Author Topic: Savage 24 (Read 4578 times)

Slufoot · « **on:** January 11, 2011, 04:49:29 PM »

I've been looking at some Savage model 24 combo guns chambered 22lr/20ga for small game hunting. I have seen some with the opening lever on top of the tang and the barrel selector button on the left side of the receiver. I have also seen them with the opening release in front of the trigger guard and 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

torpedoman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:51:00 PM »

go with the tang release.

Slufoot · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2011, 04:59:16 PM »

Quote from: torpedoman on January 11, 2011, 04:51:00 PM

go with the tang release.

torpedoman, are these models made better than the ones with the release in front of the trigger guard?
I may be wrong on this because I have never owned a 24 in either configuration, that;s why I'm hoping to get info from you guys that have used them!

Thanks!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Slufoot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2011, 05:32:46 PM »

I just looked at all the 24's on gunbroker and did not see any with a release in front of the trigger guard. A good friend of mine that I work with said his dad had a model 24 that he bought new along time ago and that he thought it had the release in front of the guard.
He also said he hadn't used it since he was a boy. He told me to come by some time and check it out and he would also ask his dad if he would be interested in selling it to me.
So now i'm not so sure if they made one with a rease in front of the trigger guard?

I do know they made them with the selector switch in the hammer and on the side of the receiver. Which of these would be preferable?

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

trotterlg · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2011, 06:38:03 PM »

The selector on the hammer is more reliable, I have never seen one with the release in front of the trigger guard. I have a 30-30 over 20 gauge, the selector on the hammer can be a little difficult to use if you have it scoped. Larry

Slufoot · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2011, 03:07:48 AM »

Thanks for the info Larry.
Why do you feel like the hammer selector is more reliable than the frame mounted?
I had it in my head that the frame mounted should be more robust but like I said I know nothing about these 24's that's why I'm picking brains from you experienced folks!

Has your 30-30/20 been a good reliable gun?
Thanks again Larry.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

trotterlg · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2011, 08:01:20 AM »

Mine has been 100% good. They don't do anything really exceptional, but it is exactly the gun I need for Grouse and Bear hunting, I have better rifles and better shotguns, but the 24 is what I take hunting most of the time. The frame mounted selectors had some problems falling apart, think that is why they went to the hammer selector, it is dead simple and it would be very hard for it to fail. Larry

Rangr44 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2011, 09:28:34 AM »

I've never seen or owned a Savage or Stevens 24 with a barrel-opening release in the front of the triggerguard - IIRC, that's a feature of one of the Brazilian break-open designs (Rossi ?).

ALL early Savage & Stevens 24's had the side barrel selector at one time - then, in the 70's IIRC, Savage introduced the hammer-top barrel selector because they thought it a better/stronger design than the side selector.

In the late 70's, Savage stopped suppling the side selector parts as a repair item, sending the entire new-style hammer to side selector customers who ordered a replacement for a broken selector.

It seems that Savage got out of the business of supplying side selector slides - which had a very high percentage of breakage, right at the 90-degree turn the selector makes to pass through the receiver wall into the selector button.

I've used the both, and prefer the side selector as esthetically nicer, and easier to operate for me (YMMV) - especially these days, when aftermarked side selector slides/parts are readily-available (www.savage24.com )

These are a Stevens 22-410 Tenite, and a Savage 24-B .22lr/.410 - both too early to be a hammer selector (1939 & 51).

.

Slufoot · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2011, 12:46:37 PM »

Hey Larry and Rangr44, thanks for the info and the great pics!
I guess either type selector would be OK since parts are available for both and that each of you prefer both styles.

Thanks again!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Slufoot · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:24:43 PM »

By George they did make some with the barrel release in front of the trigger guard. I just found one on GunBroker, here is a link to it,
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=211375016

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

264fan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2011, 07:09:35 PM »

Had a 24 22 Mag over 20 Mag with the release in front of the trigger guard plastic! My older 22 over 410 was tang release, side selector, it was a much nicer made gun but I did lose a selector button once. In the years between my two they were made with a top lever and hammer mounted selector, that would be my prefference if I were to buy another.

bilmac · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2011, 01:28:40 AM »

I had a 24V in 20 ga / 3030. It was a very versitile gun. In addition to what trotter said, I had worked up a small game load that shot to the same sight setting of the full power load. My only criticisms might be that it isn't what you would find to be a joy to carry, a bit on the heavy side, and I don't think there is a good way to put a reciever sight on it. Having a scope on a shotgun is probably not ideal for wingshooting. If I had the gun back [this is one gun I do regret selling] I would figure some way to rig it up with a tiny unobtrusive ghost ring sight.

