shooting some older rim fires

I have a Stevens Model 87 22 rim fire (no serial number) that my uncle bought used in 1959 for $10, still has the brass pin stock repair. My uncle used it with 22 birdshot quite alot. After be died in the mid 70's I got the rifle. It became a "loaner" to friends and was used for years.
Always worked, never a problem, easy to clean too. Recently while shooting this rifle, I noticed the fired cases were swollen and decided to see if there was still some accuracy.

I sent up a target card at around 18 or 20 feet and fired five rounds semi auto - better thanAttachment 109960Attachment 109959 expected.

Also fired a 1930's era H&R Sportsman single action revolver with 22 shorts also at the same distance, not bad

I just sent a Savage 6A away to another guy recently that I bought on a whim...to try it out and learn it. Mine was a post WW2 and nothing wrong with it. It functioned perfectly even with some old "Canuck" ammo that came to me in a flare ammo box, it was about my age too. Most of it functioned and smoked lots from the "Lubaloy" and many blew the rim or split the cases, still the rifle functioned and shot as well as I did, it hit everything aimed at. Long cut rifled barrels and lots of pipe to burn the powder make these buttonhole rifles. Savage 6A is of course another designation for your Stevens 87 or the "Gill gun"... Interesting system of operation they have.

I decided to sell the rifle because if I broke it, I'd never get replacement parts here in Canada. Story is that they work fine, then fire a couple of doubles and then are full auto for life. I think most of those would have been stripped carelessly and poorly handled to do that but again, I have more guns than I need anyway...sometimes... So, it went to a young guy that was enamored.

I have a Stevens 22/410 O/U made in the 19thirties. Still works fine and very accurate. Selector switch is delicate, pity.

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Originally Posted by RCS

, I noticed the fired cases were swollen

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Sounds like the breech bolt spring is weakening, if you change it, that should fix the swollen cases issue.