Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 23C?

What can you tell me about the model 23C?

It's a Savage bolt action rifle in .32-20 caliber with a detachable box magazine and a 25" barrel.

And there aren't many of them out there, in my experience, because when Savage got to the Model 23, the .25-20 and .22 Hornet and .22Lr versions were much more popular.

But is your gun a 23C or a .32-20 "Savage Sporter," the older version with a rather different action? These two models are constantly confused--people think they are all "23s".

The "Sporter" has a corrugated box magazine that sticks out a lot further than a 23's does and is removed by grasping the corrugated bottome, and it has a cocking piece like a Krag or Springfield 1903. The 23 has a nearly flush box magazine and a magazine release latch and no cocking piece; it has a speedlock action with the cocking piece replaced by a lightweight "button." As far as I know, the "Sporter" was never made in .22 Hornet, but was quite common in .32-20 and .25-20.

Thanks Mike,

Not mine, but I think it's the Sporter.
Is the Sporter integral receiver as well?
Hard to tell from the pics.
Are the magazines interchangable?
I know where 23 mags are but not sure on the Sporter.

You're welcome (although there are people on this forum who know a LOT more about this than I do). I believe that all of this series of Savages ("Sporter," 19, 23s, others?) have the barrel integral with the reciever. I don't think the magazines are interchangeable. If you know where there is a cache of GENUINE Savage 23 OR in "Sporter" magazines in centerfire calibers, buy 'em up--they are often harder to find than the rifles themselves, and worth something. I suspect you could sell or trade them on the Campfire.....

I dont encounter Savage Model 23s very often, but when
I do its usually a .25-20.

I have a very late 23B that was made either just before or just after WWII, and is nearly new but tapped for a sidemount by its first owner. One of my favorite rifles; even came with two extra mags. Found it in a gunshop in central VT about 25 years ago. It wears an old steel 2 3/4X Redfield scope now.