Steves Favorite question

[jlwilliams]

  I  see nice old Stevens Favoite rifles in 25 rimfire, often going for real short money.  I imagine they are less money than the same rifle in 22 because the 25 is obsolete and no longer available (at least not readily available).  I like a real antique as much as the next guy, but I'd like to at least be able to use it for something.

  Now, the Favorite is a take down rifle.  The whole front end comes right off with no real difficulty.  My question is, if I pick up an old 25, and make a 22 front end for it, will the firing pin be right for the smaller case?  I know I could change or modify the firing pin, but the idea for me is that I'd like to keep the original antique together and un modified, just have a 'shooter' front end for it.

[Reverend Recoil]

This might work.  Put a wad of modeling clay in the breach.  Close the action and snap the hammer.  Measure the firing pin indention location with a caliper.  This should tell you if the firing pin location will work for 22 LR.  I think it will be very close.  Your original barrel may be re-lined to 22 cal.  Good luck with your project.

[jlwilliams]

  I don't actually have one.  I have long wanted one, and will get one sooner or later.  I could just buy a new one, but where's the fun in that?  While looking at them online I saw that there was a huge difference in price between onld ones in 22 and in 25 or 32, so this train of thought came to mind.  What I really need is to look at one and see just what the firing pin looks like.  There is a good chance that even way back when, they would have designed a firing pin that worked for both (or even all three) rimfire calibers they offered.  It just seems like economical manufacturing.

  I thought about lining a barrel, but it would still be stamped 25.  Besides, it would be nice to keep the whole original package with add ons instead of making an original into a non original.  if that makes any sense.

[Lurker]

Find another front half, if you can, and reline it to 22 LR if your's is pristine enough to save it.

I have two favorites in 22 LR and have a lot of fun with them.

I also have a Varner reproduction of the Stevens Favorite, which is a really nice, high quality, rifle. It is far better than the original favorite ever was. Cost a hell of a lot more too...!

http://www.greenesgunshop.com/Departments/Varner-Sporting-Arms.aspx

Bill

[torpedoman]

I changed one to 22 and it worked no problems.