These look like a fun classic old gun. Anybody familiar with them?

I had one and in a moment of weakness sold it to friend who just had to have it, he loves it. Great little rifle and was quite accurate for a Hornet. I currently have a "B" which is the 25-20. If I happen to come across a nice "C" 32-20 I'm gonna jump on it. One thing, the 23s are becoming collectable and prices are rising. Also, most of the ones I've come across have been pretty well used and/or beat.

I bought one back in the 80's, was pretty beat, repaired crack in the stock and oversized chamber that would fire factory ammo ok but leave the cases too long and thin to reload. Bought it for $75.00 and sold it at a 'traders day' for $95.00. Took the money and bought a marlin 22 mag 783. Then later missed the hornet and bought a #3 ruger --- which I am still shooting.

Nothing wrong with the savage in the accuracy department as it shot 1 1/2 to 2 inches at 100 yards with a vfery cheap tasco 4x scope and like I said -- it was worn out.

They are excellent little rifles for what they were built as....inexpensive rifles which do not have detachable barrels (even by a gunsmith...the barrel and action are one piece) or easily adjustable triggers, and have very plain, uncheckered stocks. They also have detachable clips which are easy to lose and hard to find replacements for.

I've had a couple of them and they both shot well enough to be felony murder on varmints of even small sage-rat size out to 125 yards.

I have been looking for 40 years for a 23-C and still have never seen one for sale at any price.


BTW, the series IIRC is 23-A .22 LR, 23-B .25-20, 23-C .32-20, and 23-D .22 Hornet. I have owned at least one of all of them except the 23-C.

Well Alberta, I finally may have something you don't, a Model 23 D Delux, and It is about 98%+. This one was built in 1941, and was given to me as a commission for a multiple gun deal I put together when I lived in California. It shoots very nice sub 1" groups with 35 V-Max's and 13 Grains of Lil Gun. I also have a 23B, and a 23C, along with a 23A and a Model 19. I guess I like them. They have been great fun, and becasue of the 23D, I now own a bunch, LOL!

Jerry

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jerry Eden:
Well Alberta, I finally may have something you don't, a Model 23 D Delux, and It is about 98%+. This one was built in 1941, and was given to me as a commission for a multiple gun deal I put together when I lived in California. It shoots very nice sub 1" groups with 35 V-Max's and 13 Grains of Lil Gun. I also have a 23B, and a 23C, along with a 23A and a Model 19. I guess I like them. They have been great fun, and becasue of the 23D, I now own a bunch, LOL! All wear scopes though!!

Well I found one at a price I could not pass on and it came with three boxes of factory ammo. The gun is in about NRA very good to excellent condition, has the correct Redfield peep sight with the integral scope block, and has not been tapped for scope blocks. It is also fitted into a decent custom stock but came with the original stock which is in good shape. The only down side was that it was missing the clip and the rear sight was replaced. However, I found a replacement clip. Now I am going to try and fabricate a scope block that uses the rear sight dovetail to hold it in place so I can mount a scope. I am thinking that a scope like a Unertl, Fecker, or the new Malolm would look about right on the rifle.

Loud

Here's a tip that may help you out as to mounting a scope. You can use the holes that are already in the top of the receiver. One is a #6, and the other a #10. There are various mounts, Weaver type, that you can modify to accept the #10 Screw, and use the #6 hole in the scope mount, to match the receiver. That way you put no new holes in your rifle. The only other thing you'll have to do, is to tap the #6 hole to 6X48, for what ever reason it is threaded different that 6-48, but that is not a problem, if you go slow and use lots of oil. I have done this on a 23-C 32-20, and a Model 23-A in 22 LR. Unfortunately My 23 B & D already had extra holes. Just a tip form a guy who really enjoys Model 23 Savages.

Jerry

Jerry, thanks for the tip and I though about that as well. The way I am thinking of doing it leaves the rifle totally unaltered if I am successful in making a front mount that clamps on using the existing sight dovetail. Since the replacement stock currently on the rifle has a high comb, I should be able to get the scope to clear the peep sight and leave it on the rifle. They seem like a neat little gun.

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Eden:
Well Alberta, I finally may have something you don't, a Model 23 D Delux, and It is about 98%+. This one was built in 1941, and was given to me as a commission for a multiple gun deal I put together when I lived in California. It shoots very nice sub 1" groups with 35 V-Max's and 13 Grains of Lil Gun. I also have a 23B, and a 23C, along with a 23A and a Model 19. I guess I like them. They have been great fun, and becasue of the 23D, I now own a bunch, LOL! All wear scopes though!!

