Stevens 325 / Savage 340 Bolt Ac

Stevens 325 and
Savage 340 Bolt Action Rifle

FIREARMS INFORMATION

In this article you will see "it appears", "I believe", 'I have found" etc. as there is very little documented information available for these models, some general, but nothing in what the depth that this article contains. With the modern "Smart Phones" or video cameras, you may see many "Documentary Videos" by aspiring producer Joe Smutts who have recently bought one of these guns, and try to do a documentary video about it and of course how accurate it is, but they have no clue as to anything other than what they have read by other "Joes", much of which could also have been corrupted. I have no problem with what they are trying to do, but please do their research first AND get it right.

One book, the 1984 version of Bolt Action Rifles by Frank de Haase, lists this make/model, HOWEVER he mentions that he will not cover the variations (YEP). This writer is well known for his excellent coverage of firearms, but the model he does pick here to illustrate this model appears to be a late 340 E in 222 Rem., therefore the small spring loaded extractor is not representative of the bulk of these models, as with the 30-30 which was the most popular with a "C" shaped stamped extractor and pivoted spring activated ejector.

In this article, I have tried to be as factual as possible, not only to help the gun owner, but to more positively identify these firearms for the unknowing poor modern gunsmith. My background is that I was a part time gunsmith since 1959, full time since 1974 and factory warranty for 8 major firearms manufacturers, including Savage from about 1985 until I shut my shop down in 1995. When I shut it down, I had 4 other full time gunsmiths plus myself, who, even though they went thru gunsmithing schools, but were pretty much still apprentices, and with the volume (3800 repairs a year) and quality of work we had, I could not give them all post-graduate training. We had way to many returned repairs, and it got to where I had to personally inspect every outgoing firearm, (and re-repair many of them after hours). I could not see any quick cure, so I shut the shop down and moved into manufacturing obsolete gun parts (which I had been doing part time for many years away).

I have been through the West Haven Savage factory numerous times (being a Warranty Repair Center for them), been friends with the sales and service personnel and have factory documentation on many items that is not available to even the normal gunsmithing trade. Through this association, I purchased much of the obsolete Savage factory tooling in1990 including that to make the magazines for these models, and the 30-30 extractors. I have a well worn, dog eared complete factory parts catalog with numerous notes penciled in. I have personally looked at, and documented MANY different rifles of this series over my gunsmithing/parts manufacturing career, then tried to couple this information to known manufacturing procedures as to when the factory would make a slight change, I try to evaluate why, (through observing manufacturing changes) therefore I may be off slightly on a thing or two, but probably more factual than any other information you will see out there.

Here, I have included information from many sources, some from written internet material that may not have been totally factual, so I may have either ignored or modified that as I saw fit. There also may be somewhat of a duplication of sporadic information here due to the length of time it has taken to compile this article (17 years) and I may not have re-read it in depth AGAIN, NUMEROUS TIMES to reconcile what I have here. However for some of this, it is about impossible to place information in a direct linage as to the different series of guns into manufacturing timing because of overlaps (I do try however). That is partly why an overlap of information will be found. Much of the information you see here is not available anywhere else in any location (if at all). So bear with me as I am still working on it, doing observations of personally owned guns or research at gun shows, gun shops or pawnshops, even from readers like you. One thing I found in this research is DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS, no matter how much you think that you are the expert, unless you can pretty well back it up with logic, or better yet proof.

Accurately dating these models using model suffix letters, and made before 1958 is about impossible. Even those made after 1958 and up to 1969 for guns with non-prefix serial numbers is iffy as no data is available. Those later guns with prefix serial numbers are the only ones that can be really dated, but by the year through factory information shown below. All serial numbers (if any) will be affixed by Federal Law to the receivers and NOT on the barrels. Other than that, educated guestimates are the only possible way to even get close which is by the model series suffix letters (which relate to possible even minor part changes). BUT there is no real recorded information documenting this, however by carefully going over factory illustrated parts list, helps, however so minutely by adding different parts of the puzzle. Therefore this is my ultimate goal with this article. I have documented a lot here, but need to observe MANY- MANY more guns before really trying to sort it out, but that may not even be possible in my lifetime.

One thing to keep in mind on any firearm that has used and survived as long as these, if you are a new owner, just because your gun may have something different than I list here (1) more than likely it could be a part that became broken and was replaced with a part off of a newer made model (currently available at that time). (2) Or it could be a transition gun with a carry over inventory part, (during manufacture assembly) from a earlier model.

In The Beginning, Enter the Stevens Model 325: After WW-2, Savage designed a whole new simpler rifle made with many stamped steel parts, which was soon (the next year) followed by the Remington model 721 using much of the same new manufacturing ideas learned during the wartime production of military armament. It would be entirely possible for there to have been a MOLE in either Savage or Remington's engineering departments as both companies seemed to be working along the same parallel lines at the same time. OR it is entirely possible, that just by machinists either moving, or in search of better wages, changed employers, which would also transfer methods of doing things, (I know this was true within the early auto industry, as I had a machinist friend who hand made Henry Ford's prototype hubcap for the model A).

