Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 3  Send TopicPrint
Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Stevens 44 frame stress (Read 19344 times)
Rebel
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4292
Location: Rockets and Race Cars
Joined: Mar 9th, 2015
Stevens 44 frame stress
Jun 20th, 2015 at 4:31pm
Print Post  
I'm fitting a Stevens 25-20 barrel to a Stevens 44 receiver.
This is a parts gun and the barrel and receiver are from different rifles.
The barrel wants to stop screwing in by hand about 10 degrees from aligning correctly and when tightened with a wrench looks to align and headspace well. (lucky)
My question is, have I put too much stress on this receiver by wrench tightening the last 10 degrees?
As a rough guesstimate, 30 FT/LB of torque to tighten.
  

WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. Let's Go Sonny!
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
westerner
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


deleted posts and threads
record holder.

Posts: 11580
Location: Why, out West of course
Joined: May 29th, 2006
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #1 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 5:44pm
Print Post  
No. 

Joe.
  

A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JLouis
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 10625
Joined: Apr 8th, 2009
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #2 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 5:51pm
Print Post  
Everyones opinion is going to come into play with that question so keep in mind that most will be only that perssonel opinions. Steve Durrren had an on going rifle building project article in the Journal and if memory serves right he likes to leave the barrel 1/16 shy of top dead center whrn screwing barrel on hand tight and tourqing it the rest of the way. What that equates too I don't have clue but it is more than would realize and Steve is one of top single shot gunsmiths in the nation. I know not much help but a call to him would be. The train of thought is to screw it up hand tight and LocTight it leaving no stress and I like to do both if I don't have plans on switching barrels and using the same action via CPA's approach. They incorporate a barrel retaining screw and it works extremely well also.
  

" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JLouis
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 10625
Joined: Apr 8th, 2009
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #3 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 5:57pm
Print Post  
I might add that when using CPA's system I wrap the threads with Teflon tape, it helps take up any slack in the threads and it has seemed to be an improvement and it has worked extremely well for me over the years?
  

" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
westerner
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


deleted posts and threads
record holder.

Posts: 11580
Location: Why, out West of course
Joined: May 29th, 2006
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #4 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 6:07pm
Print Post  
Teflon tape is for sealing threads in some plumbing fixtures, not barrel shanks in firearms. 

If you have slack in your threads, something is not machined right.  Set the barrel back and start over. 

        Joe.
  

A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
QuestionableMaynard8130
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4144
Location: Benton  Harbor MI
Joined: Apr 17th, 2004
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #5 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 6:20pm
Print Post  
teflon tape is a sealer and a gap filler, and also an anti-sieze compound the plumbers use----My dad was one for almost all my life and I worked with hm a fair amount-----it basically prevents water leakage and it helps keep the the connection from rusting shut in case later removal is required.   
I don't know how that all applies to fire arms use, but I don't think of it as a substitute for a precise mechanical fit.
  It'd be interesting to hear what Durren, Taylor, Fewless and some of our barrel-makers think of it.
  

sacred cows make the best burger
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
calledflyer
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 3603
Joined: Mar 9th, 2015
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #6 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 6:26pm
Print Post  
I'd prefer 10 degrees of tight, or even a little more before tape or screw glue. I bet lots of 'em are that tight.  If you want it looser, hit the front with a file one lick Undecided
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Rebel
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4292
Location: Rockets and Race Cars
Joined: Mar 9th, 2015
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #7 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 8:21pm
Print Post  
Thanks Guys,
I guess I was just a little cautious, I haven't worked with many (or any) cast actions.
I don't need the takedown feature and prefer a good solid lock between the parts.
  

WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. Let's Go Sonny!
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JLouis
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 10625
Joined: Apr 8th, 2009
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #8 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 8:25pm
Print Post  
Never said the threads were not a nice tight hand fit so not sure where that assumption came from. I know very well what Teflon tape is used for and now I am sorry I even brought it up! Is there not anyone left in this group that can find the positive side of anything anymore? I have never seen such a negative group as this one has been lately! Please whatever you do don't use Teflon tape on your threads unless your barrel is leaking fluids back into your action, you might blow the damn thing up!
  

" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Rebel
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4292
Location: Rockets and Race Cars
Joined: Mar 9th, 2015
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #9 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 8:28pm
Print Post  
I was taught that Teflon tape lubricated the threads on pipe fittings, allowing the tapers to more easily mate.
Sort of a plumbing aphrodisiac.
  

WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. Let's Go Sonny!
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
BP
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 8039
Location: Westside
Joined: Aug 27th, 2006
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #10 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 9:14pm
Print Post  
JLouis wrote on Jun 20th, 2015 at 8:25pm:
... Please whatever you do don't use Teflon tape on your threads unless your barrel is leaking fluids back into your action, you might blow the damn thing up!

Wow!
I completely missed this somehow...
When did we start allowing hydraulic propulsion of plain based bullets in our single shots?
How's it being done?
When will the new rules get published?
    Grin
  

There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading, the few who learn by observation, and the rest who have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
Proud Noodlehead
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
slumlord44
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2850
Location: Lebanon, Illinois 62254
Joined: Dec 21st, 2007
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #11 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 9:50pm
Print Post  
To me it would be a "feel" thing. If, as you tightened it, the thought that something was about to break never came into your head, you are probably fine. Recently installed a non original .44-40 barrel on a 44 1/2. As I recall it was tight when I got it properly indexed but nothing that worried me. No idea how many degrees it was off from hand tight. I am thinking more than 10 degrees. It also headspaced fine. Some days you get lucky. As far as Teflon tape, unless you are trying to take up a large amount of slop I would not think it would hurt anything. The threads and the barrel set screw will keep it all together as long as the headspace is right. I used anti seize on mine when they are tight to make sure they come off again. If the fit is slightly loose I would think the Teflon tape would accomplish the same thing while taking up the slop. I have heard of shims being used when the barrel would tighten up too far.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Rebel
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4292
Location: Rockets and Race Cars
Joined: Mar 9th, 2015
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #12 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 10:06pm
Print Post  
I'm not sure how Teflon tape got into this thread, but I don't use it on firearms.
  

WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. Let's Go Sonny!
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
boats
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7586
Location: Virginia
Joined: Apr 23rd, 2004
Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #13 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 10:14pm
Print Post  
I have use Teflon tape on the barrell threads of my 1993 CPA. It's barrels have been switched a whole lot. Never kept count but perhaps couple dozen times a year.

It makes a slight difference in the way the threads take up. About the same as when the threads are greased or anti sized.  Lately I use Anti Size instead.

CPA or original 44 1/2 systems are in my opinion the best of Rifle takedown methods. Simple repeatable and don't show much wear.  I shoot old double shotguns and 100 plus years later many are loose from being taken down. Common advice with new TD shotguns is light lube, to minimize wear.

Screw tight fixed is a different thing.

Boats
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
John Boy
Ex Member


Re: Stevens 44 frame stress
Reply #14 - Jun 20th, 2015 at 11:11pm
Print Post  
Quote:
Teflon tape is for sealing threads in some plumbing fixtures, not barrel shanks in firearms.

And Gail will agree!  She told me repeated use of Teflon will wear down the threads
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 3 
Send TopicPrint