Savage model 24

[Slufoot]

I've been looking at some Savage model 24 combo guns chambered 22lr/20ga for small game hunting. I have seen some with the barrel selector button on the side of the receiver. I have also seen them with the barrel selctor made into the hammer.
If you have one or both of these styles please tell me how you like them and if you think one is a better design than the other.

Thanks!
Slufoot

[Pat/Rick]

My .30-30/12 has the selector on the hammer. I like the arrangment well. thumb has to be on the hammer before the shot anyway, may as well have it close to the selector.

[bilmac]

I believe the guns with the selector on the side haven't been made for a long time. I can't see why the selector on the hammer isn't just as good or better. I've had both. Seems to me the hammer selector would be easier to repair.

[Slufoot]

Thanks Pat/Rick and bilmac.
That is a very good point about the selector on the hammer.
bilmac you mentioned repair of the selector. Are these prone to break?

Thanks folks!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[woodchukhntr]

I have had a couple with the button selector on the side.  One broke and I had to order parts and fix it.  The side selector is not as easy to use as the hammer-mounted selector.  I currently have a Stevens .22/,410 that had the side selector removed and a hammer one added.  One problem with the side selectors is that the screw holding the selector button can loosen and fall off, and then the selector button falls off.

[bilmac]

Na,, I used both quite a bit and never had any trouble. The hammer selector being easier to fix was about the only difference I can see between the two.

[jon f]

I have a stevens 22/.410 . if you use the .410 barrel and the selector jumps up a tad. the next time you fire its possible to break the selector. Done it once, only happens with 3 inch shells.
I also have a savage 22mag/ 20g. Its been converted to hammer type selector. Heaps faster and trouble free.

[cwlongshot]

I prefer the older model with the side selector and tang barrel release.
 To my eye, the hammer mounted selector and front trigger mounted opening latch, "cheapen" this find old firearm.

[woodchukhntr]

I prefer the hammer-mounted selector and either the side-mounted or tang-mounted barrel release.  I had a 24 with the side-mounted selector that broke, while I never had a problem with any of the hammer-mounted selectors that I have had over the years.  I've found that the side-mounted selectors tend to get stickey and are hard to operate especially when wearing gloves.  I currently have a Stevens .22-.410 that has been converted to the hammer-mounted selector before I bought it.  I had one 24 with the barrel release in front of the trigger guard and the gun frequently opened when I carried it in the field.

[jon f]

Mine is the old model 24D  22m/ 20g with dull chrome finish, tang lever and converted to hammer selector. I will never sell this gun. The rifle barrel is the most accurate 22mag I've owned.

[jirwin6985]

The older models were the ones with the side selector.  Savage replaced them due to people knocking the buttons off.  All the newer ones had the selector on the hammer.  I have a 1963 22/20 gauge dlx model with the selector on the side and never given me any trouble.  Both selectors work identical in fashion.  The ones on the hammer just have no links between the button on the side and the selctor itself.  Either way you will have a great gun and parts for both selector systems are readily available.
Joe