At that time, Savage being the parent company, sold their more economical guns under their Stevens and then later under the Springfield brand name. This Stevens rifle sold for $38.70 when introduced.

It has been common practice in the firearm manufacturing industry if an improvement was made on an existing model, that a suffix letter was added to the original model number, Savage also followed this practice on this model. This gun introduced in 1947 as the model 325, was subsequently revised with models 325A, B and then the C before it was discontinued by Savage in late 1949 and improved which then became the better known Savage model 340. That relates to a lot of changes in about 2 1/2 years. There were a lot of changes made to improve manufacturing on this action. And as with common practice, suffix letters were added to the model at each change. Most of these changes were to the action.

The early 325 utilized a bolt guide, (having a small tab to the LR side of the bolt's locking lug) that rode in a longitudinal guide groove inside the receiver. This and the long ejector was dropped when the 325A small pivoted version ejector was adopted. The 325B change was in the trigger system, mainly the housing went from one pin in the front retaining the sear lever and acting as a rear magazine stop, to two pins and being the sear lever becoming shorter.

The bolt stop notch in the bottom of the bolt body was farther to the rear than the later model 340, so bolts will not interchange between models.

The one unique thing about these model 325 series of rifles was the barrel retaining nut. As far as I know, this method of securing a sporting rifle barrel was the first. The word is (but not confirmed) that they, (Savage) initially used machine gun barrels for this model that were left over from their sub-contractorship wartime production. And that's apparently where the now-standard Savage barrel retainer nut came from, since that application was common for military type machine guns that required readily and rapidly replaceable barrels in the field.

Some of their earlier pre-war models like the Savage model 23, 40, 45, and the 1920 all of which also used detachable magazines, however the magazines used for this new 325 model was a totally different design utilizing a new stamped out sheet steel design, somewhat following their existing bolt action shotgun design.

A brief description of these bolt action rifles consists of, a removable magazine fed, economical rifles were first marketed under the Stevens name, being introduced in 1947 and ran under that model number (with improvements identified by suffix letters to the model) until 1949. The model 325 was ONLY produced in the 30-30 caliber therefore the factory apparently saw no need to identify the magazine with any markings on it at that time. The companion model 322 series were made in 22 Hornet only, and again introduced in 1947, running parallel with the model 325. The 22 Hornet's magazines were a carry over from being used on their model 23D rifle which was manufactured from 1933 on when the model 322 came into being, and still until used on the 340 22 Hornet until that model were discontinued in 1985.

These rifles were designed to fit a nitch for an economical hunting rifle that would handle only cartridges in the lower 42,000 to 45,000 PSI range. The model 325 / 322 bolt handle was distinctive in that it somewhat copied the European Mannlicher butter-knife handle, seen by returning WW-2 GIs. The locking system comprised of the bolt handle as a partial safety lug, with the bolt head utilizing one forward locking lug and a top guide rib also known as a gas shield (to deflect any gasses away from the shooter in case of a ruptured cartridge case). This bolt head had a milled slot in the LH lower quarter to allow the ejector to clear the extractor and then eject the case at full rearward movement of the bolt.

The bolt is removed by opening the bolt, drawing it almost fully rearward and pulling the trigger to lower the sear which also acted as the bolt stop, (common with many 22 rimfire rifles) then pulling it (the bolt assembly) all the way out the rear of the receiver. The bolt assembly, which had the single locking lug and bolt handle being on the same plane allowed insertion into the slotted top receiver bridge like the European Mannlicher-Schoenauer (easier to manufacture). The extractor on both models was a stamped metal wrap around "C" type with the RH hook a deep dimple that was broached on the rear to form a sharp extraction surface, and the LH side a slight bearing pad to hold the rim.

The barrels were 22" long. The barreled action was held in the one-piece hardwood stock by a screw which entered the recoil lug on the front of the receiver, and a barrel band that was retained by a screw in the forearm. This method was a bit unorthodox in that the barrel and receiver were held in place, letting the rear section somewhat float, not very conducive to accuracy as was normally used, but these were close to medium range hunting guns AND before scopes were common. There was no rear receiver stock screw, but the rear trigger guard was held up by a wood screw in the same approximate location.

The breech bolt was made in two pieces, with the bolt head having a single locking top lug. The extractor was a stamped out wrap around C type. The bolt handle was pressed onto a horizontally knurled rear bolt body and retained onto the front bolt unit by a single 1/8" removable cross pin.

   A pivoting safety lever was conveniently located on the right side of the receiver behind the bolt handle. This safety lever also locked the bolt in place when the safety was on safe. The removable magazine was held in place in front of the trigger guard by a spring-loaded catch.

   The trigger appears to be a forged product, with the lower finger section of the part being slim and the front surface grooved.

