Gamble Stores Inc. Pioneer Model 27A .22 LR Semi-Automatic Rifle – 24" Barrel, 14+1 Capacity, Pre-1968 Production
This Pioneer-branded Model 27A is a private-label variant of the Savage/Stevens Model 6/87, built for Gamble Stores between 1938 and 1968. It combines a 24-inch carbon-steel barrel, 14-round tubular magazine, and the distinctive open-bolt “click-clack” delayed blow-back action. Eight ventilation gills on the receiver, a knurled charging knob, and the absence of a serial number (correct for its pre-1968 manufacture) make this rifle a recognizable and collectible rimfire.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – Shows extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair – Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: Moderate scratching, scuffing, finish loss, and blemishing are visible on external metal surfaces.
What's Included
- Gamble Stores Inc. Pioneer Model 27A .22 LR semi-automatic rifle
The open-bolt delayed “click-clack” system sets this rifle apart from standard blow-back rimfires, offering a unique cycling sound and feel familiar to vintage Savage/Stevens fans.
The 24-inch carbon-steel barrel feeds from a 14-round under-barrel tubular magazine, giving the shooter ample capacity for plinking or small-game duties without frequent reloads.
A hardwood stock with a 13.75-inch length of pull balances the blued steel action, while factory iron sights—dovetail bead front and elevation-adjustable rear leaf—deliver a classic sight picture.
Eight vent slots (“gills”) cut into the receiver aid cooling and add to the rifle’s recognizable profile. The knurled charging knob provides positive control when manually cycling the action.
Produced before the 1968 Gun Control Act, this rifle was not required to carry a serial number, adding historical context and confirming its period-correct configuration.