Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors When did 110 short actions begin?

The earliest Savage catalog I have in the 110 era is a 1973. It doesn't mention short or long action 110s, and they all appear to be long actions in the illustrations.

The only "short" ctg. they mention for the 110 is the .243 WCF. Did they make a short action just for that? If not, does anybody know when they started making short actions?

I also noticed that they say the 110E has a 20" barrel, but I can't remember seeing one. Typo? Anybody have one?

Oh you've got it bad.

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Wiki-
"The Model 110 was developed in order to provide the hunting market with a strong and powerful yet light and economical rifle. Its model number is derived from its initial retail price of $109.95. It was originally produced in .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester. In 1959 a short-action version was introduced, chambered in .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester and at that same time, the Model 110 was the first commercial bolt-action rifle to be offered with a left-handed bolt.[1]

The Model 110 was significantly altered in 1966 in order to improve the design and reduce production costs...."

Holy krap Roy, does this mean we have a threshold in the quality of construction with post-66 110s that is similar to what happened with Winchester's post-64 Model 70s?

No question that the fit and finishes were sharper in Pre-66 110's, the triggers were more adjustable, and had real walnut stocks. But all of the newer accu-trigger models, including their base-line Axis, benefit from excellent manufacturing processes and are excellent firearms, albeit with matte finishes and plastic stocks, which lack the look and feel of quality

Thanks, guys. I'll refine my search for an "early 110." Which begins when Xmas is over and its bills are paid....unless somebody is willing to do a 90-day layaway on a nice 'un. I'd prefer a geezer-friendly .243, but might find a nice .270 or '06 long action and have a switchable .257 bbl. made by those friendly MGM folks in Hurricane UT.

Something to think about during these long dark SoCal winter nights....

I just look for the ones with the raised rear sight boss when scouring internet sites. I come across the good cut checkered stocks at the rate of one a year so can dump the stamped checkered stocks if I want to, like I did on the 22-250. In fact, that rifle is headed to Idaho for a wolf hunt, or I might take the 99 RT 22-250. Or both. Or a restocked 99E in .243. Or a 250 R. Or ....What do you shoot a wolf with anyway? Seems like a .243 would be about right. Never could figure out what to do with a ,243 anyway.

Yes on the short window of time to get the old style 110's, pre-66. BTW, they made some really deluxe dolled up high grade 110's, but the stock style is Anschutz like,which is fine for a delicate little Anschutz, but on a full size 110 not so much. YMMV.

Did some looking in the catalogs:

1957 nothing. But, from serial numbers and inspection stamps we know that production of the 110 started very late 1957 with some where around 1000 produced. Don't know if both calibers were produced.

1958 listed only 110, .270 and .30-06. But, serials run from around 2000 to 16000 range and I have two (10xxx $13xxx) 110-MC's in .308's built on the short (corrected) action. Don't know what calibers in what model variations and actions were produced and when.

1959 listed 110, 110-MC & 110-MCL. The MC and MCL in long and short action for the four calibers.

In Roy's photo (below) I think the bottom rifle has the early 110-MC wood and is a long action.

I think that's typical for new guns being introduced at the beginning of a year. The manufacturer has to have some stock on hand to sell, not to mention get the lines up and running and debugged to produce them. So introduced in 1958, with the first rifles made in late 1957.

Think we see the same thing with the 99F's.

All early 110's were long actions, even the 308's and 243's. That changed in.... ah, crud, don't remember. 1966 possibly? Savage Shooters had a nice graphic up of the different action styles the 110 went through - very helpful for trying to find a stock to put on earlier 110's since the screw spacing changed.

Here's two 110L's from 1959. The left is a 243 and the right is a 270. I forget the exact spacing on the short action.

I have a 1959 vintage 110MCL 308 that is believe is a short action. I'm out in the wilds hunting late season cow elk and the rifle is at home so will have to check it later. David

I have heard the some of first 110s were offered in 250-3000 and 300 Savage but have never encountered one.

As far as I can tell, Savage only cataloged the .300 Savage 110 much later, as a special commemorative run. I don't see .250-300 at all yet (but I don't have all the catalogs yet). Of course that doesn't mean they didn't MAKE any.... And plenty of aftermarket barrel makers would be happy to make YOU one!