   What contributed to keeping the cost down, is this rifle contained a number of stamped-steel parts, including the trigger guard, trigger housing mechanism, safety lever, magazine, magazine housing guides, barrel band and rear sight.   This type of construction was very conducive to lower manufacturing costs while yet maintaining relatively strong parts.

The stocks were one piece, made of hardwood (usually birch) and could have been lightly stained and an oil finish to appear the color of a light walnut, with a black Bakelite buttplate. They had no checkering or provisions for mounting a sling. It was, in the eyes of many gun enthusiasts, NOT a thing of beauty. The trigger guard/floor plate was a stamped sheet metal unit that had a section at the center of the magazine area radiused upward into the stock to form finger notches on both sides to facilitate grasping the magazine for removal. On these magazines were shallow horizontal grooves to also facilitate a grasping surface.

The stock in photo below of the model 325 gun, apparently has been stripped and refinished, but with no stain.

Stevens model 325

The original magazine for the model 325 (being 30-30) was a single column, 3 shot, stamped out removable unit made from two single sheets of metal forming the sides with the front/rear ends also separate, then all riveted together forming a box. There was a magazine release lever at the rear of the magazine well of the trigger guard. You will notice in the photos below the actual release "button" is riveted (swaged) horizontally to the rear guide spring.

Butter-knife bolt handle & birch wood of the original model 325	Here a Stevens 325C with what appears to be the original oiled stock finish and a Lyman 40 receiver rear sight

There were 2 different barrel mounted rear sights. The initial Model 325 appears to have first used one that was threaded into the top of the barrel like the early model 15, 22 single shots, which was also used on the 325A. The 325B and C appears to have used a regular stamped steel one which utilized the dovetail. However it appears that there may have been a transition where some Bs still have had the threaded on rear sight.

The later (325C) s were drilled and tapped for the Lyman 40 receiver sight as shown in the photo above on the right. This was an optional rear sight at that time, or could be added later by the owner with no modifications other than also removing the barrel mounted rear sight.

For the model 325, and up thru the 325C, the front sight ramps utilized 2 screws holding on the ramp on the barrel, and sported the front sight blade used on the model 99 at that time. If your 325 has a single one piece front sight and combo base, it very likely was replaced some time during it's life with the later 340 sight.

Front sight ramp & blade found on the 325

Also replacement rear sights are something that can be added later in the gun's life, and those would normally be made by Lyman or Marbles, so these would have not been factory, so do not use them as being any significance in trying to date the gun.

In the left hand photo below the sight blade is held in place by a screw into the barrel, you will also notice a small pin at the front end of the elevator slot, which holds the sight in position as to not be bumped sideways. Just for jollies this sight factory part number is #325-229, while the dovetailed sight for the B & C versions is #325B-229, however both these factory parts may be nearly impossible to find. The closest sight (using the same screw type attachment) for the early #325-229 would be for the 22 single shot model 15, being #15-229.

If you have the LATE series B or the C versions, aftermarket rear sights will fit the 3/8" dovetail. If your gun is the earlier screwed on sight, (which are no longer available) it may be best to take it to a gunsmith and have the screw location milled out to a standard 3/8" dovetail slot and purchase a aftermarket rear sight, or install a peep receiver sight.

OK, now may be the time for a short gunsmithing 101 on dovetailed sights (both front and rear). The barrel dovetail will be slightly tapered and the sight has to be driven in from the RH side, slightly tightening as it gets all the way in. TO REMOVE IT, drive it out from the LH side, using a 1/4" or 3/8" brass or Nylon drift, even a old toothbrush handle works (this type a drift will not mar the base as much as a steel drift). For front sights that use a screwed on ramp type base, a special sight pusher tool should be used that pushes the sight by cranking a screw in. This reduces the chance of knocking/stripping the base screws out.

Early (models 325 & 325A) screw retainer type rear sight	Late dovetailed 325B & 325C folded dovetail rear sight

In the LH photo below you see the original stock finish. In the RH photo you see the factory drilled/tapped peep (aperture) rear sight mounting holes for a 325C. NOTE - these are NOT scope mounting holes.

Here a good photo of a 325B that shows the newer ejector pivot location at the rear & NO peep mounting holes	Here a photo of a 325C showing the peep mounting holes

The barrel is slid into a metal recoil lug that abutted against the receiver front, being held in place by a barrel nut. The front action screw was threaded into the bottom of this recoil lug. The rear trigger guard wood screw was simply there to hold the rear of the trigger guard and was only screwed into the stock. The front barrel band screw screwed into a block that was attached to a thin sheet metal band around the barrel in the forward part of the forearm.

There was a gas relief hole on the front LH side of the receiver in line with the rear of the barrel/locking bolt front juncture.

The make/model and caliber designation was marked on the LH side of the receiver, where the barrels had no markings. If someone drills and taps these rifles for the later scope mounts, there will usually be no model or caliber designation showing as the scope base covers the markings up. You can also tell if it was drilled/tapped other than factory IF the holes go thru and deface any of the factory maker/model markings on the receiver side.

