Just over a year ago, Vista Outdoor announced its intention to sell its gun manufacturing brand Savage Arms (including Stevens and Fox shotguns). Vista intended to retain ammunition manufacturing giant Federal and all associated brands (Federal Premium, CCI, American Eagle, etc).

Now that sale is complete. According to a Vista press release, the gunmaker has been sold to an investor group headed by Savage President and CEO, Al Kasper. Vista will retain other firearms-related brands such as Bushnell, Weaver, BLACKHAWK!, RCBS, Uncle Mike’s, Hoppe’s and Outer’s.

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts – July 8, 2019 – Vista Outdoor announced today the sale of Savage Arms, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hunting rifles and shotguns, in a management led buyout to a group of investors headed by Al Kasper, the president and CEO of Savage. The press release can be found here.

“We want to thank Vista Outdoor for the support over the last six years. They invested in us and provided guidance in the transformation of the Savage brand, further developed our product portfolio allowing entry to new markets,,” said Al Kasper, Savage President and Chief Executive Officer. “Savage is an extremely strong brand and in a great position to keep charging forward.  The momentum gained under Vista Outdoor will propel us for future success.  It is business as usual and Savage is excited to continue building on existing relationships within the firearms industry.”

Savage, Stevens and Fox shotguns have been delivering innovative products for more than 125 years. In 1894, Savage forever changed the world of firearms with a commitment to a higher standard in quality. Savage has built a reputation for continuously improving firearm design while becoming the standard for accuracy and value in the industry.

“We are excited to build on the Savage legacy and are blasting into our next chapter. Here at Savage we are excited to show you what we have coming, because we are just getting our barrels warm! You’ll see more customizable platforms based on our incredibly versatile Accufit stock system, and a continued focus on making your firearm best fit your shooting and hunting needs.” said Beth Shimanski, Director of Marketing. “As we are transitioning, you’ll see more detailed information coming, with updated contacts and information.”

About Savage

Headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts for more than 125 years, Savage is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hunting, competition and self-defense centerfire and rimfire rifles, and shotguns. Their firearms are best known for accuracy and value. The entrepreneurial spirit that originally defined the company is still evident in its ongoing focus on continuous innovations, craftsmanship, quality and service. Whether you use them for recreational or competitive shooting, self-defense or hunting, every inch of our products is designed to give you an edge. What began with Arthur Savage back in 1894, continues stronger than ever today.

 

 

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45 COMMENTS

    • If you don’t mind used, the gun store across town from me has probably a half dozen of them. I wonder how many are chambered in 300 Savage. Is that round still sold? Or can you convert to .308?

      • The one I have fired was original in .308 and made over 40 years ago. Various rifle calibers offered were from .25 up to .375 including several still made today. There was even a .410 shotgun and a detachable box magazine at one point.

        • I see the .308 versions pop up every so often. I’m looking for one, but when I see them, I am usually on vacation and doing some gun shop tourism. Their price has been climbing but can range from around $300 for a beater all the way up to $1000. At my nearest Cabela’s they have a takedown version. It’s in .300 Savage.

  2. Free from conglomeration, I hope they do well. I have been a Savage fan for a long time.

    • Mark N.,

      I am a new Savage fan. I purchased my first Savage rifle two years ago — a bolt action rifle chambered in .243 Winchester (and it even came with a usable scope!). I think I paid less than $200 after a Black Friday sale and a fantastic factory rebate. It is clearly the most accurate rifle I own, at least with common and inexpensive factory ammunition.

      And when I say accurate, I mean accurate. At 50 yards all of my bullet holes in paper were touching each other which suggests something like a 1/2 inch group at the largest with inexpensive factory ammunition. Since I paid less than $200, that is astounding in my opinion.

      • Mine is a 15 year old 22LR that is a tack driver with the right ammo (jacketed). (It hates lead rounds.) The things I don’t like are the 10 round steel mags (that scrape your wrist with sharp edges) and the stiff trigger (since replaced on the new models with an Accutrigger). I definitely need an upgrade at some point to rectify the trigger issue (cannot retrofit), and it would be really sweet if one day they made a rotary mag like the Ruger. It has been so long that I don’t remember what I paid, but I seem to recall that it was around $200 with a scope provided by the gun shop I bought it at, plus tax and fees.

        • Savage started making to magazine rimfire rifles a few years ago, B series bolt action and A series semi-auto in .17 HMR .22 LR and .22 magnum. The B series even has left handed models

  4. Please……..not to Freedom Group though……..Just don’t let “them” have Savage Arms.

    • Did you actually read the fucking article? It clearly says it’s an investment group led by the CEO of Savage, Al Kasper. Freedom Group doesn’t even exist anymore.

  5. I agree Enuf, my little 250-3000 M99 was a wonderful little rifle.
    Just looked up all the brands involved, whodathunk?
    One thing I don’t understand is as a firearms maker why they don’t have a pistol offering. Wouldn’t take much to tool up, even if they started with a 1911 clone. They did once produce their 1907 .32 and .380 pocket pistols, market share is out there, especially with the mousegun sized pistols.

  6. So is Vista turning liberal & avoiding future Gun Mfr lawsuits? They’ll just profit from the projectiles….

    • Exactly. They just want to make a profit and are avoiding the future gun lawsuits that are expected as the liberal, communist vultures try to peck the eyes out of the 2nd Amendment.

