Stevens Model 70 ''Visible Loader''

Brad34340

Brad34340

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I've recently acquired a Stevens Model 70 ''Visible Loader''.
It's missing the magazine tube if you could call it that. I've bounced around the internet researching this rifle, it's certainly unique. I'd be interested in anyone's experience with this old firearm. I expect I can still plink "single shot", and I'll stick to tame ammo and/ or shorts, but if anyone knows of a source for the mag tube I'd be thankful for any direction.

Mostly for me this seems like an interesting mechanism, a cool piece of history and a rifle I'd not seen before. That said my experience has been that CGN often reveals a wealth of knowledge on a number of subjects, and I'd welcome any knowledge or stories anyone was willing to share.

Thanks in advance and happy new year.

Ps Please assume I'll wear ear and eye protection.
 
I got a inner mag tube for mine from a fella on ebay. Gunparts corp has em but the follower is generic and doesnt work well as it is pointed.
 
I had a couple of them years ago and just went out to the garage because I thought I still had some parts.

Guess what, found an outer mag tube with the bolt still attached.

You looking for the outer mag tube or the inner?

Is the magazine mount still attached to the barrel?

Must have been left over from the one I sold to my boss, it needed new extractors and screws so I think I took this one apart for those pieces. Tried to buy it back a few times cause he whines about the extractor springs flying out, easy fix but won't sell it back to me.
 
Thanks for the replies. And apologies for my tardy follow up.

I have the outer mag tube ....... and turns out I have most of the inner. And yes if I understand your question the magazine mount (2 rings as far as I can tell) is still attached to the barrel.

At first glance I figured the inner tube was missing. The spring and follower were there. I was having difficulty imagining how anything was going to fit inside the outer. Turns out, the inner sleeve was inside and what I'm missing is the cap.

I'll try and order a new one from Gunparts corp and replace the follower with the one I have.

The entire outer tube moving as the action cycles, surprised me. There is some bluing loss on the outer tube any place it contacts the "rings" when the action cycles .... so I know it's been shot but not how much. I'm confident from where I sourced it that it hasn't been fired in decades.

It's also interesting that when it's all locked up ready to fire .... the back of the round in the chamber will be pretty close to your face. Sure the block / bolt or whatever looks pretty substantial ... but I'm not exactly sure how the mechanism works. I did load a spent cartridge in it and you can practically see the rim with a flashlight when it's all locked up.
Now I'm sure my google foo isn't exactly top shelf but I'll be damned if I can find anything even vaguely resembling a "user manual" or parts diagram / schematic.

In any event it's a neat, compact, unique rifle.

Three stamps on the barrel one says

22 short -long
or long rifle.

The second

J Stevens Arms Company Chicopee Falls Mass USA Stevens Visible Loader - Pat. April 30. 07

Finally

Trade Mark
STEVENS
Reg U.S. PAT. & FGN

The only other stamp I can see anywhere is on the lower tang which is L 704.

Any idea when they started outing serial numbers on rifles ? Or is that perhaps what L 704 is ?

Thanks again for the information. I appreciate the help.
 
Brad34340 said:
Thanks for the replies. And apologies for my tardy follow up.

I have the outer mag tube ....... and turns out I have most of the inner. And yes if I understand your question the magazine mount (2 rings as far as I can tell) is still attached to the barrel.

At first glance I figured the inner tube was missing. The spring and follower were there. I was having difficulty imagining how anything was going to fit inside the outer. Turns out, the inner sleeve was inside and what I'm missing is the cap.

I'll try and order a new one from Gunparts corp and replace the follower with the one I have.

The entire outer tube moving as the action cycles, surprised me. There is some bluing loss on the outer tube any place it contacts the "rings" when the action cycles .... so I know it's been shot but not how much. I'm confident from where I sourced it that it hasn't been fired in decades.

It's also interesting that when it's all locked up ready to fire .... the back of the round in the chamber will be pretty close to your face. Sure the block / bolt or whatever looks pretty substantial ... but I'm not exactly sure how the mechanism works. I did load a spent cartridge in it and you can practically see the rim with a flashlight when it's all locked up.
Now I'm sure my google foo isn't exactly top shelf but I'll be damned if I can find anything even vaguely resembling a "user manual" or parts diagram / schematic.

In any event it's a neat, compact, unique rifle.

Three stamps on the barrel one says

22 short -long
or long rifle.

The second

J Stevens Arms Company Chicopee Falls Mass USA Stevens Visible Loader - Pat. April 30. 07

Finally

Trade Mark
STEVENS
Reg U.S. PAT. & FGN

The only other stamp I can see anywhere is on the lower tang which is L 704.

Any idea when they started outing serial numbers on rifles ? Or is that perhaps what L 704 is ?

Thanks again for the information. I appreciate the help.
Click to expand...

It’s been decades since I had one of these, much before google existed, but if my memory serves me right the L 704 is the assembly number .
 
Dont shoot high velocity ammo. The visible loader was made before high speed came out. Standard velocity or sub sonic. I mainly shoot cci quiet in mine. Shoots great. Also if the end of the tube is missing you will probably need a new spring as well and the pin to hold the end in.
 
I had mine out today shooting. When closed and locked, you cannot see the cartridge rim. So I would be a little cautious firing yours. Defiantly nothing more than a cci quiet. But a check by a gunsmith should be in order. Your eyes and face are more important.
 
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