Stevens Single 16 Project...

[letusbuyyourcar]

So yesterday another damn good member met me here in Perry on his way from Acworth to Florida and GAVE me this old Stevens 16 gauge one barrel. He thought it was a 20 gauge but once I got a flashlight aimed at it good I saw that it's a 16. No big thing since I can still source 16 gauge shells. It worked out kinda good since today was my birthday.
Anyway it has a good bit of surface rust on the barrel and receiver. Nothing I can't deal with. But it also looks like the receiver was color case hardened like the old H&R singles used to be. So I'm thinking I'm just stripping the barrel and cold bluing it. Not sure what to do to the receiver yet. Think I might clean it up good as I can and just oil the hell out of it. The wood will be sanded down and oil rubbed.
Yes, I already got the tube down to 20" cause I just can't leave **** alone. And it already looks better that way. I have a bracket and sling loop from an SKS that I plan on mounting to the bottom of the stock. And I think I can get the guys at the machine shop next to weld some kinda loop or sling mount to the underside of barrel about halfway up. If all that goes well I would like to find some old rifle sights like from a Marlin 22 and stick them on top pretty much just for looks.

 

[OttoMan]

Seems that you've got yourself pretty busy... But it looks really good!!!

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

Seems that you've got yourself pretty busy... But it looks really good!!!

I have cut down stripped and resprayed plenty of one barrels and pumps in my time with varying results. VHT high temp paint works pretty good. So does Dupli Color. But in recent years I've kinda lost my touch (patience) for painting. So I think the cold blue plan will turn out better.
Right after I joined here I tried the VHT routine on a mismatched numbers SKS cut down. I will NEVER do that again! SO much **** to mask off. And pretty much any type of paint is too thick for semi auto actions.

 

[lostchild]

20" (or shorter) bbl singles are fun. I've had a couple. Makes folks eyes get big when they look down the business end.

 

[Retired Army]

I have an H&R Model 88 in 16 gauge. I’ve had it forever and it’s killed many squirrels and doves. I’ve always really loved the 16 over all others. Mine looked pretty much like yours as it had been exposed to smoke and water during a house fire. I took it to Hiland Arms and its looks fantastic. He refinished the wood and gave it some cerakote and it came out perfect! My all time favorite firearm that I own.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

20" (or shorter) bbl singles are fun. I've had a couple. Makes folks eyes get big when they look down the business end.

I've told this one before but oh well... Many years ago I met a semi toothed OLD dude who had done a good bit of time for bank robbery. He did his bank jobs with one of those bright orange Olin flare guns with a 12 gauge slug in it. I told him that the entire gun and shell would have taken his hand off had he actually fired it . Then HE said ..." Aww hell, never had to. Once you pull that piece they can SEE that slug staring back at 'em. That takes all the fight right out of 'em."

 

[rOmiLaYu]

That gun was in a house fire of some sort. Best of luck cleaning it up! I do love an older topper!

Why stop at 20"? 18.5" or go home. 😎

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

That gun was in a house fire of some sort. Best of luck cleaning it up! I do love an older topper!

Why stop at 20"? 18.5" or go home. 😎

Well somebody recently posted a meme of a logo that read "Weaver Custom Shotguns, Ruby Ridge Idaho". So yeah there's that.

 

[rOmiLaYu]

Well somebody recently posted a meme of a logo that read "Weaver Custom Shotguns, Ruby Ridge Idaho". So yeah there's that.

If you cut it to 18.5" would the overall length be too short? Because 18" is the minimum length.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

If you cut it to 18.5" would the overall length be too short? Because 18" is the minimum length.

I know but I didn't measure the OAL. I just figured 20" was short enough. Hell it was probably 6" or more that I cut off.