-=> Quoting Ben Sansing to Peter Balkan <=-
 PB> Looking at the rifle carefully, I noted that it seems to be about 90%
 PB> overall.  The forend is a little loose (expected in a take-down model
 PB> with the lever right there).  The magazine is pretty worn and does show
 PB> noticeable pitting.  It's functional however, but it stands out as being
 PB> more worn than the rifle.  Either it's a replacement or it rattled
 PB> around in someone's trunk or tackle box for awhile.
 BS> Once a takedown rifle gets loose, it's generally not going to shoot
 BS> worth a  damn. I've read there are ways to tighten them up though. Col.
 BS> Charles  Askins used to recommend silver-soldering the "halves"
 BS> together so it  wouldn't be a takedown anymore. Drastic, but then he's
 BS> kinda partial to  *accurate* rifles.... 
The barrel seemed tight but the forend was loose.  Will a loose forend
ultimately translate into a loose barrel?
 PB> I sure wish that shop on Cave Creek Road were still open.  They had
 PB> drawers of magazines for every rifle imaginable.
 BS> This thing has a *detachable* magazine? Nah.... all the takedown
 BS> Savage 99s  were pre-WW2 I thought, which would mean they all had
 BS> rotary mags (non- detachable). Of course, I could be wrong. I thought I
 BS> was wrong once before,  but it turned out I was mistaken. :-)
That's what Dave said too (that all the take-downs were rotary).  I
really didn't look.  My friend, who owns the shop, wasn't there so I
knew I wouldn't buy it that day anyway.  His shop is located in
fashionable Scottsdale, a place where, I might say, represents
everything about modern America that you hate.  I hate it too and seldom
go there, especially during tourist season.  I was there on a case and
was literally being paid to go.  It might be awhile before I get back
there again, but I get the feeling that this Savage has been around for
awhile.
Scottsdale is the polar opposite of rural Arkansas.  Where someone in
Arkansas might like a Savage 99 as a good deer rifle with reliable iron
sights, a person from Scottsdale would never think of going hunting
without the latest in weaponry, including range-finder scopes etc.
Then, he's probably go out and start looking for a Range Rover or Hummer
to carry him to the hunting area in style.  :-(
 PB> I am sure that I can still grab that 99 for $250 including tax.  Any
 PB> thought?
 BS> What calibre is this worn-out clunker? $250 is about an average price
 BS> around  here for a *totally* worn-out Savage, such as you describe. 
 BS> A good one  will run $300 or more.... OTOH sometimes you luck out, like
 BS> this one I'm  awaiting the arrival of. A friend found it in Utah - very
 BS> clean, little- used, $150!
The one that I was looking at was in .300 Savage.  Again, it looks very
nice with almost perfect bluing that doesn't look redone.  The barrel
which looked dirty and pitted was cleaned and now it looks very, very
lightly pitted with nice sharp rifling.
Still, I hesitate.  A rifle like this *could* be something that a *real*
hunter (defined=I eat it) could grow to love.  Since I don't hunt and
shooting any centerfire rifle is getting more difficult and infrequent
for me, I cannot seem to justify the purchase.  I would be more inclined
to look for interesting .22lr rifles that I can actually shoot.  I was
really searching for something like your Walther but I guess I don't
have your eye or luck.
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