Unless you get into the large shank actions all short actions are the same (except for stainless). The nomenclature for Savage short actions is 10= police heavy barrel, 12= varmint heavy barrel, 16= stainless sporter. The short action sporter is the Model 11. As has been stated, the long actions give more options. BTW, the nomenclature is similar, as in 111= sporter, 110= Police, and 116= stainless.