Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Savage Stevens 87D

Hello,

A friend at work accquired his father's 22 rifle as part of a recent estate sale. He would like to know something about it, clean it up and fire it.

Here's were you all can help: what can any of you tell us about an 87D 22 LR?

Web searching has not been too much help--I am going to check the reference volumes I have--any additional information would be appreciated as it just might get another person shooting. Thanks for anything you can share.

I picked up an 87A last week at an auction and it is a fine shooter! I don't really have any info for you, I can't even tell you the difference between the A and the D. I have a 1980 Blue Book of gun values and the Stevens 87 is not mentioned at all. I believe I read somewhere else that there were many of them made (over 100,000). Like most Savage/Stevens guns it seems they are not valued as highly by most people as Remingtons & Winchesters. I paid $110 for the Stevens and a few minutes later they sold a Winchester 67 single shot bolt action that was missing parts for $100. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I plan to refinish the stock on mine; it has several dents that I will attempt to steam out, the black paint on the forend tip is worn considerably as is most of the finish. The walnut stock has nice grain to it. Much of the blueing on the barrel is worn thin, but the reciever retains 85-90%. After cleaning the bore I fired 10 shot groups at 25 yards at the indoor range with 10 different types of ammo. The best results were from some inexpensive Russian made stuff labeled 'junior' that I picked up a a gun show a few years back - 10 shots in one jagged 3/4" hole. I need to buy some more of that stuff. It's filthy, but it is consistant! CCI Green Tag and Velocitor did nearly as well, 'cept for a couple of fliers that I'm sure were my fault. I really like the lines of the gun - the way everything is round - barrel, reciever, even the forearm is more round than beavertailed. Everything just seems to flow together. When I get that walnut stock refinished, my old Stevens 87A will put anything in the display cabinet at Wal-mart to shame!

I hope your freind has a good shooter and enjoys cleaning it up. There's nothing like owning one that has been in the family and being able to pass it on to the next generation.

My first rifle nearly 60 years ago was an 87A, I had a Weaver 330 put on it and except for the horrible trigger pull it was a pretty nice rifle. Wish I still had it, went to Pennsylvania.

Model 87 was made in 1938 with frist years production os 92,405 under the J.Stevens Name.

The 87 series ended in 1969, It was replaced by the model 60,88,90

I just bought a Stevens model 87D. Seems like a pretty well made gun, and I am suprised it will feed shorts, longs and long rifle ammo. Mine says ONLY LONG RIFLE AS AUTOMATIC. When shooting shorts, are you supposed to lock the bolt closed and then cycle it manually?

Also, I am missing the trigger guard. Anyone have a spare they want to sell?

Thanks,
Weagle

Weagle,
You are correct on locking the bolt closed and cycling it manually to fire shorts. When I bought mine at an auction an older gentleman in the crowd told me he had one and it was not very accurate with the shorts. Mine was not either; 4-5" groups at 25 yards with Remington shorts. You might watch Ebay for a trigger guard.

Savage 24, Thanks. These old 87's are pretty neat. Mine seems to have very tight tolerences and the bore is mirror bright. I've been shooting phone books in the garage with the aguila collibri ammo. It even feed those little suckers slick as butter. Lots of fun.

Good shooting,
Weagle