23A vs. 23AA

[gordonmcw]

Can someone tell me how to tell the difference in a 23A and a 23AA? I have one, just don't know for sure what it is. Looks to be factory equipped with a rear peep sight on the receiver. The clip has a "button" on the bottom to grab when you want to take it out of the rifle. Thanks!

[Mac 1]

gordonmcw;

23A:
Mfg. 1923-33. A sporter version of the 1919NRA. Cocks half-way on opening of bolt, finishes cocking on closing of bolt. Don't remember if it has the twin strike firing pin of the 19NRA. Slow lock time. Has cocking knob similar to the Sprfld '03. Magazine has button latch/release. Beautifully proportioned schnable stock. Can't remember if marked as just 23 or 23A.

23AA:
Mfg. 1933-42. Improved model with a faster lock time (.002 sec.), cocks on closing I believe and single point firing pin. No cocking knob. Magazine latch changed to spring latch. Have seen checkered and smooth stocks. Mine is marked on left side of rec. "Model 23AA"

Hope this helps. Mac 1.

[gordonmcw]

Thanks, Mac - that's the type of info I was looking for. I'll check mine out this evening when I get home from work, see if I can decide which it is!

[Mac 1]

Gordon;

As to the magazines; the mag. for the 23A, that has the button release, is very scarce in and of itself. They probably would command a price of $50 to $75 on a table at a gun show. You know how the dealers inflate their prices!!

The 23AA uses a magazine that latches like most of the Rem. mag. fed rifles I.E. 511,513,521T. Brownells sells steel replacement mag. for the newer Savage rifles that will work fine in a 23AA if you file the bottom latch notch to allow the sping latch to engage and hold it in locked position.

I personally think these are one of the finest sporting .22 cal. rifles ever produced in the USA. I rate them with the Win. 75S and the Rem. 513S rifles.

Mac 1.

[gordonmcw]

Mine's not marked with 23 or 23A - it just says "Manufactured by Savage Arms Corp Utica NY USA" and "Patented Nov 28 1905, Sep 7 1915, Sep 4 1917, Nov 20 1917" on the barrel, and right above the loading port it says "22-long rifle" On the magazine, one side says "Savage Sporter" and the other says "22 long rifle, Savage Arms Corp, Patent April 28, 1908" To release the magazine, you push up on the bottom of it, then forward, then it will come down out of the rifle. The mag feed lips are a little worn, I might have to tweak them a bit to get it to feed smoothly, but then again, I don't shoot it much. Oh - and it has a cocking knob, so I guess all the clues point to it being a 23A and not a 23AA. Thanks again for the help!

[Mac 1]

You have PM.

Mac 1.