This gun was made with many metal stampings which set the guide for the design for the later to come Savage model 110. The plain barrel was threaded and chambered, then threaded into the receiver, rotating in until it properly headspaced, then being locked in place by the barrel nut. Then the barrel markings (if any) were then rolled on, and/or the sight slot cut and front sight holes drilled and tapped after the barrel was tightened down. This process greatly reduced skilled labor in manufacturing AND the assembly. Neither of the model 325 or 322 versions had provisions for a installing telescope sight mount. However the 325C (probably later in production) shows up with being drilled and tapped for a peep sight.

The extractors were stamped out/formed heat treated sheet steel. In the photos below you can see the wrapped around "C" extractor, which has a small hook on the RH side and a rounded rear section that holds the case rim in place until the ejector pushes it out at the rearward stroke through the groove you see on the lower RH side of the bolt. The LH photo below is of the 30-30, where the RH photo shows the model 322 in 22 Hornet which is very similar, but fits a smaller diameter bolt face. You will notice the ejector slot in the lower RH bolt face of both.

Bolt head showing extractor of model 325 30-30	Bolt head showing extractor of model 322 22 Hornet

Also on the early model 325 and 325As, the bolt head was made slightly different at the outside lower front (RH) corner. It had a slight feed lip guide built into the bolt face side. As time went by, the extractor could loose tension, leaving a mismatch between the extractor and bolt lip causing feeding problems of the cartridge rim to feed up under the extractor hook.

The extractor was then redesigned incorporating this lip into the extractor. This then required the bolt face to be altered to accept the newly redesigned extractor. So IF your early 325 needs a new extractor not to worry, just purchase the only style being currently made and alter the bolt face as shown in the photo below by the red arrow. If you look closely at the wide lip/hook area of the extractor in the photo below, you can see how much the upper wider part of the lip is recessed into the bolt face. This is the same amount of metal that WAS on the bottom. In cutting the lip off the bolt face, just use a Dremel tool with a part off stone and grind this lip down flush with the bolt face up to the slot for the extractor shank. If you don't cut this lip off, the new extractor will be riding on the outside of the old bolt lip, not allowing the extractor to move inward enough to pull the rim out of the chamber.

Fitting a new extractor to old style bolt

And the initial model 325 utilized a rather different style ejector #325-53 than commonly seen on most later guns, being a long sheet metal unit running from the front of the receiver back along side of the magazine well to the rear of the magazine area. The later models 325A, B and C used what would later became standard, was a smaller short wire spring-loaded pivoting ejector in the LH receiver at the rear of the magazine area.

In other words, the 325 CANNOT be readily retrofitted with a 325A, B or C OR a 340 bolt assembly.

In the photo below the LH side shows the 325 single long spring 30-30 ejector. This ejector also incorporated the front magazine guide and uses the regular guide hole as it's retainer. The center photo shows at the top the 30-30, (being the longest case) center a 222 and at the bottom the 22 hornet. Some of the later models, (the D in 222) and the 223 used a total different design, being a small dia. spring loaded plunger mounted in the LH side of the bolt face type, (as seen in the RH photo) similar to the Remington 721/722 of that time frame. The extractors for these plunger type ejector bolts used small captivated spring loaded extractors, these being the forerunner of the current model 110 type extractors.

For instructions on how to install these pivoting ejectors, go to my gunsmithing article on these firearms CLICK HERE.

Stevens 325 early long ejector #325-53	Stevens 325A & subsequent Savage 340 new style pivoting different caliber ejectors	340 bolt mounted plunger type ejector for 222 & 223

The 325C had numerous small changes in the trigger unit (the shape of the housing, different sear and sear lever), the top gas shield was also changed.

The firing pin was unique in that the rear was threaded to adjust the protrusion and locked into place by a “C” clip that slid over the square rear section of the rear part of the firing pin, locking it in forward/aft movement after the firing pin protrusion was set. This clip was captivated when the striker unit when assembled into the bolt body as seen in the photo below. Also you will notice the gas shield attached to the rear of the striker/cocking lug, that will be found on the later Savage 340B and later guns. Also the round blind hole on the rear base of the bolt handle was what the safety locked into securing the bolt when on safe.

Here, you can see part of the firing pin retainer clip being exposed in the bolt's cocking notch of a 340B

There are many invocative ideas on this gun that Remington apparently later copied/improved on when they made their model 721 which then evolved into the well known model 700.

The models 322 A, B, C and S were 22 Hornet caliber only and produced from 1947 to 1949 running parallel with the model 325. This smaller caliber rifle used the same basic receiver as the 30-30, but it sported a shorter ejection port, and they cut a smaller hole in the bottom for assorted magazine fittings to accommodate the smaller caliber, existing model 23D rifle magazine.

