Hello! Thought I would share some pics of my Savage 4C before I start restoring it. From my admittedly limited internet research, this appears to be a pre-WW2 example, made somewhere between 1933 and the start of the war. I managed to find this one at a gun show for dirt cheap. The older gentleman who sold it said it was his fathers gun from his childhood, and hadn't been fired since 1990 when his father passed away. It's definitely seen some use over the years but the action is smooth and for what it is, its deadly accurate. And more importantly its fun as hell. I'm going to be completely re-blueing the action, and re-doing the stock, including trying my hand at re-checkering the grip. Its so worn down it feels smooth to the touch. I have a Birchwood Casey kit coming for the re-finishing aspect of the gun, but I still need to find a set of tools to do the checkering with. Does anybody have a recommendation for a decent set of checkering tools that won't break the bank?
Savage 4C Restoration
- Thread starter do_guns
- Start date
Nice project. PLs post pics of the process and end result.
I have a 4c myself that is in a bit better shape but missing the open sights.
Mine has a stamped metal trigger guard by the way.
Would you mind sending me some close up pics of the sights so I know what to look for at gun shows?
Love the way mine cycles. Very smooth and has a decent size bolt handle.
Really does not feel like a .22 rifle.
I have a 4c myself that is in a bit better shape but missing the open sights.
Mine has a stamped metal trigger guard by the way.
Would you mind sending me some close up pics of the sights so I know what to look for at gun shows?
Love the way mine cycles. Very smooth and has a decent size bolt handle.
Really does not feel like a .22 rifle.
I just finished restoring a fine 4C from '37. (built between 33 and 65) Purchased as a parts gun for $70 with no bolt. Bluing was perfect with a minor bit of hazing some steel wool took care of. Bore was perfect however with some dry firing pin damage for which I stoned out. Placed and ad here for a bolt and to my joy a response from NB saved the day. Total all in $150.
I have Williams FP peep sights attached to the original mounting holes. If you are considering it, have a smith drill and tap for a target peep and never look back. Mine shoots like a dream and I must say they knew what they were doing back then.
Take a look at the back side of the butt plate, a date may be stamped on it indicating the date of manufacture. I finished mine with 50/50 Boiled linseed varsol (2 coats) and must say, much finer finish than that of the original. I would recommend an oil finish for that old walnut stock. Bed 1.5" front and back of the mounting slot and inside the slot using JB. You will find this greatly improves the accuracy around all types of ammo, but mine clearly prefers CCI standard (sub half inch at 25m with open sights no less. Very impressive for an 80 year old rifle.)
When you find some checkering tools, follow the original lines closely. Slow and light passes will quickly show you what you have. Will give you an appreciation of the craftsmanship held from yesteryear.
Give that old bolt a bath in varsol for a couple days and clean it out well. They gather a lot of crud over the decades. I also stoned the sear in order to get better purchase on the bolt. If you are having some problems with cocking and falling off have a look at the little screw that stops the sear, it allows for some travel to adjust the sear engagement. Mine was too long so I filed it ever so slightly until perfect. Mine breaks clean with a surprisingly nice trigger pull.
Cold blue works ok but will wear faster than the original blue. Perhaps a coating of choice would protect it forever. Enjoy the restoration, they are well worth it. A bit of nostalgia to bring to the range and place the competition in their place.
Elky.
I have Williams FP peep sights attached to the original mounting holes. If you are considering it, have a smith drill and tap for a target peep and never look back. Mine shoots like a dream and I must say they knew what they were doing back then.
Take a look at the back side of the butt plate, a date may be stamped on it indicating the date of manufacture. I finished mine with 50/50 Boiled linseed varsol (2 coats) and must say, much finer finish than that of the original. I would recommend an oil finish for that old walnut stock. Bed 1.5" front and back of the mounting slot and inside the slot using JB. You will find this greatly improves the accuracy around all types of ammo, but mine clearly prefers CCI standard (sub half inch at 25m with open sights no less. Very impressive for an 80 year old rifle.)
When you find some checkering tools, follow the original lines closely. Slow and light passes will quickly show you what you have. Will give you an appreciation of the craftsmanship held from yesteryear.
Give that old bolt a bath in varsol for a couple days and clean it out well. They gather a lot of crud over the decades. I also stoned the sear in order to get better purchase on the bolt. If you are having some problems with cocking and falling off have a look at the little screw that stops the sear, it allows for some travel to adjust the sear engagement. Mine was too long so I filed it ever so slightly until perfect. Mine breaks clean with a surprisingly nice trigger pull.
Cold blue works ok but will wear faster than the original blue. Perhaps a coating of choice would protect it forever. Enjoy the restoration, they are well worth it. A bit of nostalgia to bring to the range and place the competition in their place.
Elky.
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I actually just spend the last few evenings cleaning and polishing the bolt. I had issues ejecting, and upon disassembly found the ejector springs where almost one solid piece from all the fouling built up inside them. After it was apart I let it sit in mineral spirits overnight and gave it a thorough scrubbing. Following that I polished it first by wet sanding with 180gr paper, followed by several rounds of wet sanding with 320gr. Finally I spent about half an hour polishing it with #000 steel wool and some gun oil to remove some of the surface rust that had built up on it. It still has some dings and dents in it from a lifetime of use that add to the character, but don't take away from the now silky smooth operation of the bolt. Later I will be carefully filing a nice sharp edge and polishing where the sear contacts the firing pin, as it's been worn down over the years.
As for the finish I'm planning on cleaning the stock with lacquer thinner, as it has a lot of dark staining from use and a fairly shiny and slick outer coating of varnish or lacquer that I don't really like. I plan on then refinishing with boiled linseed oil. As for the gun itself, I managed to talk myself out of re-blueing. It just has too much character to do that to. Instead I plan on removing the rust from the barrel and action with some fine steel wool, and leaving it at that. As well I will be cleaning and polishing the inside of the action as it's fairly crusty from sitting without oil for a few decades.
I'll take pictures of how it all turns out tonight.
