Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! The last time around I covered the history, variations, and notable difficulty in dating of a Savage six shooter that is really a single shot, the Savage Model 101. In this article, we are closing out the Savage Model 101 and all of its single-shot mystery. Giving it a send-off with specifications, aftermarket parts and accessories, and a range trip. Let’s dive right into the rabbit hole!
Recent Content in Curious Relics:
Welcome to our recurring series of “Curious Relics.” Here, we want to share all of our experiences, knowledge, misadventures, and passion for older firearms that one might categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that is at least 50 years old according to the ATF. Hopefully along the way you can garner a greater appreciation for older firearms like we do, and simultaneously you can teach us things as well through sharing your own expertise and thoughts in the Comments. Understanding the firearms of old, their importance, and their development which lead to many of the arms we now cherish today is incredibly fascinating and we hope you enjoy what we have to share, too!
Specifications: Savage Model 101
The Savage Model 101 is a very basic single action single shot pistol on the outside. It can only be fired when the hammer is cocked manually before firing. It is loaded via a pivoting barrel/faux cylinder assembly. Gripping the barrel and applying slight pressure to the side will rotate all of it and reveal a chamber and flush fit extractor attached to a traditional style ejector rod.
- Years Produced: From 1960 to 1968
- Number Manufactured: 53,000-54,000
- Chambering: 22LR-
- Barrel Length: ~5 Inches
- Overall Length: ~9.5 inches from heel to crown
- Weight: Roughly 1.4lbs
- Action:Single Action, Single Shot, Pivoting Barrel
- Safety: None
- Trigger Pull (My Example): 2lb 4.6oz
- Capacity: 1 Round
- Front Sight: Fixed Front Half Moon
- Rear Sight: Rear Dovetailed Square Notch
- Grip: Faux Walnut (Marketed as “compressed impregnated wood”)
After Market Parts & Accessories: Savage Model 101
As far as accessories go there never really was any to begin with. You could argue that there were holsters marketed alongside these pistols but beyond that, there was never a Savage Model 101 holster, gun belt, or any other stereotypical Western accouterment. Parts on the other hand do exist but the pool seems to be drying up fairly rapidly since the last time I ordered one just a few months back. Sources like Numrich seemingly have the most while eBay, Popperts, and Hog Island Gun Parts have small bits and bobs here and there.
Range Time: Savage Model 101
As boring as it sounds the range trip with this gun was extremely simple. It is a simple gun after all. The grip size is similar to that of a Ruger bearcat so they can feel a little small in my adult hands. Flipping the barrel to the side in order to load and unload is a breeze and a guy could get really quick at the whole process if they wanted. I imagine if a dad bought this for their son back in the 1960s not only would the grip fit their hand great but I can picture them being very efficient at loading and unloading after a little practice. Especially since this gun is plain fun.
Did I forget to mention that? It is super fun and very unassuming. You’d think it would be boring being a single shot and it definitely has a feeling of “wish I didn’t have to keep loading this”. As far as holes in paper go the results are as follows. I shot four rounds of some cheap high-velocity lead Federal and was pretty surprised at this little guy’s accuracy. Typically when it comes to SAA clones I do not have the best luck on paper.
Final Thoughts: Savage Model 101
Man, it has been a trip getting to know a gun that was simply “on the list”. This was one of those commercial guns that was a pleasure to research because it brought out the thrill of the hunt in me. there was just enough meat on the make-believe bones that I could continue to chase and research. Along the way, I met like-minded folks like Garnett Stancil who has a book on the Savage Model 101 available. Overall it was a simple pleasure to learn about, share, and experience in the field. Snag one if you can!
- Bailey Brower, Jr’s Book: Savage Pistols
- Garnett Weldon Stancil, Jr’s Book: Savage Model 101 Single Shot Pistol. Here and here.
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics segment informed as well as entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We did not just realize how guns were supposed to look and function. It was a long and tedious process that has shaped the world we live in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm out there that you feel does not get much notoriety? What should our next Curious Relics topic cover? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