After a thorough investigation, I have concluded that originally the 30-30 magazines for the model 325 were derived from the model 58 410, 2 1/2" shotgun magazines, BUT by extending the front about .160". Over the years, I have seen a few of these rifles with this shotgun style magazine, where somehow they managed to stay with the rifle over the years but I was not sure as to the origin. These can be identified by the being plain unmarked, with the outer sides 1/2 a magazine, extending down and folded over lengthwise on the bottom, leaving a slightly open seam down the center of the bottom with the front and rear plates riveted into the sides (shown farther down in this article under magazines).

Magazine Changes Needed if Using 340 Magazines in All Model 325s : As mentioned above, the model 325 and thru the 325 C guns were made for the modified 410 shotgun magazines, which apparently had a deeper stop pad that the later 340 magazines. When installing new later or current replacement magazines, (remember they are made on different factory tooling). The receiver has recesses which act as a upper stop for the magazine, but the stop pad is taller on the new magazines. You may have to lightly file off the stop pads on the new magazines. These are the tabs that are protruding both front and rear corners of the magazine body. Not much is needed to be removed, about .025 on the front with .010 on the rear has been found to be sufficient. Otherwise the magazine will not go all the way up and it usually will get bound up by being twisted front to back and get bound against the front and rear guides.

Also for the model 325 only, which utilized the long side style ejector (not the A, B, or C series) you also need to do one more alteration. On the top LH front follower retainer dimple, you need to make about 2 passes with a file from the inner top to inward at a 45 degree angle, just breaking the sharp edge. You will need to press the follower down a bit (or remove it) when doing this. If you don't file this off, it may be hard to open the bolt after closing and it will swell the front sides of the magazine out a bit. What is happening is that the early #325-53 long ejector rides up into the slot in the bolt, and you have now forced it into the magazine opening. You may luck out if using older or used magazine that may be worn here enough to not bind. In the LR photo below, you can see the filed off shiny spot on the forward inside follower stop dimple.

Breaking edge of follower stop of 340 magazine used for the 325	Filing down the magazine stop pads
	photo coming

Enter the Savage 340 :

Here is a page copy of the 1951 Stoeger shooters bible

From all information available, the mother company Savage, dropped the Stevens model 325C at the end of 1949 and picked up the same basic (but improved) design in 1950, producing it under the renamed Savage model 340 which remained in production until 1985. In all of the factory advertisement, very little was mentioned as to model suffix letters (unless it was for the "S" Deluxe or the "V" 225 Varmiter). The suffix model numbers for the model 340 series did not match with the previous model 325 series, but started over as it appears the initial model 340 would have probably have been basically the older model 325C with the 340 design and caliber changes.

The major change in the receiver for the 222 was the whole magazine was moved forward about .200", removing metal from the bottom feed area of the receiver. It appears that this was to accommodate feeding for the shorter new 222 Remington cartridge, as the magazine latch on the rear would force the shorter 222 to not be guided by magazine feed ramps if they had to jump farther and these barrels do not have a coned feed guide into the chamber. The bolt stop notch on the bottom of the bolt was moved forward about .450".

These suffix letters are a letter added behind the model number on these guns when a design change was implemented, starting with A, and ending with E.

Therefore it appears that each time the factory made a significant change in the firearm, a suffix letter was added to the model number. To them in their normal advertising, a 340A, B, C, D, or E were all a model 340. That could be partly why when we who are trying to re-create the history many years later, we are running into many unanswered questions. Also, I have found numerous transition carryover of parts between the series, and this would be common in the industry when using up existing older parts inventory. Here, one person I corresponded with has a 340BC in 222 and made in Chicopee Falls. It appears the receiver was original roll marked as a 340B, but the C was hand stamped later, (probably on assembly) where they were using up earlier B inventory when the C series came into being.

And suffix model letters were only important in the spare parts department, or later gunsmiths needing parts (something the sales department was oblivious of at that time).

With the introduction of the 340, the bolt handle was changed to the more common round knob type. The handle's attachment to the rear bolt body was changed somewhere during production of the bolt handle being pressed onto a horizontally knurled rear bolt body was apparently later changed to being silver soldered on (OR a good gunsmithing repair on one that I saw).

The standard 340 stock was changed to plain uncheckered, oil finished walnut with no grip cap for the standard guns and the design was modernized somewhat toward the latter production years. The 340C initially sported a plain unstained oil finished walnut stock. Then as shown in a 1962 magazine advertisement, with white line grip cap and buttplate spacers. It is my guess that some changes in the stock of the C could have been done, leading up to when the D model came out.

Pressed checkering was used on some later models, essentially the late D and E series. And then by probably a mid 1960s production D series, with no checkering. I validate this as I have found a D series with serial number 191,46X (no prefix) that had a plain stock.

The Dockendorff rear sight was introduced with the 340 series and into the 340A series, then until about the time the 340B entered the scene, (I have seen a few 340Bs with them) the later guns used the regular 3/8" dovetailed type rear sights again. Also I have seen the front ramp sight residing on a 340 with the Dockendorff name impressed in it as seen in the RH photo below. All ramped front sights were attached using 2 screws and were brass beaded blades as compared to the square top of the 325. I have seen 340Bs using the front ramp with integral gold bead sight as seen below.

