I miss my 22mag/20ga!

[flatblack]

So this is kind of sad. I had (technically, still have) a savage model 24 double gun. It was really nifty. It's a combo gun with 22 mag and 20 ga shot stacked on top each other.

A while back it just up and broke on me. Some kind of little doo-dad inside there just quit working. You can't hardly find parts these days, and the local "gunsmith" couldnt do anything, since it didn't need either cleaned or boresighted, and apparently that's all he can do. That was a frustrating conversation, to say the least.

Anyway, that was a great gun for hunting up some critters. Give you plenty of options, lightweight, and real accurate. Sure, you only get one shot of each type, but in all likelyhood, that's all you get anyway. Critters don't just stand there waiting for you to reload!

What other kinds of double guns are available today? 22LR/410 is good, but I really like the 22mag/20ga combo.

[DM]

So this is kind of sad. I had (technically, still have) a savage model 24 double gun. It was really nifty. It's a combo gun with 22 mag and 20 ga shot stacked on top each other.

A while back it just up and broke on me. Some kind of little doo-dad inside there just quit working. You can't hardly find parts these days, and the local "gunsmith" couldnt do anything, since it didn't need either cleaned or boresighted, and apparently that's all he can do. That was a frustrating conversation, to say the least.

Anyway, that was a great gun for hunting up some critters. Give you plenty of options, lightweight, and real accurate. Sure, you only get one shot of each type, but in all likelyhood, that's all you get anyway. Critters don't just stand there waiting for you to reload!

What other kinds of double guns are available today? 22LR/410 is good, but I really like the 22mag/20ga combo.

Actually, they are called combination guns, or combo guns for short... Probably the most popluar "replacement" choise today, would be a Bakial (russian made) that some call Remingtons. Like the Savage, it's hit or miss if both bbls will shoot to the sights at the same time.

I bet these guys can get your Savage going again... http://www.savage24.com/

DM

[flatblack]

Nice link, I'm gonna poke around over there a little bit.

I have seen one other combo gun lately, but it was a dreadful looking wreck of pipe and sheetmetal. The construction reminded me of pictures I've seen of british sten guns from WW2.

It was a 'scout' gun of some sort, I think it was made by springfield.

I'll have to examine those parts diagrams on that site, and see if I can't just buy the part I need and put 'er in there myself.

[DM]

Yup, combo guns are fairly hit or miss, and some what crude, until you start spending more money to get into a higher grade combo gun. The higher end guns, are REALLY nice, and work the way they all should work.

Over the years, quite a few different models were made, from those Scouts, Bakials on up to some, that only the rich can afford.

DM

[gunsmoke]

That pile of sheetmetal and pipe is likely a Springfield reproduction of a long time Air Force Survival gun, I won't tell you what they sell for you wouldn't believe me, originals can run several $K.

The Springfield repro http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/v-shrake/m6.html

Savage 24 parts start here http://www.e-gunparts.com/dept.asp

[flatblack]

That's the one, Gunsmoke! I guess I just dont care for it's looks. Not enough to seek one out and spend money on it anyway...

I really like the Savage because it's just a nice gun in my opinion. Good balance, lightweight, decent looks. I like wood stocks. Plastic is OK, but a nice wood stock with quality blued steel is the bees knees, in my opinion.

It's a nice gun to take with you on a casual stroll. Also, when you're out doin some critter blastin, it's nice to have a "sporting" type of gun.

Also, how cool is it to have two different types of ammo on tap? :D


Several years ago, I met an elderly gentleman who collected antique "drillings", a type of 3 barreled shotgun/rifle combo. Apparently the word "Drilling" is an Anglicized version of the word "Drieling", from the German root word "Drie", for "three". Anyway, this old guy had probably a half dozen of these things, dating from the late 1800's. Fantastic peices of work. Every one of them made by hand, by master gunsmiths in the olden days.

Most of them were double barrel shotguns with a rifle barrel in the middle, but not always. One of them was a bizarre Over/Under/Under configuration. The detail and workmanship on them was incredible. Several of them were just completely encrusted with engravings and detal of the most amazing sort. Most were chambered in obscure European blackpowder calibers from way back when.

Anyway, these were really nice guns. Each of them probably worth more than I make in a year, but that was this guys hobby. He collected these darn things. I thought they were pretty neat. My little savage probably felt like a cheap prom date at a princess convention, compared to those old drillings, but the point of the story is that I can see the appeal of the combo gun.

And I miss that little critter..

[Pitdog]

If all else fails, let me know and I will supply you with an address where you can send the gun to an FFL, and I will repair it for you. I took one not long ago and re=restored it. The 'gunsmith' prior had tried bluing over a color cased receiver and got it to a nice...(not really) plum color. I RE color cased the receiver, and rust blue the barrels (to be safe) and it is now amazing. Customer/relative was teary eyed, it was hie Dad's gun.

