Savage Model 24 .410/22 Overunder

[ChromDome]

I just came into possession of a Savage Model 24 overunder .410/.22lr.

The gun belonged to my grandfather and has been sitting in an attic for 20 years. He passed about 20 years ago but I still have many fond memories of squirrel hunting with him when I was young...this is the gun he would give me to carry. Needless to say, this particular gun has lots of sentimental value to me.

The gun is not in very good shape: The exterior of the barrels has a light ammount of spotting rusting on it. Both bores look decent to my untrained eye. The wood of the stock is in terrible shape with the laquer worn off in many places. The brushed metal finish on the reciever is ok with a few scratches it has a nice engraving of a running fox on one side and a phesant on the ither. The hard plastic butt plate is broken.

I would like to restore this gun to as good a condition as possible which means getting the light layer of rusting off the barrels and restoring the stock.

I'm torn between trying to do this myself and having a gunsmith do the work for me. On one hand, I've never tried to restore a gun, I have done some VERY basic gunsmitthing and am not afraid to try...Also it just feels like I owe it to my grandfather to do it myself...thats what he always taught me to do. On the other hand, I'm not sure I want to learn with this particular gun...I don't want to ruin this gun.

I would like to hear your opinions.

 

[tuna]

If I were you, I'd want to do it myself, just to really honor the memory and add more to the gun. If you have a child, it would be way cool to add him/her to the restoration project.

I would hit the used rack of your local gunshop, and see if they have a really beat up .22 single shot or such that you can pick up for $40 - $50 and practice on first. If you explain the project to a good shop, they may get guns that they don't even bother to put out and will give you a great price. Or see if any of your friends have a beater to give out. If you were local I've got a couple junkers just waiting for the next gun buy back that I'd give you.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Start with a good deep cleaning and then see what you have to work with. Rubbing lightly with 4/0 (0000) fine steel wool with any light oil (Kroil, Ballistol etc) will get the surface rust off the barrels without damaging any bluing that remains. As to the wood, a beginning cleaning with Murphy's Oil Soap (they even make disposable wipes now) to remove oxidized finish and surface dust/dirt is a good place to start.

See how it looks to you cleaned up, then decide if you think it needs more. If so, check with the factory to see if they will do a factory refinish on it. If so that might well be your best option.

Congratulations on being gifted with a piece of your past, nice to see someone else who appreciates such things.

lpl/nc