Beginning with the first hammerless lever action rifle in 1895, Savage Arms has continually produced everything from muskets to machine guns.  One of the most iconic historical Savage rifles is the model 99, while nowadays they known for their excellent accutrigger equipped bolt action rifles, as well as their A series semiautomatic rimfires.

Savage – TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Introduction/Overview
2. Products/Models
3. History
4. Locations/Facilities
5. Competition/Training
6. TFB News
7. TFB Reviews
8. Common Savage Questions
9. Where to buy

1. Savage- Introduction/overview

When most people think of defining characteristics of Savage, the lever action model 99 and the bolt action model 110 are what most comes to mind.  For their modern rifles, the accutrigger is one of the most defining (and oft-copied) features of a Savage.  Most of their current rifles come primarily in black synthetic stocks.

Savage (and their other brands Stevens and Fox) are currently manufactured in Westfield, MA, USA where they have been since 1959.  Though they previously manufactured LMGs, pistols, and for a time black powder models, they currently offer a very diverse line of rifles and shotguns in thirty six different calibers and five different gauges.

Savage Model Nomenclature:

• 2 Digit model prefix=Short action
• 3 Digit model prefix= long action
• B=Laminated wood stock
• BT=Laminated Thumbhole stock
• C=Detchable Box Mag
• EV=Evolution stock
• F= synthetic stock
• G= Hardwood stock
• H= Floorplate magazine
• K=AccuStock or factory muzzle brake
• AK=Adjustable Brake+Fluted Barrel
• L= Left hand action
• LE= Law Enforcement
• NS=No sights
• P= Police
• SB= Smoothbore
• SE=Safari Express
• SR=Threaded Suppressor Ready
• SS= Stainless
• S=Single shot
• T=Target aperture rear sight
• TR=Tactical Rimfire
• TRR=Tactical Rimfire Railed
• U=High gloss blue
• V=Varmint
• XP=Scope, base, rings, sling package gun
• Y=Ladies or Youth model

2. Products/Models

AccuTrigger:

Introduced in 2003, the AccuTrigger is one of the biggest selling points of many Savage models. Featuring a center blade, they are user adjustable from 1.5-6lbs without any disassembly, and have no creep.

AccuStock Bedding System/AccuFit Stock

The AccuStock features aluminum rails and a recoil lug that are molded into Savage’s polymer stocks.  The rails and lug encompass and cradle the action, greatly aiding in consistent accuracy.  The new AccFit stocks also easily changeable combs and buttpads to better fit the end user.

10/110 Series

The 10/110 Bolt Action has been manufactured since 1958.  10 stands for short action and 110 for long action.  Current models feature the Accustock rail bedding system, AccuTrigger, and AccuFit stocks.

BUY the Savage 10/110

Axis Series

Savage introduced the Axis Series as their budget center fire bolt action line in 2011.  The Axis series rifles to not have an AccuTrigger.

Affordability, performance and precision all come together in the AXIS. The rifle’s modern design includes sleek contours, recoil pad vents and a textured, easy-to-control grip. Its 22-inch, carbon-steel barrel is button rifled for superb accuracy. The AXIS features a black synthetic stock, smooth bolt operation and a 4-round detachable box magazine.

BUY the Savage Axis

Model 12

Model 12 Savages are typically in benchrest or heavy varminter configurations for long range accuracy.  The Model 12 Long Range Precision Varminter deserves special mention for its unique RH bolt with LH feeding and ejection.

BUY the Savage Model 12

MSR Series

Savage’s offerings of AR15 and AR10 type rifles.  Ranging from the relatively spartan MSR 15 Patrol to the decked out MSR-10 Precision

BUY the Savage MSR

Model 64

Savage introduced this line of blowback rimfire rifles in 1996.

Ten rounds were never so much fun. The Model 64 Series is up for any small game or plinking pursuit with a reliable straight-blowback action and a 10-round detachable box magazine. The wide variety of configurations offer different options for different shooters, with one common thread: Accuracy.

Mark II Series

Introduced in 1996, this is Savage’s line of precision bolt action rimfire rifles equipped with AccuTriggers.

BUY the Savage Mark II

A Series

Introduced in 2015, Savage’s A17 Rimfire semiautomatic rifle is largely regarded as the first reliable non-custom semiautomatic for the 17 HMR cartridge (though also chambered in 22mag).  The delayed-blowback action eliminated the problem that a lot of other 17 HMR semiautos were having with OOB discharges.  Per Savage:

Nobody said it could be done, but we did it. The Savage A17 is the first high-performance semi-automatic rimfire specifically designed for the 17 HMR cartridge. Its unique delayed-blowback action provides safe, reliable operation with any 17 HMR load. The hard chrome bolt, case-hardened receiver, 10-round rotary magazine and button-rifled barrel boost performance even further, while the user-adjustable AccuTrigger™ provides a crisp, light pull for the best possible accuracy.

BUY the Savage A Series

B Series

Introduced in 2017, the B series rimfire bolt action rifles are similar to the Mark II, but modified with top tang safeties and an Accufit stock.

Stealth Series

Savage Model 10’s and 110’s that are fitted into chassis systems.