You aren't going to find a new gun with a side mounted selector switch, and used ones are getting pretty rare.

I like what I see of the new guns. Synthetic stocks may be a bit lighter but are for sure more durable. 12 ga on the bottom is more versitile, and may be a bit lighter than the 20. Interchangable choke tubes are a definate plus. I haven't looked but I think I even saw one that was chambered in 357. Now take that and run a 357 max reamer into it and you really are talking versitility.

Am I talking myself into a new gun?? --- Na I don't find myself in a situation where I have the opportunity to hunt birds and small and big game at the same time anymore. Besides I used to joke when I had my 24V that if the wife ever found out that I had one gun that would do everything, it would make new gun buying a lot harder.

flaflash · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2011, 09:35:09 AM »

hey bilmac--good thing your wife didn't know that you can put 3 additional barrels on that 30-30/20 -- 357/20 ,222/20, and the model 242 410 O/U barrels will all fit and fire--she'd a really been on your case

bilmac · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2011, 12:37:52 PM »

I did some snooping around the net and find I made some false assumptions. The guns with 12 ga on the bottom are heavier, Savage had to build a bigger frame for them. Also I read that you can get reciever sights for them. I would hope the WGRS sight rather than some of the overly expensive stuff. The 357 only come over a 20 ga, but a 20 will do a lot of good work, just not a versitile as the 12. But then 20 ga bullets are lighter and smaller.

You can swap barrels on the 24? Wow how does that work, send them to Savage for fitting?

Having a quick takedown system is another likable feature about the Savage 24

flaflash · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2011, 04:06:11 AM »

the owners of savage today won't help with the older guns like 24v's and the older rimfire over 20 0r 410 because savage has changed owners since those guns were made.I found you can swap most barrels yourself with a little ingenuity.keep in mind there are 2 basic types of rimfire barrels--the newer stlye is the "flat ejector" and the older ones are the "round ejector".I've found that the "flat " ones will almost always just drop in,but may need a little tweaking with a file.the "round" ones will only swap 410 to 410 or 20 to 20 and you cannot use a "flat"in a "round" or vice versa.The 24v 30-30/20 will take all the barrels I listed earlier,however there are 2 issues with them--1.the 222 barrel doesn't line up perfectly with the firing pin--the pin hits slightly off center from the 222 primer--but the barrel locks in just fine and it does shoot.2 on the 357 barrel (mine' the maximum) i bought the barrel bare so I had to come up with an ejector( I couldn't find a 357 ejector anywhere).I used a 222 ejector and I modified it to fit--a smith would have done a prettier job but mine works.
you can see the difference in 24v barrels if you look at the breech end--compare a 222 to a 30-30-- see how diiferently they are shaped where the rifle barrel meets the shot gun barrel
the 222/20 24v will not shoot the 30-30/20 barrel--the upper firing pin misses the 30-30 round completely
the newer 24F's (22hornet,223,and 30-30)will all just swap back and forth --no problems --just drop in and shoot

bilmac · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2011, 05:33:17 AM »

So where do you come up with the extra bbls?

flaflash · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2011, 06:56:15 AM »

most i bought at e-gunparts.com--right now all they have left is a 24 S 410/22 for the round extractor type-but i keep looking to see if they get more-- i did get a savage 330 12/12 recently--it fits my 2400 12/308 gun
but you see them for sale at the auction sites and there is a 222/20 barrel for sale at 24hourcampfire.com

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** January 16, 2011, 07:37:50 AM »

I love mine!!

CW

bilmac · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2011, 10:25:57 AM »

Aw CW you love every gun you lay your hands on.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2011, 11:05:10 AM »

Quote from: bilmac on January 16, 2011, 10:25:57 AM

Aw CW you love every gun you lay your hands on.

Is it THAT obvious...