Jerry - you've made me very jealous with your 23C.....good on you! I've owned a 23-B, several 23-Ds, a 23A or two, a 19-NRA complete with original target micrometer sights, three 19-Hs and several others, but sold them all as I upgraded over the years.

Would still like to get my mitts on a 23C, though. A good friend of mine now has the 23B as a gift...gave him that and a very nice all matching #s Luger because of all the nice things he's done unasked for me over the years....and just because he is my best friend and he likes the .25-20 as well as I like the .32-20s.

I kinda like them for sure...have bought the little Remington M-25 carbines in that caliber just about every time I see one for sale. Have a beauty right now; very, very nicely engraved and all. In the carbine style instead of the rifle version it isn't even near as big as a Remington 12 or 121.

Bought it over where you live, in Mesa. Was in a gun shop on, IIRC, Southern Avenue when I bought it in 1983 for the princely sum of $75. They threw in a set of dies and a box of ammo too.

Now the one other thing I really need to find is a good "knock-around shooter" quality Winchester Model 71...not a collector's quality item or a closet queen...maybe something bordering on "rough" condition, but with a good bore. Either the early version with the steel "rifle" buttplate or the later ones with a "shotgun" buttplate would do.

I've owned both in the past, but you know how it is when things are fairly common...you start thinking they'll always be around and then, suddenly, they all disappear somewhere.

Take care. Still hoping to share a cup of Joe with you one of these days.

Alberta Canuck: We will get together one of these days soon I hope! I know of a Model 71 Winchester DELUXE that is available, I'll check the price and let you know. If you have an interest in it, I'll hook you up with the guy who owns it.

Best Regards


Jerry

I held my nose around them and 99's, too, for years. Now I'd grab either in a heartbeat.

Interesting selection of cartridges in both.

Mags for them turn up on eBay with frequency, a Hornet last week, IIRC.

Sights and mounts, also. I'd be surprised if Williams didn't still offer a peep for the 340. In .30-30 would make a nice woodsie walker.

The 23D is famous for developing headspace in the 22 Hornet caliber...but Jack Belk tells me this can be prevented by rechambering them to the 22 Hornet IMP. The straight case helps stop the back thrust you get from that sloped case. For what it's worth.

I Improved the one I had after it got headspace and it never developed headspace again and I picked up a 100 or so FPS, so I guess Jack knew from whence he came.

Sounds like the mag fed them with no problem?

Just wondering.

Never have had a problem with my Model 23-D and headspace. Maybe it's because I watch my cases closely, and don't try to get every last reload out of them. Another thing could be the condition of this particular rifle. Now that isn't to say an occasional case won't seperate cause they do. But not a lot of trouble in my experience. All that BS said, I really like the Hornet Improved Models, k, etc. but not this rifle it's too nice to screw with.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Eden:
Alberta Canuck: We will get together one of these days soon I hope! I know of a Model 71 Winchester DELUXE that is available, I'll check the price and let you know. If you have an interest in it, I'll hook you up with the guy who owns it.

Best Regards


Jerry

Thanks, Jerry...looking forward to it...the coffee, that is.

Don't know if I can aford a '71 DeLuxe these days, but I guess stranger things have happened.

As usual every year, the government is forcing me to make a "distribution" from my IRA soon, so they can steal the tax portion of it. So, depending on price....

AC,

Sent you a PM.

Thanks Craigster....am following up to assess possibilities.

And Jerry -

Just re-read my last post to you and would like to make certain you understand that I wasn't blowing off the possibility of the M71 as per your generous offer. If I can afford it, I'll DEFINITELY br interested. Just wanted to assure you I am looking forward to the coffee with you as nuch as at getting a shot at yet anther rifle. Rifles can be found. Quality friends are much harder to come by.

Thanks AC, me too! How about I contact you in March, I have a couple hunts and other junk going on right now. Been a busy winter and speaking of friends, I had my longest know friend here this week for a couple days. We have been friends since 1957.

Jerry

Alberta: I checked out the 2 Model 71's, of which I was familiar with the owners. The standard grade was sold to another friend. The other a Delux Model is available, and I have been told that it is the nicest one you'll ever see, although I haven't seen it. He is asking $3500.00?? Best I could do right now.

Regards

Jerry