Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Funstore find - Savage 219

My local funstore (Scheels allsports, Fargo, ND) has a Savage 219 in 30-30 in the racks. I want to say the price was $299, but truthfully I wasn't paying that close of attention. I know these generate some interest from certain parties on the 'Fire, so I thought I'd pass the info along. It looked reasonably clean, considering what is was designed and used for. The open sights had been removed and a scope mounted (cheapo Simmons). The thing actually looked kind of cool, as is.

Kaiser Norton

I had one which I re-chambered to 30/40 Krag. It worked very well and was a nice little rifle to carry. GD

I picked up a 220 (same gun) in .410 a few weeks ago. I was quite surprised how nice it was, considering it was an econo-model. Mine's from Utica, which dates it somewhere between 1938 and 1946. It was nicely done over at some time. Keep an eye on the top lever screw. The lever also cocks the striker, so it's under a good bit of strain. Also, I've read that you need to watch for the firing pin sticking, which could cause a slam-fire. I got snap caps for mine so I can drop the firing pin for storage without worrying about breaking it. Mine's going to be the designated rabbit slayer after the snow flies.

Phil Sharpe said nice things about them in The Rifle in America.

They were very humble, low end guns, but usually had well made barrels, and the stocks were well proportioned. If someone did an update with a little easier scope mounting, a little nicer fit & finish, and a little better wood, they might have a real nice lightweight single shot.

There are Sav 219s and then there are Sav 219s.
I have a Sav 219D 30-30 in minty condition that I got 13 years ago for $130
The book "A Potpourri of Single Shot Actions" by Frank de Haas 1993 , chapter 19 is "The Savage 219 Single Shot Rifle"
I love de Haas' writings, and it seemed strange how much he seemed to dislike his Sav 219D.
I took mine apart, put in a new firing pin, and buy the time I got it back together, I hated that rifle.
And the bore was not made well.
He hints that earlier Sav 219s were much nicer.
I could see that it was built like the Handi Rifle I analyzed for strength. Twice as strong as the brass will ever be.
I worked up until no more powder would fit.
220 gr HNDY round nose moly W748 2.92" 26" barrel, 30-30, Sav 219L
Quickload prediction:
33 gr 51 kpsi 2176 fps
34 gr 56 kpsi 2232 fps
35 gr 62 kpsi 2287 fps
36 gr 68 kpsi 2340 fps
37 gr 75 kpsi 2394 fps
38 gr 83 kpsi 2446 fps brass and primer still look good
39 gr 92 kpsi 2498 fps primer very cratered, case full of powder, ball powder compresses a hair below 2.92"
39 gr 92 kpsi 2498 fps primer very cratered, case full of powder, ball powder compresses a hair below 2.92"


Here the stripped receiver sits on a copy of "Gun Digest book of Exploded Gun Drawings".
The trigger guard is made of sheet metal. Take one apart, and you will become aware.


Can you see the quality of design BEFORE the "L" model?
The earlier one's had the quality of a Stevens or Iver Johnson break action shotgun.
The L model has the quality of a cap gun.

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I did not like the rimfire type tip off mount, so I drilled and tapped and modified a Weaver #74 base [meant for a Sav 24, but has the same radius]




Since that work I got some old Sav 219 rifles in 2013 from 1940, 1945, and 1946 for $275 [with shotgun barrel too], $125, and $175 respectively.
Great design, great workmanship.... unlike the crappy 1965 219L made of stamped sheet metal that will not go back to gether even with slave pins.

The trigger guard on my 220 is likely a replacement shotgun-style as sold by Numrich. It attaches with 2 screws and reminds me of the one on my 311A. The pot metal originals don't time-travel very well, if the pics I've seen on GB are typical.

Thanks for the heads up on the L models. Got a feeling that these things are like potato chips and I'd hate to get a clunker.

If you're interested in the 219/220s, have a look at this site:

www.savagesingleshots.com

And, yes, the earlier the better with most of the cheaper Savage products, these included.

And finally, DON'T DRY FIRE THEM! Breaks the firing pin and replacing it is a real PIA. Get (or just make) a snap cap.

I have a couple, early Utica ones with the steel trigger guard, trigger, and safety: .25-20 w/.410 barrel fitted,and a 22 Hornet w/20 guage barrel and shotgun forend fitted that has a factory variable choke. These were all put together from parts and stray barrels that I "found" over the years. I've had several others, but these are the keepers.

Fun guns, and hard to find any more.

Just purchased this 30-30 online. I'm very happy that it comes with a Peep sight.

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Should make a great cast boolit rifle.

Flyer