I've just finished restoring what I believe is an early 1930's era military match rifle manufactured by Stevens. It is a magazine-fed bolt action with a heavy 24" bbl. Sights consist of a rear receiver-mounted aperature and a front blade dove tailed into the barrel. The barrel also sports target blocks for an old Unertel-style scope. The only markings on the gun are on the left side of the receiver and say "RANGER .22 LR"-there is no serial number. Before the restoration, shot the gun with a borrowed Unertel 20X target scope and was surprised to see 5 shots consistantly fall into neat 1/4" groups @ 50 yds. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

our club had several of these for years that we loaned out for new shooters or jrs. we got them from the DCM way back when

Check cross references at www.hoosiergunworks.com and also Numrich/Gunparts website. You could post same question at www.rimfirecentral.com One of the rimfire guys will know all about it for sure.

In the thirties, Stevens made the model 416-2, a bolt-action, clip-fed (5-rd) target 22 with a post front sight and a aperture rear sight. It was drilled for target scope blocks & had a heavy 26" barrel, an oiled Walnut stock with pistol grip and sling. They also offered the 416-1 which was fitted with a Lyman receiver sight and globe front sight. Could this be what you have?

Bud W

Regarding the name Ranger - it was a brand name, like JC Higgins, used by Sears; many of their guns were made by Savage/Stevens/Springfield. The problem is that the factory often made small changes in their models when branding for a retailer.

Bud W

After a little more research, I've found that I do indeed have a Stevens Model 416. I've checked out a few pictures here and there, and the only discrepency I can find is that mine's got a barrel band on the forend. The restoration turned out great. I had originally intended on selling it, but now...

some of the ones we got from the DCM had barrel bands, some didn't. We got them before my time, but i believe they were military trainers

I just returned from the range for a little field test, and...uhh...I think this one will be staying in the stable for a while. CCI Green Tag ran about 3/8" on average for 5 shots at 50 yds-one group was under 1/4" (with aperture sights) and about 1" for 5 shots at 100 yds (probably would be better with a telescope). I haven't seen a lot of new "Target" .22's that'll shoot close to that-I guess they really don't make'em like they used to.