I have a customer with a Western Field Model 50 (which I believe to be a generic Savage 29) .22 rifle. When the action is worked, all the cartridges feed into the receiver. There is no cartridge stop. The schematics I have show what looks like a ball that is called a cartridge stop, but I can’t see how it is supposed to work or what keeps it in place. Can anyone help me with this oldie?
Let’s make sure we are talking about the same gun. In my references the Western Field model 50 is a Glenfield model 60. The Glenfield 60 is the same as a Marlin model 99c or a model 5. Is the gun a pump action or an auto?
Reply:
Yes, there is some confusion on the model number. This rifle is a pump which the NRA Guide identifies as a 29A/29B, but it has a few minor differences. However, the rifle Bob Dunlap uses for AGI Gunsmithing Course CD on the Savage 29 (disc #18) is very different in that Bob’s rifle breaks the receiver into two halves. This receiver is not split that way. There is no model number shown on the rifle. The customer claims it is a Western Field M-50, but I think it may be a model 80. I did find a serial number inside the receiver on the bottom plate (above and ahead of the trigger guard). It is 121999K, and that is the only number stamped anywhere. I seem to be a collecting spot for all these oddball guns!! Help!
Answer:
OK the cartridge stop on a model 29 Savage is a lever, but I can’t remember if it works up and down or in and out (left to right). I believe the bolt itself is what activates it. I am sorry we have to go off of my memory. Bob is the one that has the great memory ONLY when it comes to how to disassemble and reassemble a gun he saw once 26 years ago. He really amazes me with those old guns. Maybe it is just that when he started soooooooo long ago they were more common than they are now and he has just worked on so many that he knows them well, that sounds better and that is what I am going to believe. Let me know what you find out on this gun. I will touch base with Bob and see what he has to say.
Reply:
OK Ken. By the way, Numrich shows a cartridge stop, pin, and guide spring for the Savage 29A & B. This is a lever arrangement like you remember. But, this rifle is different from this model in some respects. It more closely resembles the Savage model 29, which Numrich does not show. Jack First does show the model 29, and the cartridge cut-off shown there is a steel ball. Neither outfit shows how the parts go together. Anyway, please let me know what Bob says.
Answer:
The lever and ball arrangement both work the same way. There is a recess in the action bar that allows the cartridge stop to move into it when the gun is closed. When the action is opened the cartridge stop is pushed into the receiver and prevents the second shell from feeding out of the magazine, while allowing the first shell to slide by.
