Savage Model 67E 12 Gauge

[BrokenolMarine]

On Thanksgiving this past year, a friend came over and brought a shotgun he had bought used to try on the range. We identified it as a Savage Model 67E 12 gauge pump...

The gun was well used, and it showed. It had some issues, but seemed to function okay. The issues were not safety related, but more toward smooth function. The cartridge lock wasn't reliable. Shells pushed into the magazine would slide back against the lifter. The thumb safety on top of the receiver functioned, but was very easy to move ON/OFF. He had shot it with the seller when he bought it so he knew it still functioned, so we put some clay pigeons on the berm and shot those. He loved shooting the clay pigeons laying vertically on the slope of the berm.

After the shooting was completed for the day, I wrote down some info on the shotgun and looked up a Parts Diagram on Numrich. I ordered the three parts I needed to replaced the Cartridge Lock components. He was coming over this past week to install some additional cameras on my CCTV system, (He works for ADT Alarms,) so I told him to bring the shotgun. In our discussion of the gun he said he was thinking seriously of replacing it with a new one. He would make me a very good price if I wanted to add it to the safe. I told him I'd take it. I ordered the four pieces to replace the worn safety.

It will become the barn varmint gun for Miss T. Those parts should be in by the middle of the week. Anyone have an owners Manual for the Model 67, or a repair section in a book they can send me a copy of? I'm sure I can figure it out, but an actual repair manual or owners manual would be nice. I found a couple disassembly/reassembly videos, but they don't show the detailed breakdown of the cartridge lock or the safety.

Of course I'll perform a functional check prior to shooting the gun, and shoot it for a live fire check before putting it in the barn for Miss T.

[BrokenolMarine]

Watch this space, I'll post some pics of the process if anyone wants to see them. This is just a basic parts swap, but If I blow it, you can watch.

[Hatchdog]

Good luck with the project and yes, post about your efforts.

[BrokenolMarine]

Good luck with the project and yes, post about your efforts.

The "Safety" parts are due on Thursday, so nothing will happen until then. I want to wait and do the whole job at once time so I can disassemble, and reassemble slowly, and take my time, remembering what I do. My memory isn't what it used to be.

[Headhog]

Take lots of pictures of each disassembly step or maybe even do a video of the disassemble. I've done this because I don't trust my memory anymore.

Paul

[BrokenolMarine]

Take lots of pictures of each disassembly step or maybe even do a video of the disassemble. I've done this because I don't trust my memory anymore.

Paul

Back when I would do major repairs or PM on the cars, I would do the same. Take pics step by step of the disassembly. I used the "For Dummies" books/repair manuals. Great References.

[BrokenolMarine]

Good luck with the project and yes, post about your efforts.

The "Safety" parts are due on Thursday, so nothing will happen until then. I want to wait and do the whole job at once time so I can disassemble, and reassemble slowly, and take my time, remembering what I do. My memory isn't what it used to be.

The parts for the Safety, due in today, didn't arrive. They may be lost. The tracking still showed them due in,

Thursday: February 26, 2026 by 9pm

I'm hoping they just forgot to scan them since they left their last stop and I'll get them tomorrow. I did order a set of four snap ring pliers from Amazon and they were due in today, and they arrived. I have been removing and reinstalling snap rings all this time without them, and need them for the safety part of the restoration and figured it was time. The set of four was just $15. Decent quality as well. Just waiting for the parts for the safety... fingers crossed.

Delivered


Out for Delivery


Preparing for Delivery


Moving Through Network

In Transit to Next Facility

February 26, 2026, 4:41 am


In Transit to Next Facility

February 25, 2026, 6:30 pm

Departed USPS Regional Facility

JERSEY CITY NJ DISTRIBUTION CENTER

February 25, 2026, 8:57 am

In Transit to Next Facility

February 24, 2026

Arrived at USPS Facility

DALLAS, TX 75211

February 23, 2026, 10:08 am

In Transit to Next Facility

February 23, 2026, 4:39 am

In Transit to Next Facility

February 22, 2026, 6:33 pm

Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility

JERSEY CITY NJ DISTRIBUTION CENTER

February 21, 2026, 11:52 am

Accepted at USPS Origin Facility

KINGSTON, NY 12401

February 21, 2026, 10:37 am

Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending

KINGSTON, NY 12401

February 20, 2026, 3:57 pm

Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item

KINGSTON, NY 12401

February 20, 2026, 10:31 am

[BrokenolMarine]

The parts did come in today so I was able to get started on the Savage 12 gauge. I took my time and started by removing the stock from the shotgun. Simple, that. Just needed a Phillips and a LONG standard screwdriver.

01 stock removed.jpeg

Next up was removing the Trigger Assembly, that required punching one pin, and removing a single screw. Boom, done.

02 pulled trigger assembly.jpeg

That step exposed the Bolt Assembly, and I began to see where my problem might lie. The buildup on the bolt is pretty bad.

03 exposes bolt.jpg

Removal of the bolt was simple as well, draw back the fore end and pry the operating rod in slightly, and the bolt slides right out the back of the receiver. Oh yeah, I can see why the Cartridge Lock might not be functioning. The Cartridge Lock should move freely and the gunk built up around it has it bogged down. It's difficult to move at all, it was stuck in the down position, failing to lock the shells in the mag tube.

the shells to

04 cartridge lock.jpeg

[BrokenolMarine]

A closer look at that dirty bolt, you can see that the bolt itself would cause the action to be hard to cycle, as well as the buildup of old oil, carbon, and powder in the tracks for the actuating rod.

05 dirty bolt.jpg

I gave the parts of the bolt a good cleaning. That little T shape tab laying beside the bolt fits into the top of the bolt, and locks into a slot in the actuating rod. This locks the two together and allows the bolt to cycle. After cleaning the bolt looks a LOT better.

06 cleaned bolt.jpeg

I spent an hour with a toothbrush, Q-tips and a pair of forceps and swabs cleaning the interior of the receiver to insure the track for the actuating rod, the cartridge stop, and the bolt tracks were as clean as possible. Then, I tackled the replacement of the safety components. Most important was the spring that locks the button in place. This was a pain, as the assembly is held in place by a snap spring. I ordered snap ring pliers, great quality. Tips were too big for the holes. Frustrating, but I made it work.

07 safety assembly.jpeg

Once it was all done, I lubed where needed and put it all together. Cycled smoothly and the functional check for the safety was perfect. All that is left it an actual cycling check with ammunition and test firing on the range tomorrow. I "May" buff the finish with 4/0 steel wool and then cold blue it.

08 assembled 67e.jpg

The gun is going to be a barn gun, doesn't have to be pretty.

[BrokenolMarine]

For now, it's done. Unless you see an update, she passed the range test.

[CT_Shooter]

[Hatchdog]

Nice work. Man that bolt assembly was gunky. Looks great after you got it cleaned up. Glad you posted the before pics to really appreciate the amount of crap fouling up the works. Barn pests beware…

[BrokenolMarine]

Well, I'll give it another go. I was not successful. The cartridge lock bar was moving freely, but the tip is too worn to lock the shells in place. I have contacted Brownells, and USA gunsmithing via email to see if they have to tool I'll need to free the Nut/Bushing Combo inside the receiver to replace the bar with the new one I had ordered. I was unable to remove it with the tools I had on hand. Now, I'll have to see what I can do, short of driving to OKC and finding a gunsmith to free it up.

08 Cartridge bar parts.jpeg

The special tool must be some type of spanner wrench. My snap ring pliers won't fit in the area and the tips are too big anyway. Both websites say replies take two business days, and with this being Saturday, I figure mid week, next week. No rush, it's going to be a barn gun. I'll eventually get there if I have to attempt making the wrench in the shop.

I didn't pay that much for the gun, so it's a project piece. Hopefully, I'll get it going for Miss T. I enjoy the challenge. Neither of the issues were Safety issues, but I won't put it in the barn if it's not 100% functional. Cosmetics aren't an issue.

Watch this space.

[Hatchdog]

Watching…

[BrokenolMarine]

I had sent emails to Brownells, Savage, Midway, a (sortof) local Gun Shop, and after talking with the local gunsmith - an email to Murray State Colleges' (At Tishomingo) Gunsmithing Division. The emails stated that I had acquired the parts needed to replace the Cartridge Stop Bar, but I needed the tool to remove the combination Nut/Bushing. If they couldn't provide the tool, could they refer me to a source.