BUY the Savage Stealth

Single shot rifles

Savage’s single shot rimfire rifles are the Mark 1 and the Rascal.  The Rascal represents an excellent first youth rifle for beginners.  It’s combination of an excellent rear peep sight, the AccuTrigger, a compact youth stock and an easy-loading feed ramp place it head and shoulders ahead of many competitors in the sector.

BUY the Savage Rascal

Combination Guns

The successor to the 1950’s-era Model 24 (and short-lived model 389), in 2013 Savage introduced the Model 42 takedown gun.  These break-action combination guns feature a .22lr or .22wmr barrel over a .410 barrel, and a compact or full size stock.

3. History

Origins

The story of Savage begins in 1877, when Arthur Savage first filed a patent on a repeating rifle with a tubular magazine in the buttstock.  In 1892, Arthur Savage participated in ordnance trials with mis model 1892 in .30-40.  That rifle lost out to the Krag-Jorgensen.  Arthur Savage founded Savage Repeating Arms  Company in 1894 and designed the 1895 chambered in .303 Savage, the first hammerless lever action centerfire rifle.

The 1895 featured a rotary magazine, and a very strong action.  These attributes allowed the Model 1895 and later 1899 to use high-pressure loads with Spitzer bullets.  Marlin Produced the 1895, and in 1899 Savage introduced the iconic Model 1899, which was essentially an 1895 with an improved cocking indicator and a square bolt face.  The Model 99 was continuously manufactured through the 1980’s, and special editions were made as recently as 1997.

Pistols

In the early 1900’s, Arthur Savage designed a semiautomatic pistol (Model 1907 US Army Test Trial .45ACP) to participate in army trials which lost out to John Browning’s 1911.  Though he lost in the trials, the pattern for the pistol was the basis for the Model 1907 and later Model 1915 Hammerless and 1917 with exposed hammer.

“Muskets”, LMGs and SMGs

Savage participated in arms production for the US and Canadian militaries in WWI and WWII.  In WWI, Model 1899-D “muskets” were issued to the Montreal Home Guard.  Interestingly enough, Savage also produced Lewis Guns for the US Military using an acquired plant in Pennsylvania.    During WWII, Savage produced Thompson Submachine guns, as well as Lee-Enfield rifles for the lend-lease program.

Shotguns

In the 1920’s, Savage acquired Stevens as well as Fox Shotgun companies.  Savage also has designed slide action, O/U, takedown, semiauto and bolt action shotguns over its long history.

Muzzleloaders

The Model 10ML-II was manufactured for a short time, and featured a sealed action engineered to withstand 129,000 PSI.  It was intended to be used with smokeless powder.  I’ll just leave this here.

Cartridges

There are several Savage designed cartridges:

• .303 Savage:  Rimmed, Centerfire, usually 170gr @ 2090fps
• .300 Savage: Rimless, Centerfire, usually 150gr @ 2600fps
• .250-3000 Savage: Rimless, Centerfire, usually 87gr @ 3000fps.  In 1915, this was quite a velocity accomplishment.
• .22 Savage Hi-Power:  Rimmed, Centerfire, usually 70gr @ 2790fps

4.  Locations/Facilities

Savage was established in Utica, NY in 1894.  Savage moved operations from Utica, NY to the acquired Stevens Plant in Chicopee Falls, MA in 1959.  Savage also has operations in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada, though most Canadian production is exported to the United States.  Savage is currently a division of Vista Outdoor.

5. Competition/Training

“Team Savage” is a collection of Savage-Sponsored Shooters competing in F-Class and IPSC.  Team members include Warren Dean, Patrick Kelly, Monte Milanuk, Mike Miller, Stan Pate and Larry Houck.

Savage also sponsors several “hunting personalities”, including the Eastman family, the Primos family, Mike Stroff, Brad Farris, and Jackie Bushman.

6.  TFB News

NEW Savage Arms MSR-15 Recon LRP Looks to Lob some Long-Range Accuracy

Pack-Able, Plinking: NEW Savage Arms Model 64 Takedown .22 Long Rifle

[SHOT 2019] New Savage Precision/Competition AR10 and High Country Hunting Rifle

Savage MSR 15 Competition now on the market

SAVAGE DOWN UNDER: The A22R Lever Action Repeater

7. TFB Reviews

TFB Review: Savage RASCAL Target XP

Savage’s Compact AR-10: The MSR10 Hunter Review (4K UHD)

Savage Mk.II FV-SR Review

8. Common Savage Questions

• Why buy a Savage over a Remington or Ruger?

The unique features most Savage Rifles bring to the table are their AccuTrigger adjustable trigger and AccuStock bedding system.  The easy to adjust and excellent feeling accutrigger was by far the biggest selling point for most Savage customers during my retail days, while the AccuStock is an excellent bedding system for polymer stocked, hard use rifles.  Despite issues with their muzzleloaders, Savage also for the most part has had better quality control than Remington in recent years.

• Where did they get their name and (old) logo?

Savage got their company name from the surname of their founder, Arthur Savage.  In the early 1900’s Arthur Savage received Chief Lame Bear of the Cheyenne.  The Chief wanted to purchase a quantity of Model 1899s for the tribe.  In exchange for a discount on that purchase, Chief Lame Bear licensed his image to Savage for use as a logo.  The logo was in use until Savage’s most recent rebranding, whereupon it was replaced by a stylized “S”.

9. Where to buy

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