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Posted: 6/27/2013 11:33:41 AM EDT
This Stevens model 70 Visible Loader followed me home today. It is in rough shape so I got it for a song. I couldn't even rack the action in the shop but I have been looking for a cheap pump to round off my .22 collection. I am not scared of tinkering and have already found that a sticky firing pin was the culprit and I have plans to clean it up which shouldn't bee too hard. I have tested it with super colibris and found that it fires fine but the firing pin binds when loading the next round. I have two questions and would like any advise I can get.
#1 The magazine tube and inner are obvious replacements and there is no follower or spring in them.I would like to know where to find them or just find a spring and generic follower to fit. I have checked the usual sources numeric, fleebay the broker to no avail. #2 I would love to know the approximate age of the rifle. I know about 300k were made from 1907-34 but is there any way of dating ti with the ser# A148? 
This is a neat little gun and I would love to get it running as properly as it can  .
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Watch eBay. Parts show up to some extent randomly.
I was able to find an outside mag tube and an original inner. The inner was in great shape but the outer had a busted catch groove. Numrich (www.gunpartscorp.com) has parts such as springs. eBay and Gunbroker are better for bigger parts. If you find a source for new outer tubes, please clue me in too! Brownells does have new 22 cal inner tubes that you can custom fit if you want a new one of those. It's basically a kit with the tube, follower, spring and knob. You cut the tube and spring to fit and pin the knob. $25ish range. |
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Quoted:
Upon further searching I just found the inner and outer tube with springs from Numerich, I guess they do have everything . Feels good rehabbing an old rifle and cant wait to put her thru her paces.Where did you find the outer tube? Mod 70 parts list says its out of stock when I look. |
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# 707910, It was in stock when I ordered it, I guess I bought the last one. Now I am damn glad I didn't wait and hope they actually have it for me.
Image Product # Description Price 229840 Magazine Tube Assembly, Inner, .22 LR $24.80 707910 Magazine Tube, Outer $22.25 |
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All the parts came in from Numerich for my visible loader. The inner tube was new production and while it fits the rifle the it needed some tweaking to work well. The bullet tip of the bullet pusher was too pointed and jammed the rounds to one side of the tube. I melted it and pushed it flatter and now it works correctly. The tube itself was sharp and cut the lead of the bullet tips so sanding was in order. The outer tube looked to be a take off of a parts gun and was very worn and rusted. After a little oil and wiping it down it threaded right in to the gun perfectly.
I now have a working Stevens model 70 visible loader for under $130. Due to its age I have been feeding it a steady diet of aguilia super colibris and CCI quiets and it has been reasonably accurate for its age and condition. Lets say soda can accurate at 25 yards off hand. I have also learned these rifles are capable of slam firing like a Winchester model 12 shotguns. I do not recommend this abuse but its neat that it is capable of it. So here she is mostly cleaned up. 
Replacement tube closeups 
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The only problem I had with mine was an occasional gas leak around the breech, and naturally, the gas jet is aimed right at your eyes. I shot whatever .22 rimfire ammunition was handy, probably mostly Winchester Wildcat.
[I found a carton of that 1970's Wildcat a few years past in one of my boxes of forgotten gun stuff; I shot it up.] |
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