Reader Forum

Spring ield Model 87A I found "Bringing A Springfield Model 87A Back To Life" (January 2015) very interesting as I have a Stevens (Savage) model 87A (acquired in 1949) and Model 87D. No serial numbers on these, though the first patent number of 2094577 is on both guns. These are kind of neat guns in that they are semi-auto with long rifle but can shoot shorts and longs with the bolt. The elevator in my 87A is worn out and won’t bring cartridge up high enough.

Never bothered replacing it (would like to someday) as the still 87D works fine. I normally use the 87D to show students how to shoot targets without using the sights. Robert Kilp Author Dick Maheu responds. Thanks for your kind response and interest in my article, Robert. I have worked over many of these rifles in the past that were being handed down to a son or grandson who accompanied their father or grandfather.

What a delight it is to see the look on those youngsters faces when you hand them their gun for the first time. These are great learner guns in the single shot mode. Sako L57 I have a Sako L57 in the shop that has safety problems. I found another safety for the rifle and installed it, but the rifle still fires when safety is engaged. I can’t find information or schematics for the gun. Does the safety just keep the bolt locked open when engaged or does it prevent discharge?

Tony Carbone T&C Gunsmithing The last we heard, Sako and Tikka rifles are presently under the wing of Beretta, USA. The trouble is the Chief Legal Counsel of said company has chosen not to cooperate with us despite, not due to, our reports on Beretta products in our past issues. Baraboo, WI Contact Beretta, USA in Accokeek, MD for an owner’s manual on the rifle which should explain the function of the safety. You may have to send the piece to Beretta USA for service.

If its still under warranty and hasn’t been tampered with

there may/should be no charge for the repair. We’re sorry, but will continue to try and bring said Chief Counsel to his senses, a far more complex task than we’ve been able to accomplish with totally state-side controlled manufacturers. Marlin Model 20 Do you know where you can buy parts for a Marlin No. 20? I am in need of the tube and pump and other miscellaneous parts. It is in rough condition but the customer wants to make a wall hanger out of it.

Verlin Weaver Mountain Man Gun Works The Model 20 was only made as a take-down rifle from 1907 to 1922. Jack First Gun Parts Volume II (jackfirstgun.com, shows some parts but no schematic. Contacting them with a list of your needs might be the best first step. After that, call Brownells for a complimentary copy of their Gun Parts Source List for out-of-production guns and be prepared to have your fingers rack up a few miles dialing up the sources in the list.

If the wooden pump grip is beyond using, or a replacement can’t be located, you’re going to have to fabricate one. By the time and effort has been expended to accomplish this, securing and installing parts and touching up the relic, you’ll be handing your customer a pretty stiff bill. Make sure said customer knows that before getting too deeply involved. A "wall hanger" you say? Assure that by not installing a firing pin or cutting back the one, if it exists, already in the gun.

High Standard Pistol I have a High Standard Model A .22 semi-auto pistol that jams because the firing pin does not retract. The cartridge case slides up on the face of the bolt, hits the firing pin, and jams. I would appreciate any information or thoughts on this problem. Richard W. Clift It appears the pin is becoming stuck. Try flushing out the bolt through the pin opening in its face.

If this fails then fouling is not the problem, or there is a burr in the bolt face catching the pin, the pin is broken, or the firing pin spring has lost its "oomph." It could also be something more serious. Rather than offer conjecture on these possibilities, we suggest you contact Bob Shea at Bob was the top gunsmith at High Standard when it was based in Hamden, Connecticut, whereat the company produced the best of its firearms.

If for any reason that phone number has changed, Bob’s address is North Haven, CT 06473. Remington 1100 I had a Remington 1100 20 gauge in the shop a few weeks ago. Problem was the extractor going under the barrel channel instead of over it. I fitted anew extractor and the gun worked fine. My customer took it to shoot Skeet and after a box of shells experienced the same problem, so he brought it back. That leaves the bolt and barrel channel as other possible problem areas.

I don’t want to send it out again thinking it’s fixed and it not be. I’d appreciate any pointers you could share. Eddie Bobo Burnsville, MS Before getting too deep and working up a major problem calling for a return to the factory for service, run some dummy rounds through to check extractor function. Then make certain the gun is set up for target rather than hunting loads. After that, try and observe the customer’s shooting habits on the range.

Is he getting his trigger finger clear and allowing the trigger to fully return before pulling it again? With clay bird shooting, the trigger should be more slapped than pulled. It’s also possible the operator isn’t mounting the gun solidly against his shoulder. The result is this practice is very similar to limp wristing a pistol and it can cause extraction/ejection problems and misfires. AG