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western field model 36

4K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  Fatstrat 
#1 ·
So I very recently bought a western field model 36 pump shotgun. I bought it knowing it needed work (at $75 I figured it would be a great, and fun first project gun). I will try to get pictures up in the next few days (although the receiver is already stripped to bare bones).
My first question has to be, is the model 36 the Stevens model 520 or 620? I have been trying to figure this out for two days and I cannot find any direct refrences to what it is. I have had trouble finding anything about the 36 in general, it all seems to reference The model 30. I'm pretty sure I am going to end up ordering at least a few parts, and I don't want to risk ordering The wrong one. I thus far have been a little surprised as it seems to be in better shape then I originally assumed. The main problems I can see are that it's spray painted camo(badly). However I figure some acetone should clear it off the metal easily and some mineral spirits and light sanding for the wood. I am planning on restaining anyway. On the metal parts, I would like to make it as original as possible, so do I just blue everything? Including the Part of the bolt that's seen? Or is there something else I should do? The next issue is the pump itself. It is extremely loose which allows it to turn in the hand. It also lets it disengage the bolt randomly. Will I need to order the whole pump assembly or is there something else to replace?
 
#2 ·
Welcome to TFF....
If yours is a 36 then the book says it is a Stevens 521..
If it is a 36B or a 36C it is a Mossberg 25A.
So if you can post some pictures it would help determine which one it is. sense the book list it as a bolt action I would guess something is wrong.
If you plan on cold blueing then keep in mind it will not last.
The bolt is polished (silver).
If the forearm is lose enough to disengage the bolt then you can try to replace the operating handle.
Please post some pictures so I can see which gun you have.
Mike
 
#3 ·
Sounds like a model 1400 that I bought a while ago. Once you remove the paint from the metal you can see what you have to work with, pitting ect... Keep in mind that there are a lot of finish options beyond blue, some like parkerizing will "hide" defects moreso than others and can make a old worn gun look like something much different. These days the sky is the limit for finish options, bead blast the metal and give the gun a satin finish in your choice of colors and so on.
 
#5 ·
Put it back together (mostly) to get a picture. I think I figured out my problem with the pump Disengaging problem. The slide handle bar is loose allowing it to not fully engage the slide. thus when the handle rotates the handle side down it disengages the slide completely. Is the handle supposed to be kept from turning by the wood riding on the barrel or something else?
 

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#6 ·
This is a strange one here.
It looks like it is a Stevens 520 (Identical).
This is going to be tuff with out having the gun in my hands.
The Magazine nut holds the mag bar up against the barrel so it will not move.
The magazine tube should not turn (when together) enough to disengage the bolt slide.
I would say that there is a combination of ware on the bar, nut, receiver, forearm that is causing the problem.
On these guns I have found that the operating handle is worn at the end and the tab that fits in the bolt is worn down so it will disengage easily.
That is ware I would start.
Then the mag. nut (Or both).
And make sure the operating collar is tight too.
Mike
 
#7 ·
After several hours of cleaning, and many MANY rags it's still dirty as hell (I even pulled out some grass..) But it's a lot better and back together. I put some epoxy on the mag nut, to make up for some wear, and it no longer disengages the bolt. I also epoxied the slide bar to the handle (it's loose and I couldn't get it tight) and for the first few times I racked it the handle felt mostly solid. I used stuff I knew wouldn't last because I didn't want it to be permanent, just trying to confirm my issues. I think I can order a new handle/slide bar and I'm good to go. Is their anything I need to watch out for ammo wise? I've seen a few articles of people saying no slugs, no steel shot, one guy even said no buckshot. Also just out of curiosity, has anyone ever seen one of these used in three gun competition? My wife gave me permission to start an ar build, and when it's done (a year from now) I would love to attempt one just for fun.
 
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