Author Topic: stevens model 44 rifle! (Read 2185 times)

coopershooter · « **on:** February 01, 2005, 12:20:10 PM »

my dad has a stevens model 44, that except for the barrel is in great shape! it has the half oct. half round barrel. how much would it cost to have the barrel relined?
thank you!
coopershooter.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2005, 01:33:10 PM »

You didn't mention the caliber, but if it's a .22 it can run anywhere from $125-$200, and a centerfire will run around $225-$300, depending on barrel length and who does the work.

coopershooter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2005, 04:35:19 PM »

it,s a .22rf. can you recomend a smith? what is the accuracy potential of a relined barrel? can they be very accurate? thank you!

armory414 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2005, 05:02:55 PM »

I'd be interested in that info on relining also. I just picked up another 44 barrel today for $5!!! Now I have 2 to reline. My good barrel (never relined, like new) is in .22 LR, so I'd like to have the second relined to .22 Mag and the third relined to 17 HMR. That would be a great combo!!! If I could find a centerfire breechblock, I'd go .22 Hornet before the 17 HMR, though.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2005, 05:21:49 PM »

I can reccommend a couple that do relining. Norman Johnson at Hi Plains in N. Dakota, 701-448-9188, nrjonsnAwestriv.com or Beinke and Beinke at 541-882-3371
Either can do this work for you.

2520 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2005, 02:53:45 AM »

Armory414: .22 Hornet is not a good idea. The Model 44 Ideal is is like a large edition Favorite and is not a strong action. The breeching system is weak and the receiver is cast iron (not steel). The Hornet will tear it up in short time. Stevens once made the Model 44 in Hornet and soon quit for this reason. A new breech block would probably be needed for .22 mag and major parts for 44s are hard to find. .22 rimfire is probably the best cartridge for the Ideal. I have one in 25-20 Winchester and it works with light loads. I also have one in 38-55; it has a loose action and I know how it got that way. I have not got it fixed because I might be tempted to shoot it. Best of luck. 2520

armory414 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2005, 07:14:40 AM »

2520--Thanks for the tip. I thought that reduced loads in the Hornet might be feasible, but by that point I might as well shoot 17 HMR. I was aware that I might need another breech block, and was thinking that a block for a .32 rimfire might be within tolerances. I've talked to a couple of guys who've done the conversion to .22 mag. One had no problems with a .22LR breechblock, the other said that he had some misfires that were corrected once the face of the firing pin was dressed up.

2520 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2005, 08:26:19 AM »

Armory414: Your welcome. If you made the conversion to Hornet for light loads it may be OK, but you can never tell what the next owner may try. Best to error on the side of caution. I have not seen a .22 mag conversion and what you have said regarding breech blocks may well work. My 38-55 would probably be OK for light black powder loads and I will have the work done one of these days or sell it and let someone else try. The Model 44s are outstanding .22s and I would not trade my 25-20 for love or money, but one needs to realize the limitations of this action. Good luck with your project. There is a .25 Hornet which is a Hornet case necked out straight to 25 caliber and is supposedly safe for Ballards, Stevens, and other weak actions for the man who wanted a little more umph.

armory414 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2005, 01:34:09 PM »

2520--I've been learning what I can where I can about these Stevens single shots. My first one came in pieces--a 414 Armory model that was taken apart over 50 years ago bya gunsmith. I bought all the pieces I could at auction (they were scattered among several boxes) and ended up with most of a rifle minus the stock, lever, and rear sight. (I think the lever was long gone, scavenged for another rifle when this one was taken apart.) I managed to find a lever and tang sight, and will someday carve out a stock for it. It's a shooter!!! The barrel is all original and near new condition, and the case colors are still fairly bright.

Since then I've purchased 2 more, one with a shot-out barrel which I hope to reline in this project. I also picked up a Stevens Favorite action that I was hoping to fix up with the new barrels from Numrich, but it turns out that it was a Model 20 shotgun action with a breech-bolt that is a closer fit to 32RF.

2520 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2005, 02:58:47 AM »

Armory414: I have had 3 Armory models, the last was in excellant condition lacking the front barrel band which I could never find. I relined the barrel and it was a real shooter but I had a hard time with the peep sights. The barrel was real nice with the original bluing and I just could not drill it for a scope. I traded it for the 38-55 I now have. Currently I have 2 Favorites and they are both out for repairs; one for a reline and the other for color casing. Thinking about rebarreling one and add a scope mount. I have 2 Martinis that need some work also. When this is all done I going to look for a 44 1/2 Stevens in a centerfire-maybe 32-40. Can't get enough of them.

armory414 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2005, 04:40:04 AM »

OH the projects!!! It's not enough that us gun nuts buy more guns, we also buy the stuff to make old guns usable again!

I'm in the same boat. I picked up a Martini Mk IV action last year. I have no idea what I'll do with it, so I've set it aside until I decide. I have a No. 5 Remington Rolling block that I want to build into a sporting rifle, keeping it in 7x57. I'm thinking something with a half-octagon/half-round barrel would look nice. But the money I've been saving for that project I usually end up spending on other guns!

I saw a 44 1/2 action this past weekend that I would have loved to have, but it was chrome plated and I couldn't see paying $600 just for an action. I'm patient though, someday one will come along.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2005, 02:47:21 PM »

Armory 414,
You were wise to pass up that chromed action at $600! I'd gladly give that for an original 44 1/2 action, but not for the chromed one.
I've come across a few 44 1/2 complete guns in the last year. It's almost better to buy one of them in well used, than to start with an action. Or you could get a complete gun from CPA!
The last 44 1/2 I found was a #47 Schuetzen in Reno, Nv. at the Hilton show. It's a .32-40, with a CPA Pope repro lever, but the rest is original, and it was $1,000 so very reasonable considering it's in excellent shape, complete with midrange sights!
I'm an old Marlin guy, but I can't stop looking for more Stevens singles!
2520,
A good friend of mine has a couple of 44's in .38-55, and one in .32-40 too. They scare me, but I guess with really light loads they'd be OK.