A pleasant surprise with my Savage 1899.

[David LaPell]

I took my 1899 Savage out to the range yesterday, and found that it shoots very well, especially with my .30-30 handloads of 165 grain Nosler ballistic tips.

But the real surprise when I got home and cleaned it. I took the forearm off and found that it's actually a takedown gun with a forearm from a solid frame. I put some oil as best I can to try and loosen up the barrel because it doesn't want to come off (yes, action is open).

Of course, getting a forearm for the solid frame was one thing, trying to find a forearm for a takedown is going to be trickier.

https://i.imgur.com/2OwjEve.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/l4BkFOI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PtlMHGv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/btdTOfI.jpg?1

[Big Al1]

Very nice shooting!! If the barrel has been in for a while they can be stubborn to remove!! Try soaking it in Kroil. Clamp the receiver, not the stock, in a padded vice. Mine have a notch in the bottom of the barrel, I don't see that on yours, then I put a non marring punch in the notch and tap it with a hammer to loosen things up. But, if there's no need to take it off just leave it, the threads tend to wear out if through use.

[David LaPell]

Very nice shooting!! If the barrel has been in for a while they can be stubborn to remove!! Try soaking it in Kroil. Clamp the receiver, not the stock, in a padded vice. Mine have a notch in the bottom of the barrel, I don't see that on yours, then I put a non marring punch in the notch and tap it with a hammer to loosen things up. But, if there's no need to take it off just leave it, the threads tend to wear out if through use.

From what another collector has told me, this gun isn't actually a takedown version. Apparently Savage used up takedown barrels they had on hand. This gun only has the latch on the barrel that doesn't extend into the frame so it's still a solid frame gun, but made with a takedown barrel. A little disappointed because takedowns are worth more money, but not as much considering how well it shoots.

[Big Al1]

Well that explains things! Didn't know that. I guess they could use later take off barrels because they had a full thread. Earlier ones have an interrupted square thread. I have a .30-30 take down from about 1930. I've never taken the barrel off 'cause it has a scope mounted with a Stith mount. Also shoots great!