Stevens Model 87B: Cleanup advice?

[TheEngineer]

So i gave the stock the Acetone bath last night and scrubbed the old glue off with a wire brush...ill let it dry another day and get to work on in sometime this weekend

Question though: I picked up a 1/4" oak dowel rod. The problem I see is that the stock is probably only 7/16-1/2" thick at best...should i be worried about cracking when i go to drill the dowel holes?

 

[IndyGunworks]

If you are good with a drill 1/8th of an inch on either side should be enough. If you are concerned opt for something a bit smaller. better to error on the side of caution with this one because you don't want to have to fix your fix.

 

[TheEngineer]

So after 2 failed attempts, the 3rd time was definitely the charm...my 2-piece stock is now whole again!

I ended up using a 3/16" dowel rod, cut into six 5" long dowels that i chucked up into my drill (or mini lathe ) and sanded the tips to a slight point and cut a spiral groove down the length. I spread the wood epoxy on all of the broken surfaces, wrapped strips of rubber between my dowel holes and clamped it up. I coated each dowel with a bit of epoxy and worked them in...let it dry and sanded it clean.

I turned out pretty good in my opinion...but all i care about is it is functional again. The dowels blend in pretty well but the repaired cracks are obvious...oh well, it will give it character. Im leaning towards a dark walnut stain with a few coats of linseed oil as the finish, unless anybody has any better suggestions.

Thank you guys for all of the advice

 

[IndyGunworks]

pictures?

 

[TheEngineer]

Ill take some at lunch and post them...i brought it to work today to show the guy who gave me the dowel rod, so its out in the truck

 

[TheEngineer]

Ok, so here are some quick pictures i snapped at lunch...sorry about the size, it was giving me issues trying to upload the pictures

Overall

Left side, bottom view

Bottom view

Right side, bottom view

Left side, top view

Right side, top view

Left side view

Right side view

 

[TheEngineer]

I still have some sanding to do to smooth out the surface and the inside needs some clean up, but it is what it is

 

[dak109]

I have one of these too. I inherited from my Dad before he passed. It never did work right, jam-o-matic. I had it worked on so Dad could shoot it before he passed. He never would come out and shoot it.

Anyway, from what I gather it is par for the course for these to fill the stock with ammo if you load it with the chamber open? Mine does that if you load it with it cocked. I have to dry fire after the las round. Then it seems to work ok.

they are very neat guns, of course I may be biased from the sentimental value.

 

[TheEngineer]

Ladies and gentlemen....i present to you the revitalized 1953 Savage/Stevens Model 87B!!

Repaired cracks on the right side

Repaired cracks on the left side

 

[red_zr24x4]

The stock turned out very good, congrats!

 

[TheEngineer]

The stock turned out very good, congrats!

Thanks...its still obvious that it was repaired, but it looks pretty d*** good considering it was in 2 pieces before.

And thank you for the lead on parts from the Numrich website...the left extractor was broken so i ordered one from them, should be here early next week and then i can sling some lead

 

[IndyGunworks]

looks pretty darn nice

 

[red_zr24x4]

Thanks...its still obvious that it was repaired, but it looks pretty d*** good considering it was in 2 pieces before.

And thank you for the lead on parts from the Numrich website...the left extractor was broken so i ordered one from them, should be here early next week and then i can sling some lead

You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine

 

[Mosinguy]

Very nice!

 

[TheEngineer]

Well i finally got the replacement extractor on Saturday and got it installed...that officially wraps up the restoration.

Now i just need to get my hands on some .22 to test it out...its killing me right now, i dont even know if this thing will cycle at the moment.

Once i can pick some up, ill put a few rounds down range to test functionality before i invited the old man out to be reunited

 

[red_zr24x4]

Just remember to load it with the bolt closed, they tend to jam otherwise