Stevens Model 87

About the Stevens Model 87

The Stevens Model 87 is an American .22 rimfire semi-automatic rifle produced by the J. Stevens Arms Company, a division of Savage Arms, from 1938 to 1982. A simple blowback-operated rifle fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel, it chambers .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle cartridges (holding 15 rounds of .22 LR). It is widely known as the 'Gill Gun' for the row of vented ribs on the left side of the receiver that bleed off fouling gas, and as the 'Click Clack' for its action noise. A selector allows the bolt to be locked for single-shot fire or released for semi-automatic operation. Marketed under the Stevens, Springfield, and Savage (Model 6) names, it was the most popular rimfire rifle of its type until the arrival of the Marlin Model 60.

Nicknamed the 'Gill Gun' for the eight vented 'gill' slots on the receiver that vented powder fouling to keep the action running cleaner, and the 'Click Clack' for the distinctive sound of its blowback action.

Stevens Model 87 specifications

Sold under multiple brand names across its run: Stevens Model 87/87A/87B, Springfield Model 87, and Savage Model 6. The bolt handle can be pushed in to lock the breech, converting the rifle to manually cycled single-shot operation.