Shotgun Scope on a Combo (with warning engraving)?

[theJeff]

Good morning! First post; be gentle

My father gave me a Savage 24c Combination .22/20ga. Break action, single shot, fun little survival gun. I would like to put a little scope on it, which brings my to my question:

There is actually an engraved message on the barrel (paraphrase) "Do not fire the shotgun with a scope attached." I am wondering if shotgun scopes have improved since this 24c was produced to the point that this message is obsolete, and a relatively durable shotgun scope would be fine, or if there is something about the design of this gun that makes firing the shotgun unadvisable with a scope, regardless of scope quality.

Thanks for your time; looking forward to checking out this forum!

-Jeff

 

[chicharrones]

I'm guessing that with the short receiver length of a break barrel gun, that a short eye relief rimfire type scope that is right next to your eye, will recoil into your face when firing shot shells.

Maybe that is what they were warning about?

 

[chicharrones]

By the way, welcome to THR, Jeff.

 

[RedlegRick]

I'm with Cheech on this one, but for another reason. A scope on a combo gun would pretty much negate the shotgun barrel for more than shooting slugs. Anytime you try to make one item perform two tasks, you end up with a device that can do neither as well as the two it's intended to replace.

That said, the Savage 24 is a magnificent device that I would love to have. I'd say keep it as issued so you can use it as designed. Welcome to the board as well.

 

[243winxb]

Some had a dovetail for a scope.

The online instructions show a Weaver type base mount. NOTE: serial number in photo from instructions.

Some receives/barrel may have soft steel. Screws holding the mount may get ripped out under recoil.

One alloy receiver had a steel insert molded in for mounting screws. A Win. If i remember correctly.

 

[George P]

I had the 24C, aka "Camper's Companion". It had horrible accuracy, no shotgun choke (cylinder bore) and was more of a fun camp gun. Minute of coke can was good enough.

 

[Legionnaire]

I no longer own it, but I scoped my 24E-DL. Worked great.

 

[Armored farmer]

I am tempted to suggest you try a short tube red-dot on your 24.
Sight it in on the .22 barrel. Shoot a dozen 20ga and see what happens.
Recheck zero.
Double check eye relief so you dont get an idiot mark.
The red dot will be good for short to medium range. 22lr shooting and might possibly still work for the occasional wingshot with the 20ga.

 

[George P]

NO red dot is worth it for wingshooting. I suspect the 20 ga cylinder barrel for this model was more likely for something like rabbits

 

[Mauser lover]

I'm guessing it is a mounting issue, not necessarily a recoil bashing your eye issue. Those little 3/8 dovetails don't have a whole lot of meat to them. I had a pellet gun scope jump right off a Gamo spring airgun because the puny mount isn't up to that kind of vibration. Why they don't beef up airgun mounts is beyond me. Anyway, I think the warning is about spontaneous disassembly.

 

[Legionnaire]

Mauser lover may be on to something. I used a BKL unitized mount on my 24, and slid it forward so the rear sight served as a recoil stop. Only base/rings I could find that would grip the 3/8 dovetail strongly enough to stand up to the 20 gauge.

 

[LoonWulf]

I'm guessing it is a mounting issue, not necessarily a recoil bashing your eye issue. Those little 3/8 dovetails don't have a whole lot of meat to them. I had a pellet gun scope jump right off a Gamo spring airgun because the puny mount isn't up to that kind of vibration. Why they don't beef up airgun mounts is beyond me. Anyway, I think the warning is about spontaneous disassembly.

I've had similar issues. Using a full length clamping, 1 piece mount solves them.
I've still had such a mount slide a little when clamped on to the tapered dovetail under a nagants rear sight. The fix for that was to drill a short blind hole and use the mounts slide stop pin.

 

[theJeff]

Many thanks for the welcomes, ideas, and warnings! I figure I may take it to a GS and get a little peep-sight put on if I really get the urge... but I will definitely ask about the possibility of a slide-proof mount if I ever take it in.
Thanks again!