Woohoo! Look what I got to shoot!

[Ian]

It's a Savage 1907 in .45 ACP, one of the trials guns made for the US pistol trials that eventually resulted in adoption of the Colt 1911. Basically a scaled-up .32 Savage, with a grip safety, lanyard loop, manual slide hold-open, and 8-round double-stack magazine.

My overall thoughts? The recoil is definitely worse than a 1911. The sights and trigger are pretty crummy. It's a big pistol. The Ordnance Department totally made the right choice in the Colt. I'd still absolutely love to have one of the Savages anyway (this one, needless to say, doesn't belong to me).

 

[mgmorden]

Cool. Even outside of the merits of how useful it is this is just a neat and rare gun form a historical standpoint. I'd certainly love to have one too .

 

[Walkalong]

Very cool indeed.

 

[Got_Lead?]

That is very cool, how did you get a chance to fire it? Is it a locked breech or blowback

 

[Ian]

The owner is a fan of my web site, and has a collection of several very unusual guns - so we did video on a couple, including this Savage.

You'll see different claims on whether it's locked (using a rotating barrel) or just blowback. After looking at the mechanism and some still frames from the video I took, I'm will to say it's effectively unlocked, direct blowback. The theory is that the force exerted on the barrel by the bullet engaging the rifling prevent the barrel from rotating, which keeps it locked. That may technically be true for a very short time period, but it certainly unlocks with a fairly high chamber pressure still existing. I can see flame spitting out all over the place when it cycles.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Certainly a rarity to see, let alone shoot!

Congrats on being someone trustworthy enough to handle such fine old tools.

The Savage 1907, .45acp had an 8 round mag. and already utilized the cut outs Colt "added" on the 1911A1.

Slick looking semi, ty for sharing.

 

[gunnutery]

It looks brand new! Congratulations.

 

[whetrock]

That's a pretty outlandish, and historically significant piece, I've seen them mentioned in a few articles though out the years. Never seen one in the flesh, and probably never will, you're very lucky.

 

[Certaindeaf]

That'd be pretty cool. Good for you!

 

[OcelotZ3]

The grip looks broken. Need to order another from Numrich.

 

[tarosean]

very cool

 

[Agsalaska]

Wow. You are one lucky dude to be able to have a chance to shoot that. I have never seen one in my life. Not in 45. Real cool.

 

[bannockburn]

That is extremely neat to see let alone have an opportunity to shoot it as well! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

 

[5-SHOTS]

How rare is it ? I've red that during the trials many stoppages occurred to the Savage. If I can find the magazine I'm probably able to list all the malfunctions. Anyway seems the one you shoot is a solid performer .

 

[Ian]

My understanding is that 288 of them were made in total. Most of the Army trials guns were eventually refurbished by Savage and sold as surplus, which is why they are still around.

I did have a number of malfunctions, primarily feeding problems. When I finish the video and post it, you'll see me having to rack the slide a couple times during a string of fire.

 

[OptimusPrime]

You shouldn't shoot it left-handed, it will make you miss.
Cool looker.

 

[Sam Cade]

Dig that proto-deco, machine age styling!

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Dig that proto-deco, machine age styling!

This! That sucker looks downright Buck Rogers.

 

[Jaymo]

I'd love to have a couple, and have them worked over.
As far as the slide opening while pressure is high, perhaps heavier hammer and recoil springs would help.
I can see a fluff 'n buff with modern night sights on one.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My Dad knew Uncle Billy Tilghman, "The Marshall of the Last Frontier" and my grandfather worked with him. Dad used to tell how Savage approached Uncle Billy and wanted him to carry a Savage. Their .380 had a 10 shot magazine, and their sales slogan was "Ten Shots Quick."

Uncle Billy told them, "It's been my experience if you can't do it with six, you can't do it."

 

[MAUSER88]

That is a true work of art. You are a lucky guy indeed!!