Experience of the 219/220L?

[Mike Armstrong]

I've always avoided the last of the breakopen Savage single shots, the sidelever-opening 219L.   At first glance the workmanship and finish seem really shoddy, the stock and forearm over-wooded and clubby,  the trigger guard kinda flimsy, and the finish looks more like paint than bluing.

But (the big butt), is it possible that they are worth a look?  I have no problem (in theory) with the sidelever action if it works well--it was used on fine British and European single shots for years.

I assume (my second grade teacher always said "Ass-u-me makes an ass of you and me"--we said, among ourselves, "Mrs. Howard said ASS!  Hee hee") that the 219L was made only in .22 hornet and .30-30, the most popular calibers of the earlier 219s, and the 220L was made in the most popular guages: 12, 20, and .410.  But I don't really KNOW any of that.  Does anyone else?

And when and where were they made?  I've seen a couple, back many years ago, but they don't turn up very often even on the Internet.  Were they a bust from the start, and just not very common?

Just curious to know what anyone else knows.

[jaegerjp]

there is a 219L 30-30 on gunbroker right now for sale - looks fairly good.  Westfield, Mass on the receiver.  receiver is grooved for a scope.

[jaegerjp]

there is also four other 219's in 30-30 on gunbroker right now for sale; and one 22 hornet

[Garnett]

Mike, I have never had one of the side lever guns, and would not want one.  I think they were  the final "Nail in the Coffin" in cheapening and killing the beautiful models 219/220.  I agree, there are some early side lever single shots that are beautiful.  But there is no comparison between these early guns, the solid steel, sometimes checkered thumb piece, levers, and the stamped sheet metal ones on the 219/220L models.  However, it might be interesting to see if someone with imagination could improve the looks of the "L" models.  As you know, I did not include them in my book, as I felt they just had no place in the same book with the early models.    I have never researched them so I have no idea where made.  As to when....when Savage stopped the 219/220's in the mid '60's.  As to calibers, I agree with you....most likely Hornet and .30-30.  Maybe someone who owns one will enlighten us.  I found a really nice 220 in 12 gauge late last month when I was in Hershey, PA, visiting my daughter.  It was priced at $90, but I did not have a copy of my C&R. 

[Mike Armstrong]

According to second poster they were made in Westfield MA. which makes sense.  I'll keep looking for one of these "ugly stepchildren" to satisfy my curiosity--is there anything GOOD about them?  Just how BAD are they?  Morbid curiosity, I guess.

[Mike Armstrong]

Found a .30-30 219L on Gunbroker, #671036920.   Have a look if you've never seen one and maybe you'll see why they aren't favored much.

Blond birch stock, late type stamped rear sight, seems they went back to a sheet steel trigger guard by managed to make it even uglier than the alloy ones; nothing like a Utica steel guard.

In its defense, I'd say it's no uglier than a Baikal single shot....  Compared to an H&R, I'd say that'd be a real "race to the bottom."  To decide which is the "winner" you could go to GB item #671038097, a two-barrel H&R "Pardner" set.

Enough ugly.

[Garnett]

I can only say that it has a nice looking recoil pad.  I wonder if the pad is a factory original or added later? 

[Mike Armstrong]

Recoil pad is added, probably a Pachmyr Olde English.  Description says it's "proud of the wood," a pretty good indication that it's aftermarket.

[Mike Armstrong]

A poster on www.24hourcampfirecom informs me that he's worked on lots of 220s and 219s and that the barrels on the 219/220L are compatible with the B, D, and D models--they have the spring-loaded cocking pin that works those later actions.  If this is true, the " Ls" might be a source of barrel and ejector parts for some of the "nicer" models.

I'll try to investigate further with him.

Mike Armstrong

[Garnett]

This is something good to know.  Please keep up posted on what you find out.