I picked up Savage Model 24 in .22LR/20 gage at a little gun show over in Stark, Florida . Paid about $200.00 for it.Took it home and cleaned it up and even refinshed the stock as it had been "refinished" by stripping and slathered with a thick polyurethane from a brush, I think. The stock wood is birch or something very hard, so it will not take a stain. I went to Michael's and found a walnut tone used to spray flowers/flower arrangements which is a quick drying Lacquer out of the can. I found that with the toner you can get a decent overall tone on the stock that looks like more expensive walnut. Over that, I applied 3 coats of satin Polyurethane spray. It came out great.
But was this a shooter? I took it to Kentucky this past October for Squirrel season. Disappointing at first, then finally sat down against a tree and sort of nodded off..woke up and grey squirrels and fox squirrels were cutting hickory nuts all around me...suffice to say I harvested a limit of 6 squirrels that day, including a big red Fox squirrel. The 20 gage really reaches out there. With number 71/2 shot I was killing squirrels out to about 30 -35 yards.
Never had to use the .22 upper barrel. But what a joy to use this shotgun combo. Light, easy to carry and versatile...Savage really had come up with a superb little shotgun/rifle and from the prices I've seen on Gunbroker..people are asking (and getting) up to $400.00 for these. The only thing I've seen comparable to these is the ROSSi or the H&R Handi rifle. Will post a photo when I get a chance. I know these were probably expensive guns to make, but I think Savage would still sell a butt load of these if they were still making them...
