Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Normal Topic Stevens 44 Project Status (Read 4737 times)
First_Shirt
Ex Member


Stevens 44 Project Status
Nov 21st, 2005 at 9:33am
Print Post  
I picked up a "beater" Stevens 44 in .25 RF a couple years ago, with the intention of eventually building a .22 RF silhouette rifle.  Later, I decided to build a "multi-purpose" rifle, with a stockset for offhand, and a different one for hunting/silhouette.

I just recently got the barreled action back from Mr. HST.  Glenn extensively reworked the action: fit a .22 RF breechblock, lapped and trued the breech face, worked over the trigger, and fit a ball-n-spur lever casting.  He then fit and match chambered the 28" #3 Green Mountain barrel, and turned it to half-round contour.  Not satisfied, Glenn recut the sides and receiver ring of the action to true it up, and remove all pitting.  Once again, I sent him a sow's ear and got a silk purse in return!

Last year I acquired a blank of what the supplier referred to as "albino Bastogne" walnut.  The sanded wood looked much the color of curly maple, but much harder and more dense.  It darkened to a nice golden brown with the first application of sealer...a unique piece of wood.  I designed the offhand buttstock around a Remington schuetzen buttplate casting I got from Gail at CPA, and made a typical Stevens 1-screw forend to match.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

The hunting stock will be another light-colored piece of wood, English walnut this time, in a Stevens Model 45 pattern with a shotgun buttplate.

Both iron sights (tang/globe) and a Unertl 6x small game scope are going to be installed.

Greg

  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
PETE
Ex Member


Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #1 - Nov 21st, 2005 at 3:28pm
Print Post  
Greg,

  Excellent looking gun in both the metal and woodwork. Should make a dynamite offhand rifle for 100 yd. shooting. When you get the bench stock on it post a coupla of pictures of that to.

  Did you, or are you, having a thru bolt put on?

PETE
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
First_Shirt
Ex Member


Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #2 - Nov 21st, 2005 at 4:11pm
Print Post  
Thanks Pete.  No, no throughbolt.  The plan is to epoxy stainless-steel inserts into the top and bottom of the wrist of both stocks, machine screw threaded to accept the tang screws.  This should alleviate the problem of the wood screws loosening/stripping with use.

Greg
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
PETE
Ex Member


Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #3 - Nov 21st, 2005 at 5:24pm
Print Post  
Greg,

  My thinking of the screws eventually working loose was why I've had thru bolts put in a coupla rifles. Your idea tho sounds like it mght be even better. Easier to do anyway. The bracket on a 44 1/2 I had done looks like a broken dog leg, and even now I have to sit back and recall how we installed it when taking it apart.

  Interesting figuring on the stock. Very unusual.

PETE
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Ex Member
*****


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #4 - Nov 21st, 2005 at 8:07pm
Print Post  
Hi Greg,
Really great looking gun Greg! Looks a lot like my 44 in .22! Mine is setup with a Helm buttplate, heavy round barrel, and standard lever. I like your lever a lot more, and maybe I'll tear mine down and send the action to Glenn to fit that same lever!
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
First_Shirt
Ex Member


Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #5 - Feb 1st, 2006 at 2:54am
Print Post  
Well, my project 44 is another step closer to completion...I got an email from our resident Master Engraver last night, and he's finished the scratching!  Boy, am I pleased...Thank You, Ken!

Now, it's off to Classic Guns in Beecher, IL for color case.  Won't be long now!

Greg

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Dale53
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 810
Location: Southwestern Ohio
Joined: Apr 17th, 2004
Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #6 - Feb 2nd, 2006 at 1:13am
Print Post  
This is going to be a stunner!

I think that a Stevens 44 makes up one of the nicest .22's around.

Dale53
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
First_Shirt
Ex Member


Re: Stevens 44 Project Status
Reply #7 - Mar 1st, 2006 at 9:09pm
Print Post  
Well, just got the metal work back today, and BOY!  I'd like to thank all the folks who had a hand in this one, Ken Hurst for the incredible engraving, Classic guns, Inc. for the color case, and Glenn Fewless (HST) for the metalwork and rust blue on the barrel.  It's all together now, and gets a trial run this weekend at a gallery match, can't wait!  Only thing left is to get this stock off to Mrs. Hurt for checkering...but that'll have to wait until I get tired of shooting it!

Greg

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint