Steven Model 35 Centerfire

[dtknowles]

I bought a Stevens Model 35 without a barrel.

322940

I had a 10" .22 lr barrel and was overjoyed to find this Frame etc. I am collecting and restoring some of these older guns. Anyway. The frame turned out to be centerfire. Sad. What caliber could it have been?

Tim

[cwtebay]

I had one in 410 at some point. I'm not sure if any other center-fire cartridges were available in that model though?

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[Texas by God]

A friend of mine has one in .410- registered as AOW for $5 back when.


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[dtknowles]

That might explain why it does not have a barrel.

[Texas by God]

I remember Hawes importing a copy of those in the “Seventies”.


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[Mk42gunner]

I've been thinking about this since I first saw the post.

Hint: you should stop reading now Tim. It could get costly. You have been warned.

Since you have a center fire frame and a .22 caliber barrel (no I don't know what it was originally meant for), you could make it into a .22 Ladybug fairly easily. Basically a necked down .25 ACP replacement for a .22 Long Rifle. A search of the archives should turn up relevant info.

The pistol doesn't look all that big or strong in the pictures I have seen, so I really can't recommend going for any of the larger cartridges. Might be fun.

Robert

[cwtebay]

I am with MK42. But in a slightly different direction. There could be enough meat in your barrel to go to a 32 S&W or 32 Colt. But even a 25 ACP could be a fun transition.

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[dtknowles]

Thanks for the ideas, I don't think 25 ACP based rounds will work because of the extractor, needs to be a rimmed cartridge. I do have a Tip Up model 34 that is the same size frame but brass. The 35 is steel or at least iron. The 34 is 32 RF. I will be on the lookout for another 32 cal barrel. The hinge pin on the 34 is smaller diameter so I can't swap them. I have put the .22 caliber barrel on the model 34 using a bushing to fill the bigger hinge pin hole.

I made some a few .22 long rifle centerfire rounds using .25 ACP brass machined down with .22 lr brass tubes glued to them. Only sort of works. I can't form the .25 acp or 5.7 brass to work when I machine the heads the bodies come off.
Tim

[Bent Ramrod]

Fiocchi sells (or used to, anyway) 5.5 mm Velo-Dog cartridges, which were a .22 centerfire of about .22 LR power with a metal jacketed bullet. They seem to be more or less equivalent to the thoroughly obsolete .22 Maynard centerfire.

If you really want to drive yourself bonkers, you could see if those cartridges are still on the market and get a rechambering job done on your barrel. Otherwise, a rebore or reline to something like .32 S&W would be your most practical move.

The wedge latch on those pistols has to fit the groove in the bottom of the barrel exactly in order for the pistol to be safe. I got a worn #35 that shot CB Longs very well, but the first Standard Velocity LR I fired popped the barrel open and ejected the cartridge automatically; fortunately, over my head. I made a replacement wedge for the worn original (which I noticed was serial numbered to the gun), and after 3 days or so of spotting and filing had the total engagement necessary to keep the action shut when firing Standard Velocity .22 LR. I wouldn’t dare try a HV in the gun.

[dtknowles]

Yeah, I looked for some Velo-dog ammo, could not find any.

Tim

[Mk42gunner]

The .25 ACP is a semi rimmed case. Not much of a rim, but it does stick out a bit.

Along the lines of the Velo-dog, you might look into the .22 CCM. I know I have seen a few boxes of brass at gun shows in the last few years. Nothing says you have to load any hotter than standard velocity .22 LR.

Robert

[pietro]

.

FWIW, the CF .22 Cooper is basically a .22 Magnum rimfire that's reloadable.

https://loaddata.com/Cartridge/22-CCM-22-Cooper-Centerfire-Magnum-Accurate-Loading-Guide-2/4751

[dtknowles]

It appears that .22 CCM is worth a look. Thanks

Tim

[uscra112]

Beats me. There was a "pocket shotgun" that took .44 Shot centerfires, but it wouldn't be mistaken for a 35.

Make it a .25 Stevens centerfire. Minor swaging/shortening of .22 Hornet brass, and I'll loan you my reamer.

[dtknowles]

Beats me. There was a "pocket shotgun" that took .44 Shot centerfires, but it wouldn't be mistaken for a 35.

Make it a .25 Stevens centerfire. Minor swaging/shortening of .22 Hornet brass, and I'll loan you my reamer.

Thanks for the offer, tempting but I am not inclined to modify the barrel I have because I can use it on my Bicycle Rifle.

Tim