doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com help w/Stevens double

I found in local pawn shop a Stevens sxs with hammers, model 235 with 30" steel bbls. It is in very good condition, still having original finish and some case color left, lever to the right, screws unturned. She asks $299. My question: Is there any way to tell, if when the hammers once they are cocked and the trigger is pulled, if the firing pins will strike the primers on the shotshells? This would be my first hammer sxs and I was just wondering if there was a way to tell. Could you put a piece of paper between the bbls and the breech? Should the pins then penetrate the paper? Thanks for your help.

I've seen people do that; I've also heard other people say that if the action is tight you shouldn't be able to close a gun on a piece of paper. I'm guessing a Stevens wouldn't be that tight ;-). How about a new pair of snap caps and look for dents? Sounds like a neat gun at a decent price.

Thank you Fin. I guess the easiest thing to do is to buy snap caps and test that way rather than end up with a $299 wall hanger. I was however going to gat as close to $200 as possible b/c the gun has been on her shelf for a month. Thanks again.

use a piece of wooden dowel rod, smaller than the barrels. drop it down the barrel and cock and fire holding the muzzle up in the air. You should hear the dowel go up and drop back, or at the very least have a pin mark in it when you tip it out of the muzzle.

I’m not familiar with that gun, but if it’s a hammer gun, just open the action, pull the triggers and push the hammers all the way forward while looking inside the breech. Is there a reason that won’t work?

I had a 235 once. I was stupid and opened the action, cocked the hammer and put my finger over the pin on the face. Pulled the trigger and promtly punctured my finger...so....don't do that.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I'll carry dowel rods or something in the truck from now on so when I run across what I believe to be a deal, I can close on it. The Stevens 235 was gone when I got to the Pawn shop today. I have been out of town on buisness for 2 weeks and she sold it 6/16. It was a little high for me at 299 (I thought it was only worth 200 because to me it was a utility /hardware store gun) but someone wanted it more than me. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. Thanks for all your help.

Kevin was spot on.

Won't tell you if they are fractured for sure, but good 'nuff.

If they are fractured and hammer to unfunctional bits later on...you can make replacements yourself with a drill and some other simple odds and ends.

Best,
Mark

As a side note to Kevin's post, I didn't take it he meant to "Cock" the hammer first, as he said "push the hammers all the way forward while looking inside the breech". This would be if it has rebounding hammers it is necessary to pull back the triggers while pushing the hammers forward in order for the pins to protrude.

I carry snap caps and some Stickie notes. I tear off enough of a Stickie to cover the dents in the snap caps "primer" and fire the gun. The Stickie will have a hole if all is good.

I've heard about the dowel method before but I wonder if a short length of dowel has enough resistance to protect the pins?