The magazine construction was changed from the Stevens 325 for the Savage 340 to a stamped out single sheet of steel, made like an open box, then formed and riveted together producing a simple secure box magazine. The method of securing the ends to the sides was covered under patent #2,630,175. The tooling required for this procedure was rather large complicated progressive punch press die doing 4 operations at once. But in the long run produced a better magazine as far as manufacturing was concerned.

Standard barrel lengths were 22" for the 30-30 and 22 Hornet, but 24" for the 222, 223 and 225. For a 22" barrel, the rifle's overall length will be about 40 3/8". The best way to measure a barrel length, is to close the bolt on an empty chamber and run a ramrod in from the muzzle until it stops at the bolt face. Mark this on the ramrod at the end of the muzzle. Now measure the ramrod to the mark, that will be your barrel length. I have not seen nor heard of special barrel lengths on this rifle (other than those listed), so if yours is different (usually shorter) someone has attacted it with a hacksaw.

The plain initial version of this gun sold for $42.95 with the 340S (deluxe) for $53.65 in 1951. In 1953 and 1954 the price was $48.75 for the standard, with the 340S (deluxe) for $60.45. In 1957 the price went up to $57.50. The 1961 price was $61.50. While the standard model being slightly cheaper than the Winchester model 94 which was at $49.95 at the same time.

In three of the photos below, you will see different 340 front sights, (depicting usage on different vintage, or models) all being held onto the barrel by 2 screws.

Dockendorff rear sight	Standard Dockendorff front sight

I have seen one of the "deluxe" Dockendorff front sights on a model 340, however it is impossible to tell if it was a special order at the time of purchase or a add on later. If the latter, it would have had to have been near the time frame as it was a new item to that company in 1950. However this particular sight was made for the 340 as seen by utilizing the same mounting screw spacings as the standard sight. But this sight company did not last for many years like it's competitors did.

"Deluxe" Dockendorff gold bead front sight

The Dockendorff sights seemed to disappear when the 340B came out. It appears that the factory then started producing their own sights at that time.

Here the gold bead front sight as found on a 340B & later series	Here the hooded front sight on the Deluxe versions

The "C" type wrap around extractors for the model 340 series were carried over from the Stevens model 325 and 322 but modified slightly by adding metal to the lower RH side to provide better feeding of the rim under the hook.

Initially the 340B in 222 Rem. used a very similar (if not the same or a slight modification of) "long C type" extractor as the 22 Hornet did, (we have a sample gun) then later (but unknown introduction, but probably the D series) went to the small hardened Beryllium Copper extractor (#340D-59H) fitted into a round hole in the outside (RH) of the bolt head front, using a thin flat spring retained by a cross-pin that the front end put tension on the extractor. The suspicion for changing this extractor was that over time, this C type extractor became ineffective, (and reloading was becoming popular if trying to soup the load up) causing extraction problems. And this was about the time the 223 came into being, and with that the 5.56 mm NATO round was loaded at a higher pressure level (62,000), where the older C type extractor would fail to extract.

In addition to this there was a new plunger style ejector installed in the back side of the bolt face. For this version, the old rear pivoted ejector was abandoned. The 223, since it came in later than the 222 used the then existing 222 system. In the RH photo below the extractor is visible opposite the ejector.

Bolt head showing extractor of model 325 & 340 30-30	Bolt head showing extractor for 22 Hornet & some early 222s	Bolt head showing extractor & new plunger style ejector for D sereies 222 & 223

The factory parts list shows that the 225 Winchester also used the same plunger style ejector as the 222 Remington. It lists (but with no illustration) a different type pivoted extractor, being .955" long with a hooked front and spring under the tail. Since this 225 cartridge uses the same basic rim as the 30-06 (.035" smaller than the 30-30), the 225 bolt head would have to have been made differently to accommodate these parts. Again, there seems to a strong kinship of this extractor to the Remington model 788 in 30-30 as seen in the photos below. ??

Now, I am making an observation as to why this change would have been made in the 222 and 225 instead of using the 30-30 style extractor. In my experimentation on my gunsmithing the 340 article I tried to reload to slightly higher velocities in my 25-35 as compared to reloading for a lever gun, but found that the C clip type extractor was the weak link. And in trying to remedy the situation, when measuring the 225 bolt head/extractor, there appears to not be enough metal on the bolt head for the recessed rim of the 225 to be opened up to accept the rim of the 30-30.

In the photos below you will see the difference of the 225 Win. bolt head as compared to the photos above. The extractor design/size for this 225 is pushing the limit as fitting in the bolt face AND yet having the extractor thick enough to be strong enough to hold up. It needed to be designed to be able to lock over the cartridge rim and yet have enough metal to allow the bolt assembly to slide inside the receiver freely. This extractor is pivoted just aft of it's midsection with a small coil spring under the tail.

