot anything over standard factory loadings.... but caution finally prevailed, I found a 'smith that wanted it pretty bad and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.... it was a wondreful combo, I could hit the end of a pop can at 100 yards all day long....back when my eyes worked that well...


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