I've got a savage model 99e carbine. Based on the serial number, I am led to believe it was made in 1951. I love the little gun, but I don't really like the rotary mag. Is there a kit or something available that changes the action to a removeable magazine? It all functions properly, I just do lots of jump-out-of-the-truck-and-shoot style hunting. And here, it's not legal to have bullets in your gun while in a vehicle (I assume it's not legal anywhere). So I want a savage model 99 with an external mag. There isn't one for sale in the city, I've called every gun shop. Thanks.
ned
P.S. It's chambered in .243 win.
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Savage didn't introduce the Model 99 in .243 until 1956, so your rifle wasn't made in 1951.
Your rifle's rotary magazine is more highly prized by collectors and the majority of 99 owners than the "C" model ("clip"). The best quality Model 99s were made prior to Savage's move from Chicopee Falls, MA. to Westfield, MA. in 1960.
Your rifle probably has a Lever Boss Code ("LBC") which is the most accurate indicator of what year your rifle was manufactured. I have extensive records of the years of manufacture of the Model 99. If you give me the LBC, I can tell you the year of manufacture.
The LBC is located inside a small, lightly impressed OVAL on the lower front side of the receiver. Since the oval and the LBC are lightly struck, you may not see a whole OVAL (not a circle).
The LBC will show as a number followed by a letter. The number is the inspector's personal number and the letter is an indicator of the year of manufacture. Savage began using the LBC in 1949... beginning with the letter "A". As an example of the LBC, if Inspector #12 had done the inspection on the rifle, the LBC would appear like this inside an OVAL:
12A
You may have to use a magnifying glass to clearly see the Lever Boss Code inside the OVAL. If you find and post your rifle's LBC & serial number on this thread, I'll be able to tell you the year of manufacture of your rifle.
In 1950, the LBC letter was changed to "B". In 1951, it was changed to "C" and so on through the alphabet ending with "Y" in 1971. The letters "O" and "Q" were skipped due to their close similarity.
The first major change to the original 1899 design was introduced in
1965 with the introduction of the "C" model ("C"="Clip") which had a detachable box magazine with a push-release button on the receiver's right side. This is the
first model 99 with a quick-detachable clip replacing the famous Savage rotary magazine which is a feature you mentioned you wanted.
With a quick release magazine model (the Model C), you could keep a loaded clip in your pocket and get out of the vehicle, step off the roadway, quickly put the loaded clip into the empty rifle, operate the lever and you'd be ready to "rock 'n roll".
However, most States don't allow shooting from or across the roadway, so you should check the regulations where you hunt.
I hope this information is of help to you...
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.
