I had one of the "least desirables" for many years: a detachable clip, tang safety, stamped checkering on plain walnut (NOT Birch), .243 which had a factory "Monte Carlo" buttstock. Can't remember if it had a gold plated trigger; think it was called a "CDL."
It was reliable and dead nuts accurate; the only .243 I have ever had that shot better with 100 gr. deer bullets than varmint 55s. It would shoot 1 1/8-1 1/2" 3-shot hundred yard groups with 100 grain Powerpoints all day long.
Probably a gun that Savage collectors would walk 'way around, but a great tool, sheet metal clip and all. Went into a house payment like so many of my "great tools"....
BTW, the one "improvement" that most '99ers hate that I love is the tang safety. For anybody that hunts birds as much or more than big game, it's perfect.
