Savage 775a - who shoots one?

[MJD]

A Savage 775a popped up for sale locally in 12 gauge. I hadn't heard of it before, and did cursory research. Apparently it is a rounded-receiver version of the Savage 720, itself a licensed copy of the Browning A5 and the receiver is aluminum.

At 200 bucks it seems like it's on the higher side of what they go for, but I think I could negotiate a bit lower. It doesn't appear to have been cut down and the condition looks good from the photos.

Anyone have experience with this shotgun, and common parts/areas of failure I should check for if it progresses to that? Seems like the normal A5 type of inspection points would be in order, but I'm curious if the aluminum receiver presents any other problems or if Savage licensed copy has any other quirks.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

It seems to me the rounded-receiver versions often suffer cracked buttstock heads where they contact the receiver. Other than that, I’d run the usual auto 5 checks (include the forearm in this). If you buy please at least change the recoil and action spring when you shoot.

 

[rodinal220]

I have one, run it like any Auto-5 or Remington 11. Make sure all the friction pieces are in good order. I run a little moly grease in the receiver.

 

[MJD]

Thanks to both of you.
Yeah, I've started replacing springs in all my guns - they're relatively cheap compared the cost of ammo you put through, and it's an easy maintenance item.
I've only ever shot A-5s and the clones, never owned one, but the friction piece seems like a similarly cheap and easy maintenance item for reliability.