takedown conversion - lever action

cody c

cody c

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
38   0   0
Location
calgary
So, I never said I was a gunsmith, I do have access to a lathe occasionally... Danger danger, 3 of them under the knife.

OVYN8213 by cody c, on Flickr

JJHSE5402 by cody c, on Flickr


IMG_1738 by cody c, on Flickr

IMG_1737 by cody c, on Flickr


IMG_1736 by cody c, on Flickr

IMG_1740 by cody c, on Flickr

IMG_1741 by cody c, on Flickr

More to come, working on magazine plugs and pins, they are built but need to assemble next...

Also, I picked up two "parts gun" lever actions (in the pic above), both older and missing lumber, one with a previously broken and re-welded tang. They are old. They are marked up, and a good opportunity for me to practice on a couple then move to the one post 94 I have that was grandpas. The other two will get the larger lever loops, a stud (not ring) as the saddle ring point, but will get a leather strap instead of a noisy ring, and they will get the sling loop on the rear barrel band as I have on the post 94 in the pics. Planning to sell one or two later after theyre finished and test fired.
 
Last edited:
Black gloss paint doesnt show well. These are the new magazine plugs, and the smaller buttons will get drilled in with a spring under them, they will sit in a notch in the barrel band so the button can be pushed in and the magazine slid forward.

IMG_1745 by cody c, on Flickr


Barrel bands from 304SS built years ago, I have a set for the other two I believe.

IMG_1746 by cody c, on Flickr


Another shot of the takedown plates, you can see the parts actions are pitted and patina'd

IMG_1749 by cody c, on Flickr
 
Good 4 u. I've been wanting to do this for several years now just haven't had the chance to get at it. My .444 xlr is calling me. The take down plate if made of steel 1/3 thinner could be blued and only add a bought a once of weight. If I get to my xlr I've have some stainless for it, not a mountain rifle so the extra ounces of weight in not going to matter. I really like the barrel bands, looks like a good winter project for me.
 
Hey MRP, I have a CAD file for the barrel bands, as well as one for the larger lever loops, and for some takedown plates and mag tube plugs.

The barrel bands and levers can be cut at basically any waterjet cutting place, I’ve use clear cut metals in Calgary with good (cost effective) results.


The takedown action plate and plugs I got pricing from alibaba. Com and I can either forward vendors or you can find someone, with either though your looking at at least 5 or 10 minimum order quantity (MOQ) to be cost efficient.

If you or anyone wants to order them feel free to PM me for the files I’m happy to pass them along. With all the upgrades it really changes the form and a bit of function of a boring and basic lever gun, especially if you make your own wood stock for them.
 
Last edited:
Well I got one together.
IMG_1757 by cody c, on Flickr

IMG_1759 by cody c, on Flickr

IMG_1758 by cody c, on Flickr


IMG_1762 by cody c, on Flickr

I seemed to make mistakes at this point, trimmed a pinch much wood off the back end of the forestock, added a white plastic spacer. Burr on the front barrel band scratched the mag tube, need to pull the mag plug and repaint, the finish on the wood is peeling, I should sand it and refinish, and clean up the transition between the aluminum takedown plate and the spacer/wood but Ill leave it for now.. Put it back in the safe, Ill start the others soon enough.

I do need a magazine tube with spring and follower, as well as sites for one of these. If anyone has these Id be willing to trade a stainless lever loop as in the pictures.


In terms of what was built, a magazine plug that is longer than original with a hole drilled to hold a button. It gets a small pin (button) with a spring behind it which you see is in a notch in the barrel band (which allows the mag tube to slide forward or keeps it in place).

The mag tube has a notch at the front where the front barrel band screw crosses between the barrel and mag tube, this notch has to be extended, or filed about an inch or so long so there is essentially a flat slot for to allow the mag tube to slide forward but not completely separate off of the barrel/stock.

The wood stock is fastened to the takedown plate with screws, drill a couple holes in the aluminum plate, flush mount screws that are actually recessed slightly.

The magazine tube follower will eject out when the mag tube slides forward, you have to gently roll the edge of the tube so the there is a slight lip so it will remain in the tube. I just went around it with pliers slightly until the follower wouldnt pop out.

You end up taking apart and reassembling things many times to get it right, your gonna get some burrs or scratches if your not careful
 
Last edited:
Very cool! Wish I had the tools and skills to do something like that. I really like the bands as well. I’ve got a Winchester Ranger 94 sitting around waiting for me to install a 16” trapper barrel, it would be extra awesome if it was a takedown.
 
Thanks @Leg and @kamlooky!

For the other two, I have a friend that works in a specialized machine shop that does down hole (oil well) instrumentation and tooling. They have some super fancy coatings, nickel boron or nickel teflon that I am going to try and get them to coat the components of the other two actions when Im done them.
 
A slight variation is to remove the lip from the front face of the receiver - then the added plate can be flat.
 
tiriaq said:
A slight variation is to remove the lip from the front face of the receiver - then the added plate can be flat.
Click to expand...

Right! I seen that done and was thinking about going that way. I suppose this is a bit more “reversible” and considered going that way, but it just seemed simpler to do a step on the plate while it was on the lathe, but I agree I saw pics of it done that way and it looked sharp, this just seemed easier.

Some more pics, with the camera zoomed in things look super dirty, gonna need to give it a proper cleaning and maybe some touch up bluing before I take it out.

IMG_1772 by cody c, on Flickr


IMG_1774 by cody c, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
Nice work, I’m not a lever action guy so this is the first time I’ve seen this done. Is there a way to tighten the joint as it wears like the little browning semi 22?
 
stickhunter said:
That's a great project, cody --- nice work!

In case others are interested, I posted some pictures of my Marlin 1894c that has had a similar takedown conversion done to it: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-a-Marlin-1894-357-Magnum-takedown-conversion
Click to expand...

Yea I seen that thread, yours looks super clean, great blueing!

That’s beyond my capabilities, I’m learning now that coatings on a steel barrel with aluminum plate are hard to find that will protect both without melting or dissolving the aluminum. That looks to be a piece of steel for the takedown plate.


Double hunter, don’t got an answer for you. Not sure, they probably do loosen up over time, but your lining up the sites on the barrel and not a scope on the action...


Edit: adding pics of the second one (so I'm not bumping my own thread too much):

IMG_1776 by cody c, on Flickr


IMG_1778 by cody c, on Flickr


IMG_1783 by cody c, on Flickr


I built the wood out of boxelder (manitoba maple) years ago, this rifle is old and worn, lots of character there between the patina and burl wood. It feels like a movie prop, finished the magazine release plug late yesterday. The last one I dont have a stock for, I might try another out of zebra wood.
 
Last edited:
Man, that wood is something else.

Pretty sure I remember the thread about the bands and lever. I was interested in getting some for myself at the time but I failed to follow up with you.

Did you ever finish this project. Don’t think I saw what you did with the mag tube but a lot of pictures seem to be missing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom