Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Stevens Model 325, introduced in 1947, offered an unconventional take on the traditional .30-30 hunting rifle. Moving away from the typical lever-action design, Stevens created an affordable bolt-action rifle using post-war surplus parts and stamped components, selling for just $38 (about $460 today). The rifle went through several iterations (325-A, B, and C) over its short three-year production run, each incorporating minor improvements. The 325-A featured a revised bolt guide system, while the B variant modified the trigger design, and the C model added mounting points for a Lyman 40 peep sight. Notable features included a three-round detachable magazine, 20-inch barrel, and a unique barrel retention system using a machine gun-style barrel nut – a design Savage continues to use today. Though production ended in 1950 when replaced by the Savage 340, the Stevens 325 gained a following as an effective, affordable brush gun, and remains sought after by collectors appreciating its simple, practical design.
