Not sure if this is the proper venue for this request but it will at least get noticed.

Drillings and Combination guns have a rather cult following here on the Campfire and I think they deserve their own section to consolidate posts and stimulate discussion.

Add a reply to this post if you would like to see it happen.

I have now owned and hunted with three combo guns, currently own a quite rare (and very fine) Miroku-Browning Mod. 7500, in .308Win.x12Ga and a Merkel Mod. 96K in 12-12x9.3x74R, with custom Q-rib, ghost and post sights and scope mounts.

The Grouse and ungulate seasons run concurrently here in BC and guns of this type are very practical for the "meat hunter", while still very accurate for longer shots. My Merkel drilling simply astounded me when I first shot it and it out-shoots some of my most cherished bolt rifles, plus, will give three fast shots of two 12 bore Brenneke slugs and a 286NP at 2400......pretty fair bear medicine, I would expect.

So, yes, very much so, we NEED a forum for combo guns!

kut...

I have always wanted that 96 Merkel, from the day it went onto the market. I have a good friend who just got one in 16 & 9,3X74R. We took it to a pheasant preserve to try it out.

I LOVED the gun. Now I'm in trouble again...i need (?) one.

Oh...and, YES, we need a section for combo guns here.

Yes, we do, which is why I'm bumping this up....

Bump for better coverage.

All for it here.

Calling Deflave and Poobah.

absolutely!

A double gun forum would be nice.

Ed,

I'm assuming double rifles? Not shotguns....

bump again

Calling Rick Bin.

You guys can just blather about doubles and drillings in the custom gun section.
Really....
Or, start "www.drillings.com" or something.

'flave said, "GFY"

Steely said, "Blow Me"

'O said, "I can't get this open"

I'll put my vote for a section for drillings and combination guns and double rifles. They are very different from most other guns. In looking over the other sections, there really is no good fit for them. The problems, the joys, the crashes on the rocks of despair,the conundrums are very different and don't really match up with any other section. And that doesn't include the cartridges and reloading them. I don't see any area currently available to post questions or start a discussion on one of these guns or their ammo on this forum.
Thanks
Bfly

Seems to be some interest in adding Safari & Express rifles to the mix. Definately lots of similar subject matter in terms of regulating barrels and operating mechanics. Maybe we should name the new forum "Drilling, Combination & Express Guns".

We can't talk about the Savage .22/410 in the "custom" section.
We need our own.
Thanks in advance, Rick.

Not your cup of tea...don't join the party.

blather, blather, blather.....

10-4. I'd love to go to a drilling/combination rifle spot. Certainly there are plenty of other sections, some of which I have never seen -- but that's OK.

Thanks...

Dennis

I don't own one, but would frequent a Forum so dedicated.

It would be interesting and entertaining.

DF

I'm wondering why somebody would assume combo guns would fall into the "custom" category, along with all the rebarreled Remington 700's with mass-produced synthetic stocks?

Most drillings aren't custom-made, and Savage combo guns certainly aren't.

To someone who likely doesn't go farther than his local Wal-mart to buy his guns they would certainly appear both exotic and custom. Especially given the old world craftsmanship, engraving and dare I say it: the price tag.

Some folks just aren't capable of appreciating the finer things in life even if they didn't have to worry about the $$$.

+1 on the Savage 24's. Definitely not custom made, LMAO, can't even regulate the barrels, and the price certainly reflects that, even in this 1967 add. But they sure are fun.

LOL I love it to when people think throwing a new screw on barrel and a plastic stock makes their gun a custom. IMHO it makes it a hodged podged together rifle. As for the Savage combo gun who would want to talk about them or even admit they have one?

I would.

And

admits to owning about 2 dozen of them, LMAO.

don't have but 1, but love it...

Wink Man,

Thanks for posting that advertisement!

That's exactly the model of Savage I first owned. Bought it in 1969 when just out of high school with my wages from working on a farm in eastern Montana. It was a 20-gauge/.22 Magnum, and I killed a pile of game with it over the next few years. The shotgun barrel patterned a little high, but I learned to shoot it--and pretty well, for a kid. The .22 Magnum barrel shot very well.

Brought back fond memories for me as well, had one just like it. Killed a bunch of groundhogs, and other vermin with the 22 mag, and rabbits with the 20 ga. The trigger return spring in mine was busted. Had to hold it muzzle down while cocking the hammer, or push the trigger forward, to get the sear to engage! Neat gun!

Oh, and I too would love to see a drilling/combo section here at the fire!

Jeff

John,
My pleasure. I too graduated high school in 1969(hate to age myself). I have a LOT of the older adds for the Savage 24's, if they interest you, pm me your regular email, and I'll send them to you as full sized attachments.

That particular add is for a Savage 24 J-DL, 1967 vintage. I have 2 of them and both are 1967's according to the Savage/Stevens date code. Additionally, I have that full sized add in a nice oak frame atop one of the gun cabinets. The add came from a 1967 Field & Stream magazine.

Once in a blue moon you'll find one that the barrels shoot together, but more often than not, you simply have to adjust, as you stated. That particular style of barrels was said to be extremely accurate due to the rifle barrel being brazed the full length to the shotgun barrel, therefore making it very stiff. Alas by about 1973 it became cost prohibitive to do so, and the barrels were separated in a variety of manners. Either way, they sure are a fun gun.

I have at least one of every Savage 24 rifle over 20 gauge made, including the .357 Maximum, except for a 22 Hornet, that one has managed to elude me, and I don't seem to chase it any more.