The ejector is the same as for the 222/223 and it appears that it is in the same location as for the 222/223.

Bolt head showing extractor of model 340V 225 Win	Bolt head showing extractor for 340V 225 Win

In trying to decipher out parts from the factory parts lists can be challenging as one drawing can cover numerous models/series and many times with no illustration shown, just a note separately with part number and caliber. That is fine if you had the gun in front of you and were ordering parts. Then I have found mistakes there also. Do not get caught up in their application, but look at the part number suffix, which probably designates the series and/or caliber.

The 340 was made in 30-30, and 222 Remington (and later the 223 Remington), using the same receiver and most other common parts from the 30-30 other than magazine related. The 222 receiver had a smaller ejection port opening and magazine well cut out, with the rear magazine latch was moved forward .200" to accommodate the shorter, narrower magazine. The 222 magazine holding 4 rounds, was a scaled down version of the stamped out 30-30.

The 222 used a additional part, the baffle block #340-671 illustration #46, as seen in the illustration below. This appears to just be a filler in the lower rear receiver lug recess area. It is held in place by a screw from the lower outside (shown in the LH photo below). The name appears that it may be used to help divert any gasses from going down into the magazine well if there was a blown primer or separated case head. Apparently at the same time the gas relief hole was also relocated about a hole's distance lower as seen in this photo. It could also possibly help in any feeding problems into the chamber. The RH photo shows the actual baffle block in place. It is not really clear that all the 222s used this block, (especially the earlier versions) as with many factories, there were running changes as issues popped up.

Here is a 340B showing the baffle block retainer screw in the receiver below the gas port hole This photo shows the inserted block and the threaded screw hole that it is held in by

The trigger assembly is just that. It consists of a stamped out sheet metal U shaped housing that is screwed onto the bottom of the receiver by 2 screws. The front screw of this attachment also secures the rear magazine latch. Then all the internal parts, trigger, sear, sear cam, magazine stop along the sear and trigger springs are secured together in this unit by rivets, after it is screwed onto the receiver. The spring's function are a bit unorthodox.

Since it is an assembled unit, if you need to do any work on the trigger unit, some of the rivets need to be deheaded to facilitate removal. Any gunsmithing on these trigger units lowering the pull weight will have to be minimal, as the trigger sear notch engagement CANNOT be lessened much without creating a safety issue, because the safety lock (which was not sold separately permanently AND riveted to the trigger housing) has sloppy clearance into the top of the trigger slot corresponding to the trigger sear engagement. In other words if you decrease the trigger/sear engagement by lessening the trigger notch, you run a very serious chance the safety will not lock the trigger when the safety is place ON. I am not saying improvements can not be made, BUT you had better be DAMNED sure of what you are doing and the consider the consequences involved. Probably your best bet is to simply stone the sear/trigger engagement notches and live with the creep.

However if I were to try to adjust these triggers, my thoughts would be to make a simple U shaped sheet-metal clip that would slide over the lower rear of the trigger housing above the pivot pin, then drill and tap on one rear side (the trigger is split in the center for the spring) thread this clip for a SMALL machine screw so it would bear on the side of the rear of the trigger, giving you an adjustment for engagement. Then JB Weld this clip in place on the housing. This would allow you to play with it, while not having the hassle of unriveting and reassembling of the trigger unit and you would not ruin anything. BUT be careful of the safety lock issue as that is the limiting factor.

The safety lever had a small change by looking at the part numbers (that I have not identified yet) at the "B" series.

Savage also made a stamped out sheet-metal scope base/mount for this model. The one aftermarket scope base designed just for this gun was the side mount Weaver #1 base. Other scope mounts were made, another being Williams. When installing scopes on these rifles, they having to be side mounts because of the open rear receiver bridge, and the bolt handle passing through it, stock wood would have to be removed on the LH side of the stock to accommodate the scope mount. Later stocks used on factory tapped guns were lowered to accommodate scope mounts.

Early on, the factory did offer a deluxe version of this rifle, being the Models 340S and 342S (both were introduced in 1950 and ran until at least 1954), which featured better wood with cut checkering similar to what was common on the model 99 at that time, a Savage #175 peep rear sight, hooded gold bead front sight, drilled and tapped for peep and scope and sling swivels. Where the "S" suffix designation comes from is unknown, unless it had some reference to meaning "Special" at that time.

I have had numerous inquiries trying to pin down the exact date of manufacture. This is not possible UNLESS you can acquire the original sales receipt (but what are the odds with this happening at this date), but by reading this article and applying what you read, you may be able to come up with a guestimate to within a few years time frame. If that is not acceptable to you, - WELL SORRY - but that is the best I can do, as this article is probably your only source if information for these non prefix serial numbered guns. Do not try to date your gun by the condition of the metal or the color of the stock. Gunsmiths have for years been earning a living restoring/rebluing of firearms, some can reproduce original finish quite well where only an expert can tell the difference (if at all), while others fall woefully short. And the stocks can be refinished or replaced because of being broken. Sights can be removed or replaced by non standard ones.