This one is one I have wanted for many many years. I had at least a dozen different ones in my hands. Never found one that I liked enough... Most of these guns saw LOTS of use as "pot" guns. Keeping food on the tables thru a time when $$ where not a common commodity.
Personally, I don't like the tenite plastic stocks, I hate the button in front of the trigger models. Never saw nice wood and most all had poor if any remaining case colors... Not this one, the wood has been replaced but is nice, straight grained with little figure but nice color. The receiver is very clean and even though the colors have faded, they are not worn off. I paid allot for it, but once I found it, I knew I just had to "Annie up" if I wanted to own one. (I didn't knotice until now that that second pic was so out of focus...)

Here in CT this is one only model that's legal for state land. I have a friend with three or four of these. My favorite is a 357 mag/12 Ga. But his 22Mag/20Ga is also very nice.

CW

flaflash · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2011, 11:45:55 AM »

CW thats the truth savage 24's are such a fun gun to shoot and hunt with---are you sure about that friend's gun --i've never heard or seen a 12ga 357--i thought they only came in 20 ga

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2011, 12:07:32 PM »

Quote from: flaflash on January 16, 2011, 11:45:55 AM

CW thats the truth savage 24's are such a fun gun to shoot and hunt with---are you sure about that friend's gun --i've never heard or seen a 12ga 357--i thought they only came in 20 ga

No not 100%, It has been a couple years since we hunted to gather in Vermont. He loved to hunt with it there... It could have been 20 Ga, but I know it was a 357 mag.

CW

flaflash · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2011, 01:05:24 PM »

ok i think it was a 20ga---i have the 357max and it's a real hog killer down here in SW FLA---my pop in law had the 357mag/20 but it was the nickle version--he SOLD IT AND NOT TO ME!!!!!

Slufoot · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2011, 02:15:23 PM »

Hey CW that rabbit would make a fine supper, I really admire your pictures you always post, you should be a photographer if you aren't already.
I'm assuming from your pic with the gun broke open that it has the selector button on the right side of the receiver. Is this correct?
Also, do you have any trouble using the shotgun on running or flying game with the rifle sights?
Thanks!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2011, 02:39:18 PM »

Its a fine gun, Thank you.

Yes there is a firing pin selector "button" on the side of the receiver.

I have no problem on wing shots, I look at the target when shooting moving targets. The sites are TINY, but usable for a couple more years anyhow...

CW

MSP Ret · « **Reply #25 on:** September 05, 2011, 03:15:55 PM »

Hey guys, my daughter still has the .22LR over 20 gauge Model 24 I got for her about 30 years ago. It is kept in my gun locker but it's hers. For myself I stumbled upon and bought a .357 over 20 gauge a year or so ago that an older fellow in Maine had for years. It had accounted for a fair amount of deer and other game. He traded it in for a 30-30 over 12(?) gauge when one became available at the local sportings store in northern Maine. I check that honeyhole whenever I'm in the area and you never know what you might find there. Anyway, I have been thinking of reaming out the .357 Mag chamber to .357 Max so I can shoot .38's, .357 Mag's and Max's and .360 DW's as well. What are your thoughts on this?...Thanks and I welcome your comments and insight. I have done it on a couple of .357 Mag H&R's I have and they are jewels. I did not mind doing it to my H&R barrels but will I ruin the value of my Savage if I ream it to .357 Max?....<><....

flaflash · « **Reply #26 on:** September 06, 2011, 02:14:31 AM »

MSP I 've got the max but I've heard of guys reaming a magnum gun with no bad effects other than affecting re-sale value in some buyers eyes

MSP Ret · « **Reply #27 on:** September 06, 2011, 08:12:16 AM »

Thanks for that info buddy, the possible loss of value is one of the things that has bothered me. It will much more versatile if I ream it out to .357 Max, but since I have a couple single shot H&R's in .357 Max already I could probably get by without doing it but I would like to.

The other concern I had was when I did my H&R's there was no problem with any extra pressure since the chamber area is so thick and strong. On the Savage 24 the chamber wall thickness of the .357 Mag is thinner than the H&R. But it also seems since they make one in a .357 Max it might be GTG after reaming it out (to .357 Max).

Thanks again and thoughts on this from anyone?....<><....

P.S. - the .357/.20 Gauge I have is in excellent condition with great wood and crisp case coloring on the receiver, very little wear if this helps in your thoughts...