Here's a cabinet of Savage 24's, 2 are 242's(410 over 410)and there's 2 Savage Fox BSE's in there, one at each end, a Camper across the top. I'm kinda ashamed to show them, LMAO, but here they are:

Garry,

Nice collection! I'll PM you my e-mail. Thanks!

As I recall, my .22 Magnum/20 cost $67.50 at the local hardware store in Forsyth, Montana. Can't recall exactly what a box of 3" 20-gauge ammo and a box of .22 Magnums cost back then, but it was less than $5 for both.

John,
Thanks. The price sounds about right, that 1967 add shows a list price from Savage of $68.50 for the 24J-DL and the standard model has a list price of $54.50.

I remember 1969 and hardware stores, it was even politically correct in the heart of the Socialist Republic of New Jersey(Bergen County) to have Peters shotgun shells in the display window of Zegels Hardware in Midland Park come fall, but those days are long gone here.

I sure want to thank you for sharing these photos.

Again, my pleasure. Also have most of the Savage catalogs from 1967 to 1980 that have the Savage 24 specs, models, calibers, etc. If Rick was to start a new Section on such, I'd be willing to scan and put up those specs. I already did it once for the Savage 24 discussion board.

Also think Alectoris came up with the best name for the new section, "Drilling, Combination & Express Guns". Especially the 'combination' part. Another board started such a section and some clown on it kinda decided Savage 24's are a little to 'low class' to bother with compared to Drillings. Needless to say, I don't go there anymore, as I kinda happen to like Savage 24's, neat little guns.

Very cool, Wink Man.
I only have the 22 mag over 3" 20, but I love those 24's.
Thanks for posting.

Frankly, I think you have the best combo of the bunch they offered. I always thought of the Savage 24 as a 'bugout/survival' gun. If one had to bug out, a 24 as you have in your hands and a Camper(22 rimfire over 20) broken down in your pack as a spare along with a brick of rifle ammo for each and some 20 gauge birdshot and slugs could feed you for a long long time.

Federal incidentally make a very overlooked load for the 22 Magnum, it's a 50 grain jacketed hollow point and it is a wicked little load. I think it would be the best choice as a survival round for killing most game up to deer and black bear in a survival situation.

JOIN ME BROTHERS!! JOIN THE FIGHT!

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/6833502/Combination_Guns#Post6833502


Travis

Flave,
maybe you could have Mule Deer be your VP.
With your moderator status and his,.....a STATUS
you could command the ear of the site owner.

Mr. Barsness,

I hope this post finds you well this fine Thursday. I have been maneuvering to accomplish this task for some time.

See below:



Perhaps we could combine your sterling reputation, with my alcoholism, and create the perfect monster.


Love,
Travis

I think it's time for Rick to stop playing partisan politics and bring us all together once more.


Travis

LMFAO.

That Camper is pretty sweet.


Travis

Thanks. It's a 'Series S' with the action break in the front of the trigger guard, 22 rimfire over 20 with a 3 inch chamber. Somewhere between 1981/1989 vintage as in 1980, they still had the tan carrying case, and they stopped making the 24 in 1989 when they went into chapter 11, then it reemerged around 1990 as the 24F with the tupperware stock and no more camper version. Here's a better pic of the gun, along with the carrying case.

My brother's was a .22/410. It was bitchin' and only weighed 112lbs.

Didn't they make some that held cartridges in the stock?


Travis

Yes all the campers have a 'trap door' built into the buttstock, that Series S model can hold 10 22 rimfire rounds and 1 20 gauge shell in the stock. The older models would hold 2 20 gauge shells but they only had a 2 3/4 inch chamber.

Pic of the trapdoor stock out of a 1980 Savage catalog for you Travis.

Only on the campfire could I end up yearning for a Savage Combo...


Travis

You would be better off with a Kimber, don't ya think?

Beautiful collection Wink man!
Another vote for a drilling/combo gun section. I had a .22mag/20 gauge but stupidly sold it. I need another.

BTW, I used to live in Bergen County (Tenafly) a very long time ago.

I had no idea you had started a thread like this! Anyone know why RickBin is dragging his feet on this? The proposition seems to have a great deal of popular support...

Maybe he's worried we'll become AR Jr.

Not a chance, Rick. We're not that civil.

Because he wants to exercise his control upon us.

But one man shall rise up, and demand what is right.

And that man is John Barsness.


Travis

thanks to input that request. whatever the number i second the request.

all the best.

Careful there, deflave, someone may forward the pic of those Savages to Feinstein to add to "the list".

Feinstein is an 80%'er.


Travis

I'd like to see it happen. I have a Drilling (that I can't identify) and a Winchester combo gun. I haven't shot them in several years, but talking with others that share the interest could surely get me back to reloading some 8X57R360's.

You guys notice the wrong-handers got their own forum?

How many left handed people are in the entire country? Like 8? Maybe?


Travis

That 8X57R360 is a nice soft-shooting round that kills deer 100 yards, on in. I re-chambered my Tribel-Aushburg 16/16/8X57R360 to 8X57 JR; ammo availability was a main reason.

I`m in favor of that. Merkel overunder combo 2 barrel set 270Win x 16ga and 16ga x 16ga along with a fine Austrian capegun 16ga x 9.3x72R and a couple Savage 24`s in the safe. Shame that Savage dropped the 24 and replaced it with that &##***++ black thing.Love my 24`s
Joe

Our prayers have been answered.........
A combo section..............
Thanks, Rick

SUCCESS!!!! Thank you all for voicing your support!

Finally......a big thank you to all that made this possible!

Jeff

It was a lot of work. But when you walk with Christ, you're never really alone.


Travis

I regularly shoot quail with my 16/16/8x57. It only weighs 6.4# It always raises some eyebrows in the field too.