Stevens 30 advice

[JReed]

Yes it is on topic it has a lever.
I know a few of you all have older Stevens Favorite rifles and I would love to get a hold of a 44. But the cash for one in good shooting condition always seems to elude me. So I got to looking at the new Mod 30's what are you all's opinion of them. Are they worth the money? Any input is welcome thanks.

[nemhed]

I was hoping some one would have something to say on this topic as I've also played with the idea of getting one of the "new" model 30s. They seem a little rough but I'm sure they could be cleaned up. They look like a lot of fun, but then anything with a barrel and a trigger looks fun to me!

So...BTT.

[gamekeeper]

I looked at the new model 30 but was disappointed, nowhere near as well made as the originals. I have read however that they shoot just fine.

[adirondakjack]

Yep, they sure look cheap, but I am told they shoot well. The originals if in good shape still shoot well.

[ogw]

They are junk, you can buy an original for almost the same amount of money! I have one in takedown, although it shoots ok, it is rough. When I was a kid I had a crakshot for shooting rabbits, it was a great little rifle!

[2ndovc]

Jeremy,

This is the one to get. I got mine when I was 5 or six years old.
After almost 40 years and tens of thousands of rounds it's still a tack driver.
Savage Stevens Model 71
ttp://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem. ... &oh=216543


Well I can't make this link work but go to auctionarms.com and doa search for a Stevens model 71 and you'll see it.



I see them every once in a while and usually under $300.
One of these days i'm going to pick up another.

jb

[JReed]

Jason
that is nice looking. I will have to keep my eye on the auctions to see what comes up

Oh i fixed your link. http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displ ... &oh=216543

[PX15]

FWIW:

My wife has always wanted a Steven's Favorite... When we were first married (and even poorer than we are today) we saw one (original) in a gun shop in Jacksonville, Fl. but couldn't afford to buy it for her..

Anyway, recently we drove over to Boaz, Al. to pick up a Marlin Model 39 Century Limited I had won on gunbroker, and while there she asked the dealer if had any of those "funny" 22's..

He didn't know what she was talking about but I did, and we got to talking Steven's Favorites and his opinion was pretty much that if you are a collector, buying an original was the way to go (the pricey way), but if you wanted one to pleasure plink with the Model 71 (Centennial) would be a better choice than the newer model 30.

His opinion was that the Model 71 was more "original" than the model 30, and had a reputation for being a little better gun than the newer model 30,but of course neither were identical repro's..

When we got back home I did a little more personal research, and it seems the general consensus was that he was pretty much right on with his opinions.

So, I kept an eye on gunbroker/gunsamerica/auction arms and before long a like new Model 71 (with original boxes, etc.) came up for sale on gunbroker.

The starting bid was $299.00 and I made one bid and won the sucker...

I didn't tell my bride (of 43 years) I had bought it, but had a buddy ffl dealer do the transfer for me.

When the SF came in he called me and JoAnn and I went down there and Victor said, "hey, look what I just got in"...

JoAnn's eyes got big and she said "how much do you have to get for it"? (She has her own "play" money)..

He laughed and said, "how about $25.00" (the fee he gets for a transfer)..

We were laughing so hard she knew she had been set-up, but when I told her to get her DL and CC permit out to fill out the paperwork for HER new Stevens Favorite she was a happy camper.

All to say, the little SF was in "like new" condition, we took it home and cleaned it, and took it out back and it is absolutely a sweet shooting little single shot 22 rifle.

Surprisingly accurate at 15 yards (hey, we're old), and a blast to shot....

She loves it, and it was money well spent.

So, I would suggest that anyone desiring a Stevens Favorite with the intentions of actually shooting, and enjoying it, would be well served with the Model 71.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

[gamekeeper]

That's a really nice lookin' rifle, congratulations...

[rjohns94]

Gunny,

I personally don't have the skill set to make the new ones look nice. They just aren't very appealing to me. I do hear they shoot very well. I have considered getting one in the past but stayed with the original version. They just shoot so well and really speak to my love of the ancient:

[JReed]

Wow I had totally forgotten about this topic

Thanks for the input gents. Those are some nice looking rifles. I may have to go back on the hunt for one.

[damienph]

As said earlier, the new model 30s don't look like much but both the 22LR and the 22Mag version are pretty fair shooters. They are way over priced though. You can get original 1894 (what I have) and 1915 Favorites for the same or less money as a new one BUT check the bores on the originals, 22LR ammo was corrosive back then and many of the bores are very rough because of it.

[jdad]

The 30 is not worth what you pay.

Wait and find an affordable 44 as I did.

[JReed]

Now you are just being mean

[awp101]

Now you are just being mean

+1! I didn't even know I wanted one until he posted that one...

[jdad]

Now you are just being mean

+1! I didn't even know I wanted one until he posted that one...

In a couple of weeks I will post something twice as "evil", but I'm waiting for a buttplate that's getting cyanide case colored.

[JReed]

Now you are just being mean

+1! I didn't even know I wanted one until he posted that one...

In a couple of weeks I will post something twice as "evil", but I'm waiting for a buttplate that's getting cyanide case colored.

So you are mean and a tease I see how you are now.