you can also go to the top of the classified section under "parts finder" and type in your serial# and get an schematic with all the parts, it will show you where and what parts may be missing. very good tool! you can order parts from Savage at very reasonable rates also, as long as they are not "gunsmith" only parts. shipping is very reasonable too i believe. placed an order today and probably have it by the end of next week.
sounds like you need or haven't installed the L clip. :D