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Babydriver
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Rolling block #4
Mar 30th, 2026 at 10:15am
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Any opinions on a #4. Not sure I like the takedown feature. How does it affect accuracy if at all? This one I’m looking at is a sleeved 22LR.
  
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Jamey
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #1 - Mar 30th, 2026 at 11:18am
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I have one of the later takedown versions with the knurled button, not the earlier lever version. It also just has the original blade front sight and leaf rear sight. It’s plenty accurate enough for 25 yard plinking, I also use it for teaching because it’s easier for kids to operate and see if it’s loaded or not. What I’ve seen is that it’s comparable to a Stevens Favorite - typical boy’s rifle.
  
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bobw
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #2 - Mar 30th, 2026 at 12:17pm
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Here’s a rifle I built from a Stevens Favorite which is basically the same barrel hookup as the number 4.  The barrel slides into the frame and is retained by the lower screw.

The target shows what it can do.  The red dot is 3/8 inch.  While not target quality I didn’t think it was to bad for a cheap Green Mountain barrel and that barrel connection.  Now if I could just hang a target rightside up! Grin
Bob

  

Robert Warren
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Jonathan
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #3 - Mar 30th, 2026 at 12:55pm
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      I own two #4s, one in 22 with a relined barrel and one in 32 that I had converted to 32 S&W center fire. Both of them are the earlier version with the lever type takedown. They both shoot 1 3/4 inches at 50 yards and are a lot of fun to shoot. I have put a lot of rounds through both of them with no issues but it's wise to check the the lever for tightness now and then. The 32 is one of my favorite "walking around' rifles because it weighs nothing and has enough pizazz for the errant cats that I encounter far to often. In it's vintage takedown case it straps to my bike easily and makes me feel like a kid from 1915. Great little rifles.
  
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Deadeye Bly
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #4 - Mar 30th, 2026 at 1:23pm
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The solid frame ones are better as they won't shoot loose like the takedown ones. Otherwise fun little guns.
  
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pmcfall
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #5 - Mar 30th, 2026 at 2:11pm
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I have 4 Granddaughters and when each was born, I would buy a No. 4.  I rebuilt each one with a lined barrel, new color case, rust bluing and fancy wood closely matched to each other.  I got repo tang sights for them from the Rolling Block guy.  Even though we tightened each up, I suppose over time and a lot of shooting they will loosen up but I sincerely doubt they will ever be shot that much.  Anyway, here they are. 
Phil
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« Last Edit: Mar 30th, 2026 at 2:22pm by pmcfall »  
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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #6 - Mar 30th, 2026 at 3:19pm
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Yesterday at our monthly collector OAC gun show a friend brought a very unusual #4 over that he just won at an online gun auction. It's a #4 that began life as a solid from in .32RF with full octagon barrel, and got converted by AW Peterson of Denver, Co. to a shotgun. Peterson bored out the rifling so it just barely removed it all, but I could just note a trace of the remnants of it when looking closely. He then turned the forward half from the forearm down to typical shotgun thin style round, and added a shotgun bead.
Peterson removed the threaded area on the barrel and sleeved the receiver, then fitted a #4 takedown lever and rod to make it a takedown. He also cut down the top of the receiver ring to make the bead front sight easy to see.
The whole gun was very nicely color cased and aged to about 60% on the receiver, and 95% barrel bluing. Still in .32RF, but for shot. I happen to have a box of .32RF Shot cartridges made by UMC with wooden shot capsules that are 3 piece and made to separate on exiting the muzzle. He's begging me to sell them to him, but I really like having this neat old box of ammo.
  

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ndnchf
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #7 - yesterday at 5:50am
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Just about all the lever takedowns become loose over the years. It really was not a very durable system. About 35 years ago I soldered a loose barrel into the receiver of my sons .32 with CF breech block. Problem solved. It has remained tight ever since.
  
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rkba2nd
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Re: Rolling block #4
Reply #8 - yesterday at 9:21pm
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I would think that a Lock Tite product might be available that would make the barrel easily removeable if needed.
  

rkba2nd
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