Rebuilding a Stevens 325 (new pics)

[mattri]

Have a Stevens 325C that I'd like to rebuild/refinish.

The wood is solid but neds to be refinished.

The blueing on the action and barrel is shot, bare metal in spots, painted over in others.

The rifle functions and shoots well, not looking to modify or change anything, just clean it up.

Any tios or suggestions?

[Mad Dog]

325's aren't worth a whole lotta money, maybe $200-$250 so don't drop a whole lot of coin on it.

Clean it up and refinish the stock, a reblue would cost you more than the gun is worth.

Hunt it and oil her up afterwards and it'll give you lots of years of putting meat in the freezer.

[mattri]

You're right, the gun has no real value. That's why I'm using it as my first project, if I mess it up too bad I'n not really out anything.

Will probablyuse Naval Jelly or another stripper instead of a media blaster to strip the metal.

[mattri]

Have dissasembled the rifle and stripped the old blueing off.

Has anyone taken one of these bolts apart? It looks pretty simple from the diagrams I have.

Also, is there anything to watch out for while taking the trigger assembly apart?

Thanks, Matt

[Airedaleman]

I'd suggest you not try to disassemble the trigger. They're pinned together and complex. Unless there's a compelling reason to do so, I would not disassemble the bolt either. A good cleaning of both will work wonders. A dab of a graphited grease on the sear and cocking piece can often be an instant trigger job. Good luck!

[GaCop]

For refinishing the metal, consider Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II spray finish. It doesn't require baking but does take a full five days to reach full cure or 3 days if you circulate 90 degree warm air over the part while drying. It hold up well to bore cleaners except for the real aggressive ones like Montana Extreme 50 BMG or others with ammonia. It can be gotten in gloss , semi gloss or flat colors.

[mattri]

Just a quick update.

Stripped the rifle down, disassembled the trigger, bolt, everything. Wanted to remove the barrel from the action but my wrench doesn't fit so I just left it.

After cleaning everything up real well I used a vinegar bath to strip off the old bluing. If you've never tried this before it is amazing. Plain old vinegar works perfectly for removing bluing, just put the parts in a plasic tub, pour in the vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes and take them out. The bluing is completly removed, no pitting or caustic chemicals to clean up. Just rinse the parts off and put a little gun oil on them until you re-blue.

The stock is done, going to re-blue in the next week or two and put it back together.

One question- what would be a good replacement rear sight?

[Blue Avenger]

they made peep sights for them. you could watch ebay and gun broker

[mattri]

Good call, I've been watching for them.

Any aftermarket options?

[mattri]

Been a little while but finally have everything back together. Took evrything apart except removing the barrel from the action. Dropped off all the parts at the Scheels in Des Moines to be blued. The gunsmith there, Rick, reccomended a satin finish and I couldnt be happier with it. The stock is just linseed oil rubbed to a satin finish as well.

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/rritchie1027/IMG00092-20110520-2103.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/rritchie1027/IMG00095-20110520-2105.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/rritchie1027/IMG00098-20110520-2108.jpg

And best of all she still shoots:

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/rritchie1027/IMG00102-20110521-1011.jpg

[Airedaleman]

Really turned out nice! Good shooter to boot..

[mattri]

Thanks, we really couldn't be happier with it.

[sha-ul]

That came out really sharp! Enjoy!!!