Savage 1899 Disassembly/Assembly & Cleaning

[@davidsingleton1743]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. We have a 1923 model G take-down in 300 Savage that also needs to be disassembled and cleaned. The task has been put off for a long time over concerns about getting it back together. These days there aren’t many gunsmiths around familiar with these vintage rifles. You have done those of us struggling with trying to keep a treasured heirloom in good working condition and in the field hunting a really great service. Will definitely keep you in mind for future work. Thanks again, and best of luck to you!

[@jayrobertson232]

Unlike this guy, use a soft wooden vise to hold the rifle when working with the screws and fasteners. You’ll be much less likely to bung up a screw head and or scratch the metal.

[@southardarms]

@@jayrobertson232 whether you saw it or not in the video, there was protective surfaces on the vice to protect the firearm from any type of harm 👍

[@peggytowers552]

Downstairs I have a completely disassembled Savage 99 Takedown. It is my next custom rifle project. Now I know how t put it together. Thank you! You do an excellent job!

[@alabasterdrgn]

I really appreciated this video. I have a 1946 Model 99 also chambered in 250 Savage. My grandfather bought it brand new and gave it to me about 20 years ago. I love this rifle. I'm so glad I found your video. While I'm careful and meticulous when I'm working with something I haven't before, it's always helpful when I can find a video that details the process. Even though I've had mine for 20 years, I've not fully broken it down, partly out of concern of not getting everything right and breaking something. Your video helps me know that I can. Thanks again for sharing.

[@ericr.3759]

I inherited one of these built in the early '30's and want to thank you for the fine, instructional video so that I can get it ready to shoot again. Your Kroil oil demonstrations were really enjoyable. I've found that 50:50 acetone:ATF is a great alternative.

[@LIFEDEATH65]

Thank you! This video helped me so much with guns I got from my grandparents.

[@jepsdog3859]

My God how the heck did they machine all these parts to those tolerances back in 1899 ? Your talking true craftsman machinists, I would love to have seen this process done then compared to now. I have my dad’s old 250/3000 and am amazed with this work of art .

[@568843daw]

Great job, thank you for the video. For those DIYer’s out there, once the carrier is in the receiver, you have to preload the torsion spring in the carrier before setting the retaining screw. Only after the preload is set(which is a few full 360 degree revolutions) than you will insert the screw which fits into a slot on the carrier. Only when the screw is mated into a slot is it tightened down. He did not show this in the video, but that is OK, poop happens. His video was very good.

[@michaeldickerson873]

Just what I had hoped to see in detail….I am trying to do this to an assembled 308….the counter is easy to get out of sequence showing incorrect number in window…ughh

[@southardarms]

I made a video showing the assembly of the carrier and tension spring to further elaborate the assembly.... Thanks for watching and commenting

[@southardarms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5iscqeGppuWoNUsi=W4NKAKZIjFbsxoq7

[@royalblue2043]

Piece of functional mechanical art.What a nice rifle.Thank you for showing the breakdown and cleaning .

[@Razrbck2517]

Thank you for the video and explanation. Got mine in a trade several years ago. Lever to small for my hand with gloves. Thanks to you I installed a custom enlarged loop I made. Thank you again.

[@TheHoquiamHunter]

We’ve got a nice 99’ in 300 savage and this has been a great help. It was my great grandfathers gun. He will be so happy when we get it working good again. He’s in his 90s so hopefully he will see it work.

[@southardarms]

If it becomes cumbersome and you need help, please feel free to reach out to me

[@southardarms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5iscqeGppuWoNUsi=W4NKAKZIjFbsxoq7

[@bobyoung1698]

My father-in-law left me one of these in his will. Now, I know how to clean it right.👍 Thanks!

[@KLR-650]

You showed great patience with that gun. I really wanted to see the carrier put back in though.

[@therooster6104]

Hey brother this video is an absolute life saver I inherited my dad’s Model 99 in .308 The counter isn’t working so thanks to you I can get down to it and be sure that she is a continued work of fabulous craftsmanship . Of course it is a heirloom to me especially sense Dad passed away 9 years ago and I want my son to have her 🤝 If there is anything particular that I need to know it would be of great help , other than the excellent information already given . Thank you again brother 👊🏼

[@livinginthemoment3183]

I just inherited my old man’s model 99 in 308 👍 Functions fine but I’m about to pull it down and give it some love and maybe re blue or something. Havnt heard of many around. I’m about to pull

[@garyodell6090]

When you go to remove the barrel from a takedown use the forearm to remove the barrel.when you take the forearm off on the inside there is a slot place over the hook on the barrel and hold them both together and twist and the barrel will come off easily.

[@CapnMic]

found this very informative. Savage 99 is my favoite lever action rifle .. first video I've seen to address the magazine removal. Would love to see this rifle reborn in modern production. Just a great design and a rifle that has some real interesting history.

[@matthewdiehl1647]

Wow great video! Just got a 1939 99 on Christmas day and was wondering what i would do if i had to clean it up!

[@barrybaker9516]

Good video! Mine is (I believe) a '99G takedown in .300 Savage made in 1924

[@douglashill4007]

Best video on this subject I have been able to find. Thank you

[@claidemore]

Kudos to you for doing a complete disassembly and reassembly, nobody else on KZbin has done one. I believe one should remove the tang sight before removing the butt stock. It should fit flush against the wood, it was slightly bent before you pried the stock off, bent even more after. (That could be why that screw didn't want to fall out.) I also noticed that the hammer retractor spring was missing when you re-assembled the bolt. I have four 99's, two of them are missing that spring. Thank you for showing how the magazine comes out, I've never done that yet, and have one rifle that requires it. Very worthwhile video.

[@southardarms]

Lol you caught the hammer spring 😂, I noticed afterwards and put it back in, silly easily and corrected. And yes, the sights should come off first, learned that one the hard way. If I get another 99 in my shop I think I'll do another video on how to properly set the rotary magazine back in it too

[@aquilinoperez7303]

​@@southardarmsyou might get that opertunity sometime soon, I bought a Savage 99 in 250 savage about a year ago and have been wanting to refinish the stock and thought I might as well get it cleaned before I do so. Amazing video keep up the great work.

[@southardarms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5iscqeGppuWoNUsi=W4NKAKZIjFbsxoq7

[@kmorris180]

Man, this is a great video. I like how you didn't have all of the screws ready to be removed. I'm having trouble with my 1899. The automatic cutoff keeps flying into the bolt's raceway and jams the action.

[@southardarms]

@@kmorris180 sounds like a timing issue. May have to look at linkage and see if any parts are wallard out (worn out) could be a simple upgrade on parts or taking to a smith to have them reprofile the action

[@erroneous6947]

Love these guns. Imo the 250 savage round is under rated.

[@rex8958]

Thank you very much sir. I’m currently just a hobbyist “gunsmith” but am going to take all the courses starting this fall. Just trying to get a head start by working on my personal firearms, I have a 1899 in 250 savage as well made in 1927

[@southardarms]

Are you taking SDI courses?

[@rex8958]

@@southardarmstechnical college in Minnesota called Pine Technical, only in person courses in the state. Did you do the SDI programs? I know quite a few gunsmiths who have went that route

[@southardarms]

@@rex8958 I attended SDI's online program. It is honestly pretty awesome, however I feel that a hands on learning experience is much better. Best of luck to you

[@57Dalv]

Nice job. Long time fan snd collector of the finest firearm made - the 99. I would love to tear it down like you did but have learned over the years that I'm good at taking apart but not so good at putting things back together. I'll stick with the superficial cleaning in lieu of ruining my 99's. I am going to try Kroil as it was impressive. I have heard about it for years but never tried. Keep up the good work as your channel grows.

[@michelpaquette2722]

Thank you to show me how to reassemble the mecanism wow nice explaination.👍

[@m1a1abrams93]

Tape is your friend when trying to loosen screws on the receiver. May keep from scratching the metal when your screwdriver slips. And I would have used a brass polish on the carrier. It not only helps to clean but it also protects.

[@congerthomas1812]

Thanks, a solid wack on the screw,bolt or anything threaded will make a 100% difference.

[@richp1146]

Thank you. That was very informative

[@frankwebster8365]

This is an amazing video, thanks very much for this WoW information. Take Care and Be Safe.

[@jeffspooner7637]

I have seen on a couple other older videos on the 99 Savage, that when the magazine carrier is removed, when it is re-installed, the torsion spring needs to be preloaded before that pin/screw is re-installed. Have you heard of that? I think if it is not preloaded the carrier may not have enough force to feed the last 1 or 2 cartridges.

[@southardarms]

yes, that absolutely needs to be done. Let me tell ya, it's a pain in the butt. I wish I got it on camera, but it died when I was doing that part of the firearm, and I did not want to re-do it.

[@savageater57]

That gun was made in 1917 , the amount of hand fitting. That was why Savage had to cease manufacturing . Most people would not be able to afford one today . I have one in .300 Savage, I consider selling mine occasionally and then reason returns.

[@danbentsen]

Very good video. Thanks for Posting

[@gilbertsmith8595]

Thanks, good video, very informative. Great gun thanks again

[@michaeldickerson873]

Good video. I watched to see the spindle reassembly which you did off camera. Same with tension setting procedure. Sure would be nice if you at least pointed out the critical things which invariably was just out of the video photo or was done off camera without any close up pointing and describing what was done .TY

[@Boncked]

Nice video, but you really should have the right width screwdrivers to prevent bunging up the slots.

[@Slasherr717]

My firing pin is different from the one you worked on. It has a little wish bone shaped spring and I can't figure out how to get it to fit back in place 😮‍💨

[@user-ti7uj4dq5n]

I have a savage 99 takedown I believe a 1925 model in 300 savage but the barrel has been cut down and seen better days and the stock also. Is the action or rifle as is worth anything or can I get a replacement barrel or a new one made for the rifle ?

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Absolutely great year down video. Would've been nice to not have the camera turning off and some blocked shots but still very informative

[@stevedavis4377]

i love the 99 have 5 .

[@jeffsupinski2092]

Have a .300 featherweight 1899 I noticed that you did not coat with or apply lube to any friction points I know oil can attract dirt but shouldn’t moving parts be lubricated?

[@kc8mwt]

Awesome video!

[@jerrycross1229]

what a great video, Thank you for your time. Do you know where I can get a trigger return spring for my 303 savage?

[@southardarms]

www.gunpartscorp.com/products/144200a

[@Madskills-hw2ox]

Where can a person get a fitted stock and forearm for the 99 Thank you 🙏

[@bigdc9092]

Ok I just inherited my Dads savage 99E .308. He had some steel ammo he had in the bag. I got 16 rounds through it and the last round I shot must have been pretty hot cuz it bent the extractor. Now I need to find myself one but all the videos I watch don't show how to remove it from the bolt or slide. It is a screw? Or a pin that holds the extractor in? I bent the extractor back but its still has a tiny bend to it. Kinda sad that it happened. Now just wanna fix it back to what it was. Any help would be great thanks.

[@southardarms]

Should be a pin. Email me and I can help you out [e-mail]

[@RubenDancor]

very good explicacion from argentina

[@cutbaitkenny]

Ok I have owned a 52' model 99 for a few months, the trigger sucks, is there a fix for that or do I sell it and find one with a better trigger?

[@southardarms]

@cutbaitkenny Lots to consider... "The trigger sucks" is a vague description lol. How does the trigger suck? Why do you feel that it sucks? Is it floppy? Is it too much effort to pull it then you want? Go to my websites and get a hold of me with the contact info on there and we can figure it out for ya

[@cutbaitkenny]

Sorry about the vague trigger description, by sucking I mean it takes a lot of effort to break, it feels like 10 pounds. I'll get ahold of you on your site. Thanks @@southardarms

[@Jon_1996.]

I have a Savage 99e. And at 7:45, while trying to follow the video my bolt does not fall out. I was wondering is there a difference because it’s a 99e or am I missing something?

[@cutbaitkenny]

I've been looking for one of these in a 300 Savage for my grandson, amazing firearm. Where are you located? I'd have you go thru my rifle anyday.

[@southardarms]

Hey there, I'm located in Colorado

[@southardarms]

Check out my website southardarms.com

[@tlloyd9325]

The 99 Savage is an amazing firearm. Especially so considering when it was made. The reason they don’t make them today is because of too much machining and hand fitting of parts. IMO the best handling firearm ever built. It has a natural carry position and comes to bear easily. Thank you for the video! Did you notice how much crud was down in the mag well? Mine was NASTY.

[@traviscampbell7081]

Awesome video! The 99 has a special place in my heart since it was the rifle I learned to shoot on. I just picked one up today that the lever doesn't want to seem to stay closed on. I'm going to follow along with your video and see if I can figure it out

[@TheTrtrapper]

I have a westpoint 474 b series, savage pump 30/30 any chance you could do one of those

[@southardarms]

@TheTrtrapper absolutely!

[@genescott3989]

Anyone know where I could find a value of my 99 308? It is still brand new with tags, never been shot! Very rare! Thanks

[@southardarms]

Email me and I can help you. [e-mail]

[@kesleycottrell1416]

That's an old rifle with the counter. Stuck screws will happen.

[@michaelkywright2195]

Im going to show you the steps to reassemble this tool. (Camera cuts out and back in) "while the camera is off i did the most difficult part"

[@southardarms]

I know kind of a bummer huh? I'm planning on doing a video where I show the carrier assembly in future.

[@krisswanson5410]

Please be careful with Kroil and wear latex gloves so it doesn't absorb thru your skin and go to the liver. I love Kroil, but respect it's dangers.

[@RAVENOFTHENORTHWESTGAWOODS]

It whould be quicker if you would hold the driver straight

[@southardarms]

Damn dude, I hade no idea! Thank you for your comment and I am looking forward to more critiques!

[@Fireworxs2012]

*That's not a "1917" Savage 99..Am I the only one that held his breath when he popped that barrel off?*

[@southardarms]

What is it then?

[@Fireworxs2012]

@@southardarms*That is a good question..Start by flipping the rifle over and look for the LBC. If there is one, you'll find it on the lever boss front, just above the screw that hold the lever onto the gun. If there's a code there, it was manufactured between 1949 & 1970...Might need a magnifier to read, (they can be very faint) it's located within a stamped oval. Pre-1940, the last 2 numbers of the serial number, but the hard truth is, Savage's records from that time are sketchy at best..Post 1970, Savage records are fairly complete. You can try to run down what year Savage made the switch from the straight grip/lever to the pistol/curved grip lever, but that is not an easy search. I know for a fact that up until at least the mid 1920's, Savage used the straight grip...Past that it's a bit of a crap shoot...Seeing this one has the curved grip, & the factory peep sight and the thin fore-grip, If I had to guess, sometime after 1930, before 1950....Of course....I'm probably wrong...* 🔥

[@southardarms]

@@Fireworxs2012 i appreciate the honest reply, I'll have to call up my customer and have a look at the firearm again, from all the research I have done on the firearm, I have found that the serial numbers match up to 1917... I could be wrong

[@Fireworxs2012]

@@southardarms*I'm 62 years old, I've owned 5 different Model 99's over the years. I've kept 2 of them. (I'm left-handed so lever guns are a natural fit) Sold the others for way more than I paid for them and probably far less than I should have. The 99 is an amazing rifle and an important piece of firearm history. Arthur Savage was one of those Guys that comes along every so often and changes the World. I've never had any of them as far apart as you had this one. Mad respect for the skill and patience you demonstrated with this project.*

[@southardarms]

@@Fireworxs2012 I have to agree with the the older savage models. Beautiful pieces of art! Keep in contact with me and my projects. I love a good and honest critique! Happy holidays brother and thank you for the knowledgeable information 🙏

[@joey6119]

Nice video but what do you have against gun grease and oil? I'm just saying

[@southardarms]

None whatsoever. I definitely used plenty of it in this firearm before returning it to the customer 👌 not everything I do for work is included in videos. But thank you for pointing out the absence of that in the video.