  7. Sounds like Savage is following in the footsteps of Harley Davidson, with a management team buyback of the company. Here’s hoping they enjoy similar success!

    • Let’s hope so. If Harley would modernize their engines like everyone else they would sell more motorcycles. Apparently Harley still used the damned push rods instead of going to double overhead cams. If they keep using technology from the 1900’s then they deserve to die a slow and ugly death.

      • the one thing I like about pushrod engines is it dot have chain to stretch out and slap in it

        • With how little motorcycles get rode as long as the oil is changed frequently and the engine doesn’t get overheated, chains can last a while. Even if they do need replacing, at least it’s a lot easier in a bike than a car.

          Otherwise, I agree, simple is better than complex.

      • yeah, gm’s small block, chrysler’s hemi and ford’s windsor are all totally gasping from lifteritis. they work fine in guzzi’s and bimmers as well, going a couple hundred thousand miles, as will a modern hardley.

      • Pushrods work just fine in applications involving relatively low redlines such as the typical V Twin cruiser. The Excelsior-Henderson Super X of the late 90s had DOHC heads but was no more powerful than a contemporary pushrod Harley. The long stroke of that engine limited the redline to a level well within the capabilities of a good pushrod design.At the same time the DOHC heads increased the bulk and complexity of the Super X engine.

    • Harley Davidson would ba about the WORST company to use for a model you could think of. Perhaps Tesla or one of the Obumer created green/solar scams would be worse.

      • Ha! True. Harley survives because of old reputation as a great, badass motorcycle, while its technology is not relevant. The solar companies that Obama promoted did not even have the good will that helps Harley survive because people still love its history. Then again, Trump just placed 30% tariffs on Chinese solar panels and the American solar panel company First Solar increased 10% or so because of lower Chinese competition.

        I saw an article on the Russian Ural motorcycles lately and it looks like they have more high tech components than a Harley! I would like to hear more about the Ural motorcycles if any one knows much about them.

        If Savage keeps up its current high quality products at a good price they will always have good sales, I hope.

  8. My first firearm was a Savage 20g single shot. It was gifted to me when I was 12 years old. My grandfather gave bought it for my father when he was 12 back in ’55 and it was old even back then. Not sure when it was manufactured. I had the stock redone and the metal all reblued. It is a natural aiming and extremely lightweight. Just a pleasure to hunt with.

    I’ve been on the fence about buying a new 110. I had my eyes on a Scout in either .308 or .223 but also considering other models. Not really sure what I want, but I am sorely lacking in the bolt-action category. Any recommendations?

      • I second that. Skip the Axis band. Nothing wrong with the receiver and barrel, but the stocks are pretty weak. by the time you buy a decent stock, you’ve paid for the 110.

        • Not only that, the Savage 110 models include a Vortex 3-9x scope (and rings) already boresighted and their user adjustable accutrigger.

          This is the absolute sweet spot in terms of function and price. If I were just starting out and looking to purchase a first bolt-action rifle, this would absolutely be it.

        • Thank you all for your candid input. 110 it is! Just have to decide which model now, and save up a few more pennies.

        • Ditto, have 110s in .300 wsm (don’t ask me why) and 30-06, both bought as combos with Nikon scopes, replaced the mounts on the .300 with Talleys and they work well. I really like the accu-trigger, but don’t have much use for the accu-stock or whatever. The Savages I have are all shooters and beyond reliable.

  9. Savage 99 is truly an icon in the firearms world. I have owned several. Can a 99 in 300 Savage be rechambered to 308. Chambered can be changed but the 308 has a specific LONGER ACTION. 300 Savage ammo is VERY available. It was effective way back when and still is

    • Don’t know but it’s a good question for a capable gunsmith. I can only suppose the bolt face and magazine dimensions would all be the more critical concerns as re-barreling with a .308 chamber sounds like normal enough business.

    • I’ve read that the 300 was a short action 30-06, i.e. a precurser to the .308, that was designed to outshoot the 30-30. I did a bit of quick checking, and the parent case of the .308 is the 300 Savage, the main difference between the rounds is the OAL of the .308 is .2″ longer. And the shoulder is different.

      • the .250 savage is the parent for .300 savage, .30- 06, .308, .270 and .243.
        i’ll take a 99 in .243.

  10. Private equity erodes quality while sucking value from the brand identity. Wait for executives to retire. Always happens the same way.

  11. “BREAKING: Vista Outdoor Sells Gun Maker Savage Arms to Investor Group”

    Beware of “investor groups”…we’ve seen this before, much to the chagrin and near demise of other firearms manufacturers…

  12. Savage arms began in Utica, NY and lived here for many years. 125 years in Westfield MA is a falsehood.

  16. I want the 1907 pistol back in production in .32 and .45 ACP.

    Yeah, I know the .45 was never more than a prototype, but it would be cool if Savage brought those guns back with a .45 option.

    • Me too. They seem to prosper through each transition, so maybe they can keep up the good position they are in now (high quality/reasonable price) if they retain the good talent they have now.

  19. My 10ll muzzy has killed alot of deer through the years. It’s a shame it got a bad rep and Savage discontinued it! I also have a 111 in .25-06 which is pretty good but not as accurate as my old Remington 700 BDL was.

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