The Savage Model 24 was an affordably-priced over-under combination gun, manufactured for decades. The company pulled the plug on the 24 some time ago, after Savage determined that they couldn’t build it out of steel and wood for less than $600 a copy. A near-constant clamor of die-hard fans has convinced Savage to bring the combination gun back in a new design: the Model 42.
The Savage rep went to great pains to emphasize that the display model I handled was an unpolished prototype. I’m fine with prototypes, as long as I know that’s what I’m handling. Savage must have read my post from earlier today about bringing their ‘A’ game, which bodes well for them. I digress . . .
With an MSRP of $459 (street prices will be lower) the first Model 42 Combinations are scheduled to hit the shelves late in Q1 of 2012. The debut models will be chambered in .22lr/.410, with .22 Magnum and 20-gauge offerings to follow.
The barrels were blued, but the dark finish on the breechblock may have been crafted with a black Sharpie. The long gun’s butt-ugly red plastic ejector (shown) is a 3-d printer prototype part, rushed out for SHOT. Savage will fashion the production version out of metal.
I’d love to see a return of the classic American combination gun; and we’ll try to wrangle a T&E sample as and when.