The 24 can be a little irritating, but is really not a mystery gun at all, not much of a problem. If you can find out what is wrong, I might be able to talk you through it if it isn't horrific and you have some tools that workable.

[jim]

A friend has a 24, and that .22 bbl is a tack driver. It's a great little gun for about any kind of small game. Wish I owned it.

jim

[kawalekm]

Hi Flatblack
Did you try contacting Savage Arms directly? I bought one of their .17 HMR's and had to send it back for a factory repair. You can still legally mail guns back to the manufacturer for repair. I'm assuming that if anyone can fix it, the Savage people who made it might.
Michael

[flatblack]

That's not a bad idea. I haven't really explored that avenue since the gun is fairly old...Well, it's older than me anyway, which seems old enough. :D

I dont know what year it was made, but it doesn't have a factory serial number stamped on it. From what I understand, that started to become federally mandated with the Gun Control Act of 1968.

So pre 1968 anway...

I'll look into the Savage option, but I'd doubt if ANY manufacturer in this day and age will want anything at all to do with a product that left the factory over 40 years old. I'd be suprised if they even had any NOS parts for it. Probably Numrich has them all by now.

[gunsmoke]

I have a 24 in 22lr 410 3".

I've never shot it much but keep a good supply of .410 on-hand. I'm of the low-prfile school when it comes to shtf and that is as low-key as you caget.

The WINCHESTER 3' with 5 p3ellets of 000 patterns really well and makes it a viable defense piece, as well as a varmint coyote, fox killer. As a foragibg gun its crackerjack. #6 drpos the squirrels and cotton taiis. #9 makes a great snake killer.

[bigcstrom65]

I have a model 24 in 30-30/12ga and a M6 scout in 22lr/.410. Both of these have become truck/car guns. I bought my 24 for a deer gun but found that it was a little too heavy to carry for long hikes compared to my lever gun. The M6 was bought for its intended purpose, a survival gun. I just wish that I could have found a 22 hornet/ 45 colt-.410 for the extra umph but those seem to be extremely rare. Both of these are good conversation starters at the range, especially the M6 due to its appearance and the 24 because most people have never seen nor heard of a combo gun chambered in 30-30/ 12ga.

[gunsmoke]

You make me jealous! Ever since I was a kid I admired the 24 .30-30/12ga as one of the most practical combo guns.

When I was a teenager the local cattlemen were having a nightmare of feral dog packs this was before the coyotes came back to town. The cattlemen and the Sheriff gathered several teams to nightstalk the feral dogs and although just a teenager I was a well-known competative shooter and was invited to join them, which I did. One of the most sucesssful dog hunters used a 24 in .30-30/12ga. He used a Remington 150 gr HP in the rifle barrel and #1 buck in the ga. We rarely went out that he did not take 5 or 6 dogs a night.

[DiggerDirect]

My 24 is chambered .22 mag / 20ga. I carry it this time of year when trapping season & deer season are both going. Dialed the 20 ga barrell in for slugs at 50 yards and it shoots pretty true. The 22 mag is a bit much to dispatch the fox, coyotes & coons but certainly gets the job done, and I've taken several 'Beaver Swamp' bucks with it.

Mine came from my uncle (passed away now) I remember as a teenager he came around with the largest boar coon I had ever seen! He had just trapped it and the head was blowed clean off it. He had the selector on the trigger in the wrong position. I always remember that time whenever I take it, and haven't made that mistake! (yet anyhow)

Thanks for the link to that sight, I never imagined there would be a site dedicated to just them!

[ArmySGT.]

I have one in .22LR/.410. Handy little gun.

I am stumped why your "gunsmith" <<<< (lowercase g) can't fix it. As pointed out the parts are at numrichrich, and this should be a remove and replace job. Maybe he doesn't want to be liable for repairs, the insurance for gunsmithing can be pretty steep. That or he is an AGI ahem, graduate.

Pitdog,
if it is a repair he can mail it to you direct and you can ship it back. since it is not a sale (transfer) that remains a legal method.

Flatblack,
You don't have a location posted so here is a general listing to find an actual Gunsmith in your area.
http://www.gunsmiths.com/listings.php

[jeep4x4greg]

Flatback....

what do-dad is broken on the inside? If you love the gun it may be worth your time to find a gunsmith that doesnt mind poking around, finding the specific part, and then having it re-created by a good machinist.....you probably wouldnt be out too much compared tot he cost of a new gun at least.

[EdD270]

If your local "gunsmith" couldn't fix it, I suggest you find a REAL gunsmith. If the problem is really a broken "doohickey" then a competent smith should be able to repair it by installing a new part.
A sure fire alternative would be to contact Savage and see about sending it to them for repair. Check their website for details.
Also, if you're sending your long gun in for repair to the factory or a licensed gunsmith, it's not necessary to go through a FFL to send it away.