The only reply I got was from Savage stating that they no longer made or stocked parts for firearms "That Old." Tired of waiting, I decided my best bet was to "Make" the tool myself. I had been thinking about the manufacture of such a tool over the last several days, and thought either Bar Steel with small finish nails through appropriately spaced holes, or an old wrench with the ends cut off and use that. That's some hard steel and drilling it would suck.

Wait, I know... I looked in the extra tools bag at the barn and pulled out an old common screwdriver. Heated it with a torch and bent the end over. So far so good. Then, using the new nut as a guide I marked the necessary dimensions and got to work with the dremel tool and jewelers files. Boom. A little over an hour later I had the tool I needed. Wasn't pretty, but there she is:

10 made the tool.jpeg

What do you know, it worked perfectly. With the bushing turned to the proper angle, I was not only able to hold the nut steady, I was able to lever the screwdriver lightly against the opposite side of the receiver to insure it remained locked in the nut. Boom, done. I easily removed the offending parts. There was a good bit of goo built up under them as the q-tip attests.

11 pulled the parts.jpeg

While all the parts were out I detail cleaned the area before reassembly.

12 cleaned the area.jpeg

It was a simple matter to install the new parts, and reassemble the shotgun. I tested the movement of the Cartridge stop, and though the new unworn bar did reach into the shell path, it appears that the interior of the receiver has worn a bit and there is wiggle room on the back of the bar. I tested the shotgun with actual shells and again had a failure of the shells to stay in the mag tube. Pushing the stop into the path of the shells, it works. (sigh)

I may need to put a shim behind the new Stop Bar to eliminate the shake. Old gun, it's a learning curve. Interesting.

[Hatchdog]

Nice job on the homemade tool. Probably took less time to make it than all the online looking to find one. Sorry you’re still having trouble but I’m sure you will get it worked out. Sounds like a project right up your alley.

[BrokenolMarine]

Nice job on the homemade tool. Probably took less time to make it than all the online looking to find one. Sorry you’re still having trouble but I’m sure you will get it worked out. Sounds like a project right up your alley.

I'll keep at it. I won't put it in the barn for Miss T unless I can get it right.
It is worth what I paid for the project it has provided. If I can't get 'er done, I will decorate the office wall with it.

[BrokenolMarine]

I had not given up, just been busy.
I cut a rough shim from brass, then shaped and polished it on the sanders, with final hand polishing. No joy when I tested the cycling. It did keep the cartridge bar from flopping, but, cartridges wouldn't feed correctly.

Next up, I heated the end of the bar with a torch, and using needle nose, I bent it to move it further into the path of the cartridges to improve contact. It appears the wear inside the receiver prevents reliable /repeatable movement. I'm at a loss. (I didn't worry, I still had the original part.)

Wall Hanger it is.

I have enjoyed the attempt, and learned to make the special tool I needed. That may come in handy later.

[Hatchdog]

That’s too bad but a wall hanger is fine too. Keeps that old Savage alive just not kicking.

[BrokenolMarine]

A few pics from the last work before I was beaten like a rented mule.

The brass bushing I made, it fit pefectly in the spot, just didn't do the job I wanted it to do. Later, when boredom sets in for one reason or another, I "Could" try a thinner copper bushing to see if it might work. Maybe, someday... just to see if it worked and because I was bored and like working at stuff. (And hate losing?)

13 bushing.jpg

So after thinking on the issue and reading other's solutions on line, I tried the angle adjustment thing. Bending that steel wouldn't work without heating it. Needed the torch and the vise...

14 vise and torch.jpeg

Got it secured and the needle nose ready...
(The paper towel is behind it to get the camera to focus, Not trying to start a fire in the woodshop. I moved it before lighting off the torch and heating the bar tip to bend it. )

15 bar preparing to heat.jpeg

When it was heated, I had to make my adjustments quickly. That bad boy went from bright orange to cool in seconds.

16 adjusted the angle.jpeg

I tried to adjust the angle three times and never got it just right. Again, too much free play. Beat me this time.
I have had success in the past. I got that Match .45 going again.