Little Savage Model 72

[sigp220.45]

I found this little guy in the Fudd Room at my indoor range, which mostly deals in black plastic stuff. Lately a lot of older stuff has shown up, thanks to Gramps kicking off and leaving said stuff to kids or grandkids who immediately trade it off for something they actually want, like a Shadow System something-or-other.

I don’t need it, but it was less than dinner for two at Applebees, so I got it. My tiny boss, currently 13 months old, will wind up with it as soon as my arteries decide it is time.

Made by Savage from 1972-1989. They put nice wood on it, and the color case hardening is first rate.

I’ll see if it shoots tomorrow. Anyone else have one?

 

[walnutred]

That was a deal! Glad you found it.

 

[KarmannGhia]

Now that I have four toddler age grandkids, I want one of those soooo bad. All I can find are the tiny bolt single shots (ie..Cricket and the like).

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. The same gun was made in much larger numbers as a Stevens brand, as you probably know.

 

[Golddollar]

Cool gun. The same gun was made in much larger numbers as a Stevens brand, as you probably know.

I've had a Stevens Favorite for about the last 65 years.

 

[bigmoose]

Very cool little gun...even cooler little grandchild. Congrats sir.

 

[2152hq]

Nice little rifle at a great price!.
Congrats on the GrandChild!


The trigger pull on these can be a bit much from the factory, but many suspected that they were purposely made that way. 5 to 6# pull was not out of the ordinary for these.
The rifles themselves are usually quite accurate.
They break firing pins once in a while.
I tell people not to dry fire any gun, but..
Numrich used to have most of the parts for these or the FP can be made easily if you have a lathe sitting around.

Savage called it a 'Crackshot' when it it obviously a close copy of the old Stevens 'Favorite' model.
I don't think that they ever did actually roll mark any model 'name' on any of the several editions they made,,just Model numbers.

This Model 72 is Savages response to the popularity of their 1971 Commemorative rifle of the same Model,,their Model 71.
IIRC the commemorative had a Savage Indian Head logo roll marked on one side or something similar,

Savage also tossed an economy version onto the market,,the Model 74,,Round Bbl (the others were oct), all dull black finish (no CCH parts) and hardwood stock (others were AmWalnut).
Not alot of these around it seems. One or 2yr production.
This Model 74 was named the 'Little Favorite' by Savage in print,,but again the rifles were never roll marked as such that I know of. Just Model # marked.

Savage went bankrupt in the late 80's and a new Savage Co then brought out yet another version of the rifle (around yr2000).
This one was the Savage/Stevens 'Favorite Model 30'.
In a handfull of different editions & options, calibers incl 22LR, 22WMR and the 17RF's.

Favorites are great little rifles no matter the era.