Savage 72

**plinkin** · 07-03-2013, 12:58 AM

Hey guys. There has been a Savage 72 sitting on the shelf of a local gun shop for over a month. They want $199 for it. I think it is a bit rich. I would think $150-$175. I keep fondling it and I really like it. I should buy it but this gun shop and I have stopped dealing with the exception of things in the bargain bin.

Doggone it I like this thing though. Now is this a "Crackshot"? It is a falling block, is has the "semi lever" for lack of a better term. My buddy has a Stevens favorite that he kills pests with all the time. I am thinking this would be a sweet shooter with some CCI Quiet22.

Also 2 more questions. How can I determine the production year? I will try to remember to get the serial number tomorrow.

Lastly, and please don't vomit

but is there a way to scope this thing? Has anyone seen a 3/8" dovetail base to take the place of the rear sight and mount a scope?

I wouldn't do this if it indeed was an older model. On top of the octagon barrel it says Savage 72. I just think it would be a fun gun and squirrel rifle.

**J.Baker** · 07-03-2013, 01:36 AM

Blue Book fo Gun Values states they were made from 1972-89, but my catalog collection shows it disappearing after the 1987 model year. Up until 1985 the catalogs specifically stated case colored frame, but after that there's no mention in the verbage about the frame finish and I can't tell from the photo's in the 85-87 catalogs if they're still case colored or if they went to a black finish like they did on the SxS shotguns and Model 24's. It's not terribly old or what I would consider a prized collectable as of yet, but it's still collectable as they weren't a high volume seller like the bolt-actions and semi-auto's were.

As for price, $199 isn't far off the mark - especially if you factor in that the Stevens Favorite has been discontinued for a couple years now. If you like it and want it I wouldn't sweat the $25 difference in your opinion on what the price should be.

**chrisheile** · 07-04-2013, 01:18 PM

I bought it if you are referring to the Keystone Armory.

**plinkin** · 07-04-2013, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by chrisheile

I bought it if you are referring to the Keystone Armory.

Well please let us know how you like it. I would have bought it had it been at Edinboro Outdoors.

**plinkin** · 07-04-2013, 01:47 PM

Out of curiosity did you buy it and then find this thread or did you see the thread and then find the gun?

**chrisheile** · 07-04-2013, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by plinkin

Out of curiosity did you buy it and then find this thread or did you see the thread and then find the gun?

I found the thread afterward. It's actually on layaway. I was planning to buy a 22 but now pay $200 for one. Should be able to pick it up pretty soon though.

I try to buy from Edinboro Outdoors too. I have not had trouble with Keystone but like chatting with Ken, Jim and Andy at Edinboro Outdoors. Sounds like you have had trouble at Keystone. Send me a PM and tell me about it (unless you just want to post it here).

Chris

**chrisheile** · 07-04-2013, 09:34 PM

I was just looking for a simple, used, single-shot bolt with iron sights for grandchildren to use in a few years. This thing is just so cool and has so much character that I couldn't pass it up.

**plinkin** · 07-04-2013, 10:36 PM

How does it shoot? I really was falling in love with it. I actually was going to go in early yesterday and get it but I was holding out hope to figure out how to scope it. If you could, maybe post part of the serial number for someone to determine its year. Thx

**chrisheile** · 07-05-2013, 08:03 AM

I will let you know how it shoots when I pick it up as I was planning on a $150 gun as opposed to a $200 one.

**plinkin** · 07-05-2013, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by chrisheile

I will let you know how it shoots when I pick it up as I was planning on a $150 gun as opposed to a $200 one.

But you couldn't help yourself, could ya? Its OK you saved me from doing it.

**plinkin** · 08-17-2013, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by chrisheile

I was just looking for a simple, used, single-shot bolt with iron sights for grandchildren to use in a few years. This thing is just so cool and has so much character that I couldn't pass it up.

How does this thing shoot?

**chrisheile** · 08-17-2013, 09:26 AM

I am picking it up today. I'll know by tonight.

**plinkin** · 08-17-2013, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by chrisheile

I am picking it up today. I'll know by tonight.

I have uncanny timing. Post some pics for MrF if you can or know how to.

**chrisheile** · 08-17-2013, 09:05 PM

It shoots very nicely. Need to touch up the front blade with some site glow, finish cleaning tomorrow then finish with some Eezox. iwill get pics up in a few days

**plinkin** · 08-17-2013, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by chrisheile

It shoots very nicely. Need to touch up the front blade with some site glow, finish cleaning tomorrow then finish with some Eezox. iwill get pics up in a few days

Glad to hear/read it.

**chrisheile** · 08-18-2013, 09:26 PM

**plinkin** · 08-18-2013, 09:29 PM

That didn't work

**chrisheile** · 08-18-2013, 09:38 PM

**chrisheile** · 08-18-2013, 09:39 PM

**chrisheile** · 08-18-2013, 09:41 PM

**plinkin** · 08-18-2013, 09:43 PM

Yep that was the one I was looking at.

Ithacabuff · 12-16-2013, 10:47 PM

I am a lover of the modern line of Favorite type rifles...meaning the 71 commemorative, the 72, 74 and the 30 series. I see a lot of posts that allege guns on the internet sites are overpriced. However, if someone is paying that price than that is what it is worth. I say this because of the fact that, I have purchase several 72s in the last three years to give to great nephews and great nieces. I have never gotten one for less than around $260 and paid up to about $300. So, in my opinion...if you can get a nice one for $199 that is a bargain. I have come to know some facts about these modern Favorite line of rifles so will talk a bit if I may be long-winded. The Model 71 Stevens Favorite commemorative was so popular, according to Savage literature, that people begged the company to make a field grade model. So, in 1972 they came out with the Model 72 which has an octagon barrel, real walnut wood, and a case-hardened receiver. It was made until about 1989 when Savage went bankrupt. I have owned two 72s which must have been late, late in the run and made with economy of manufacture in mind. These copies had blued receivers, not case-hardened, and the lever was perhaps not steel but a non-ferrous metal that was brown colored by some process. They still were attractive and had walnut wood. I have a nephew whose two kids I gave 72s to. This interested the nephew in buying one himself from an old gentleman who had owned many of them and loved them. He said they are nice little rifles but may be somewhat prone to broken firing pins. (However, I have seen that Numrich has plenty of replacements in stock for under $20 each.) Now, be aware that the 72, while it looks like the original Favorite does not have interchangeable parts with the original Favorite. When Savage started making the 72 they also made the Model 74 which was an economy version of the 72...the 74 has a round barrel, a blued receiver, and non-walnut wood. Savage marketed the 72 as "a deluxe version of the 74." But the 74 apparently had little demand as it was dropped after two years. Then, as most of you know after the Savage Company went bankrupt in 1989 certain rights were purchased by another group that became the new Savage Company. That company eventually made the Savage Stevens Favorite Model 30 from around 1999 to around 2010 but that is another story.
Late note: I should add that the Savage company named the Model 72 the Crackshot and the Model 74 the Little Favorite....however, while those names are listed in the Savage catalogs and in Gun Digest of the time the names are not on the firearms...just the respective model numbers.