My First Lefever

[bob weeman]

Recently acquired my first Lefever at auction. Intrigued me as it had very high dimensions and 24 inch barrels that were choked modified and full. They worked out that way too on paper. Do any of you Lefever owners glass bed to prevent stock cracks. I would like to be able to shoot regular low brass Remington, Estate, Herters 1 1/8 (inexpensive ammo)etc. without worrying too much about a stock crack....

[bob weeman]

The first picture shows a repaired crack at the head and is the only one I see. The other lines showing are little scratch/gouges...

[Daryl Corona]

Bob, trust me on this one. If this gun has decent dimension you will love shooting it.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Is that an H grade 12? Looks like it has cocking indicators. Why not go with 1 oz game loads, or better yet load up some 7/8 oz for targets and clay shooting. Looks like a great gun.

[Phil Yearout]

I was just in my local Cabela's and they have Herter's Low Recoil 12ga shells; 1oz 7-1/2's or 8's at 1060fps; they oughta be pretty kind to old wood. I remember my Orphan Annie loved those; bought 3 flats for trap league.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I like those low recoil Herters , Phil. Glad to hear they are still available!

[Frank Srebro]

Congrats on your first Lefever. Factory 24" barrels would be very rare, almost unheard of. You'll want to check the tubes at the muzzle to see if they're touching which they should be. If not touching the barrels were cut.

This looks like an earlier gun and in 12-gauge it will have 2-1/2" chambers or even slightly shorter. Steel or composite barrels? I strongly suggest getting the barrel walls checked before shooting, not only the forward 1/3 of the barrels as usually done but also the higher pressure run from the forcing cones out to 12" or so.

That little chip above the right lock plate looks like it may come loose/get lost during shooting; you might want to get that secured beforehand.

Syracuse Lefevers have way more stock recoil bearing surface than let's say LC Smith guns and especially around the lever spindle. I've shot the heck out of many Lefevers with nary a care about old dry wood, and never developed a stock crack. Most of the cracks you see around lock plates resulted from guys not taking due care when removing them for cleaning etc. My clays load for verified to be safe Lefevers is 1 ounce at 1160 speed, pushed by single-base "PB" powder.

[bob weeman]

Thanks for all the advice! I believe the barrels are probably replacements. They are steel and the barrels touch at the muzzles. They also do pattern as modified and full. Chambers are 2 3/4 also. It is a G grade. I have shot it some and really like the way it shoots. I did buy a case of 7/8 ounce loads and do like those. I also have a few cases of 1 ounce loads too. I have also shot some 1 1/8 loads which I like as they are usually the least expensive and easiest to find locally. I load for my 10's and do a little for 12's but find it about as cheap to buy 12's as make them. I have not seen any of the Herters low recoil at the Scarborough Cabelas but those sound ideal. I will have to look more closely or order them on line. Thanks again for all the adivice!

[Frank Cronin]

Hey Bob. As Frank S. said, 24" barrels are rarely seen. Do the serial numbers match? Interesting Lefever you've got.Can't wait to see it.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Frank beat me to it. Serial number on barrels should be just above the barrel flats near the forend lug. 24" would be uncommon, but there certainly Parkers out there with 24" barrels(and shorter) that letter.

[Frank Srebro]

Red lines on this pic show the recoil bearing surfaces on this Syracuse Lefever.

[Bill Murphy]

What would lead you to believe that the barrels are "replacements"? Do the serial numbers on the barrels and receiver not match?

[Joseph Sheerin]

Congrats, I've always wanted to find a nice Lefever, but of all the more common American made SxS's, they seem to be some of the hardest to find in good shooting condition, and still fall within my price range. :D

[bob weeman]

There are no numbers at all on the barrels that I can see. This, the short barrels with choke, raised flat rib and just a newer look make me think they are replacements. It looks like a bit of a Frankenstein gun although well done to my eye. It is a great shooter so far and came cheap! Thanks for all the great input as it is greatly appreciated!

[Stephen Hodges]

Bob, you will have to bring it to Green Mt the next time we shoot clays:)

[Frank Srebro]

There are no numbers at all on the barrels that I can see. This, the short barrels with choke, raised flat rib and just a newer look make me think they are replacements. It looks like a bit of a Frankenstein gun although well done to my eye. It is a great shooter so far and came cheap! Thanks for all the great input as it is greatly appreciated!

Bob, you said the barrels are choked Mod & Full. As a student of Lefevers I'm wondering how you measured them and if you can post the bore and choke diameters for both tubes? Also are the chokes full tapered or is there a parallel section out to the muzzles? All of this can help you determine if the barrels are original Lefever production. Thanks!

[Frank Cronin]

Bob, post additional pictures of the gun. Barrels, muzzle, and of the top rib

[bob weeman]

I do not have a way to measure wall thickness or chokes other than a micrometer. I based the chokes on how they patterned at 40 yards. I will post some more pictures later today. Sorry for the late reply...work got in the way yesterday...

[bob weeman]

some additional pictures85151

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