I am new to the forum.  I have been looking to purchase a used rifle.  I have been looking at stevens model 44 and the favorite.  It seems that there are many rimfires available in 25 and 32.  I want to know is it difficult to convert them to 22lr or a center fire such as 25-20?  Is it a costly operation as I would need to send it out to have it done?  I am also an engraver of 3 years expierence.  I would like to have 3 or 4 single shots for display at the FEGA show in 2015.

Thanks so much.  I just received my first copy of SSE.  I would really like to get a copy of that Oct. 2010 issue you mentioned.  Do they have back issues available?  Also is there an index for the magazines to check on other past articles?

Thanks again I will folow up on it.

with the Favorite it is best to stay with rim fire, 22s or 17.  The 44 can be made centerfire in 25-20, 32-20 and a few others. While there were a few made in 32-40 and 38-55 they had an extra support with the hammer going under the breach to hold it up.

40_Rod wrote on Aug 26^th, 2013 at 9:34am:


Can't say that's what I've observed, at least with respect to the .32s. (.25s are much scarcer.)  Before the ammo dried up, they were cheap to shoot, often in the hands (it would appear) of not very meticulous owners.  As recently as 30 yrs ago, Canadian-made ammo was plentiful at gun shows.

No sin at all in my opinion in converting the "well-used" ones.  (And not much sin, frankly, in converting the very nice ones, IF a first-class job is done.) If a shootable bore remains, the excellent, accurate, .32 S&W Long is hard to beat.  I'd do this with my mint #4 Rem. if I didn't find all boy's rifles unsatisfying to shoot.

With a .32, extractor and the firing pin will probably have to be relocated. With the .25 an extractor or possible to weld it up to work. Firing pin may work or may have to be relocated.

For your information on the conversions:  I am in the process of having two "Parts" 1894 series Stevens Favorite actions put back into working order.

There are several different "series" of Stevens Favorite actions and they are Not All the Same Strength.

You can go to "Wisner's" web site and find a article on the Stevens Favorites and how to tell them apart, and identify which parts fit which series.

In General the first design is the '1886' and is the smallest "Scantlines" or design strength, as it was designed for the .22 RF series of the time, and there were more .22RF cartridge designations than are presently available.

The 1894 Series version was designed with stronger "Scantlines" to handle the .25RF and the .32RF cartridges and were even tried in some of the weaker, at the time CF cartridges, but found later to be slightly weak for Smokeless Powder loads in those CF calibers.  this design did successfully work with the RF calibers in Smokeless Powder loadings.

The 1915 Series is designed with even stronger "Scantlines and some strengthening features that can be used to advantage with small, but useful CF conversions to such as the .32 S&W Short, and Long, if loaded within reason.  Many have reported successfully c9onverting .32 Long RF to .32 Long Colt, a caliber with the same body diameter, and smaller than the .32 S&W CF series, which greatly reduces the chance of someone inadvertently trying to fire a heavy modern load in these older rifle actions.

Then there are the Model 44 and 44-1/2, the strongest reported in the series,  the Model 30 both old and modern all of which are higher current prices than I find reasonable Except for a Custom Reproduction of the Model 44-1/2 with the Beauty and strength to justify the high prices.

AS to my own projects, they are both 1894 series and since I acquired spare Breech Blocks, will be set up with CF Breech Blocks to fire the .32 Long Colt, hand loaded with Cast inside lubed Heeled Round Flat nose Bullets.

Several years ago Wisner said he planned on making replacement breach blocks for the Favorite. He said there are four different breach blocks for this action.