[jaybee19]

I don’t really know much about this gun, and I was wondering if anyone on here remembers these from their likely brief original run. It’s a Savage Model 79 12 ga. w/ a 3” chamber. It’s a 29” barrel (or 30” depending on which way you round), got a vent rib/single ball, engraved receiver, engraved wood, hard butt plate, receiver-mounted tang safety, and I’ve got it set up with 2+1 shells at the moment, but the magazine looks like it should hold 4. It wouldn’t surprise me if something was wrong in there. It seems like it’s based on the Model 30 or 67, more in common with the 30, and if I had to put a year range on it, I’d guess 1975-80, but that’s just a guess. Any ideas? My understanding is that these can range from solid workhorses to economy guns to trash guns depending on the year, production batch, etc. I’m waiting to see if the Savage historical department writes me back.

 

[Blondie70]

Do those eject the empties downward ?

 

[jaybee19]

Do those eject the empties downward ?

They eject to the right and load from the bottom. Sorry, probably should have had a picture of the flip side.

 

[DoyleAlley]

For many years, I hunted with a Foremost shotgun that looked like that. Foremost was a JC Penney store label that appears to have been made by Savage. It functioned flawlessley for many years and last I heard was still serving the guy I sold it to. The magazine of mine was fixed at 3 shells and could not be modified.

 

[DoyleAlley]

For many years, I hunted with a Foremost shotgun that looked like that. Foremost was a JC Penney store label that appears to have been made by Savage. It functioned flawlessley for many years and last I heard was still serving the guy I sold it to. The magazine of mine was fixed at 3 shells and could not be modified.

 

[BIGJOE38922]

What's it doin? Or not?

 

[Cliff731]

For many years, I hunted with a Foremost shotgun that looked like that. Foremost was a JC Penney store label that appears to have been made by Savage. It functioned flawlessley for many years and last I heard was still serving the guy I sold it to. The magazine of mine was fixed at 3 shells and could not be modified.

Doyle... I've seen two or three of J.C. Penney's Foremost "branded" firearms in past years...

 

[jaybee19]

What's it doin? Or not?

The third shell almost loads into the mag, and these are 3” shells so if they were 2 3/4, it’d take the third one. I don’t know a whole lot about shotguns, but I was wondering if there’s something that could be wrong in the magazine or if it could be “opened up” to hold 4 3” shells plus the chambered round. It sounds like the answer is no, at least in Doyle’s case. Other than that, I’d like to know more about it. Hopefully Savage comes through, but I wouldn’t be shocked if I never heard from them again.

 

[BIGJOE38922]

Make sure there isn't a plug in the magazine tube, do that first

 

[DoyleAlley]

Make sure there isn't a plug in the magazine tube, do that first

If it is like the one I had, there is no plug at all.

 

[checker]

Best that I can recall, that is a Savage Model 67. The alloy trigger housing also was threaded for the buttstock draw bolt. And it would break. Getting a replacement trigger housing sometimes would be a pain.

 

[BIGJOE38922]

Might not be worth the trouble

 

[Mesquite]

Have you broke down gun/mag to make sure no debris lodged in mag.

 

[DEADEYE 1]

I own one Savage pump now that is a 410. I have worked on these guns and have some parts that I ordered and did not use. It is best to let someone that has worked on these before show you how to disassemble one. No problem checking to see if it has a plug.
When working on old pump and semi-auto shotguns I have discovered all sorts of things used for magazine plugs. I have found pencils, hand carved sticks.
Recently I found a short piece of galvanized pipe used for a plug. Some of the Savage shotguns may go by the Stevens name or Springfield.
These are tough shotguns, a bit more difficult to repair than Mossbergs or Remington. They will shoot and bring home game for many years before they need a part or complete breakdown and cleaning.