In the exploded view below, the main difference is the bolt body and extractor/ejector system for the 222 and 223.

Exploded views of Savage 340B 30-30 or the 340D in 222 or 223. These are not part numbers, but reference numbers

Just for your information, all of Savage's part numbers have a code, with the firearm model number as the first set of numbers, a dash and then the actual part. All parts have a designated number. Number 229 is for rear sights, #219 is front sights, #77 would be firing pins, #59 extractors, #53 were ejectors and #142 magazines, where each part is identifiable using this system once you understood. If after a transition to improved versions, the same part and number, could carry through into later models, as there was no sense in changing part numbers of the same part for later different guns. Therefore you may well find 325 parts (or even bolt action 410 shotgun) used on 340 rifles, like the trigger assembly, trigger guard screws, etc. Also some parts, usually extractors and magazine assemblies were identified by a suffix letter.

In this numbering system, also was a designation for caliber. As a sample, H represented 222 Remington. M = 223 Remington and C= 30-30, all calibers and gauges had their own letter code. Here a 325/340, in 30-30 would have been #325-59C. Toward the early 1990s all parts went to a computerized 9 digit number with a prefix letter, as an example P3250059C0 for a model 340 extractor in 30-30 caliber. If the prefix was an A then that represented an assembly (like a magazine), if it was an P that indicated a part, while S indicated a replacement kit. Here a 340, 30-30 magazine assembly would have been A340-142C or the later A14200142C.

Personal Observation : There appear to not be any readily accessible records (if any) for these models prior to 1958, and from there to prior to the Gun Control Act of 1968, when ALL firearms required special identifying serial numbers. And dates for many of these slight model variations are unknown. Also do not try to date a firearm by the rear sight. These are one thing that is sold by aftermarket companies like Lyman or Marbles which are things that some hunters prefer different styles so are probably the first thing changed on a gun.

As far as we can tell by observation, the original model 340 was not factory drilled and tapped for a side mount scope base. However the 2 peep holes on the far LH receiver would have been carried over from the Stevens 325C with the 340's introduction in 1950. I have seen photos of a 340A being drilled and tapped for scope mounts which has all the indications of being factory, which in all probability was indeed a 340S, or was possibly a late A, or a transition B, as most Bs appear to be drilled and tapped for scope .

However the "Deluxe" 340S in 222 (actually the deluxe 340) versions were drilled and tapped for scopes before the later 30-30s in the B series entered the scene. One way to tell if it was drilled and tapped outside of the factory, USUALLY the gunsmith had no choice of where to drill, so the holes will go through the factory make/model stampings.

From my research, I find that the 30-30 nor 22 Hornet were not drilled and tapped for the side mount scope, where the 222 was. It is not clear when they started tapping the standard 30-30 340 series for scope, but probably late in the production. It also appears that later the designated model 342 in 22 Hornet was changed to just the 340, and then the caliber. I suspect this was coinciding with the introduction of the 222, where they instead of coming up with a different model for the 222 that they simply used the caliber for identification purposes.

My observations are that the caliber stampings were moved to the barrel when the 340B was introduced, as compared to it being on the receiver along with the make and model of the earlier Springfield 325 and Savage 340As. I have seen one 340A at a gunshow that did not have the gas shield on the cocking piece. However I have a reader who supplied photos of his 340A that show no caliber marking on the receiver, but on the barrel, and it has the gas shield of the later B guns. It also has the 30-30 caliber stamped on the barrel, but used the word CALIBRE which is over-stamped and by hand, so apparently it is a transition 340A/340B gun using an earlier 340A receiver. It also had the Dockendorf rear sight. All this tells me that during this transition period, old parts were used up and you may find many combinations. The misspelled CALIBRE roll may have been set aside as a backup roll which could be used if the correct one broke, and before a new good one could be made.

Later during the D series, the maker and address was also moved to the LH side of the barrel

It appears the peep sight holes may not have been discontinued until way late in the production as shown in a photo below of a Springfield 840, where it still has the peep mounting holes. However I have seen one 840 with no peep holes so this seems to have been about the end of the peep holes.

In the photos below, it is hard to tell the true story behind these photos, as this rifle receiver was a factory 340 model, with a hand stamped A suffix. It also has the apparent proper checkering for the "S" Deluxe version. It is in very good condition for it's age and appears to be the original blueing. It sports the Dockendorf rear sight, but is missing the peep sight. So it is either a very early S series OR someone tried to restore it, not knowing it needed the peep, or both. Maybe even a transition or a special order gun ??

UPDATE on another almost identical firearm. This gun's information was sent to me by a reader, who's uncle bought it new in 1950 and swears nothing was done to it during his ownership, other than shooting it. It has 3 of the 4 identifying "S" configurations, the checked walnut stock, gold bead front sight and the sling swivel eyes. The only difference than the one described above is there was no suffix to the model number. My guess on this one is that it was possibly one of the first "S" series and before they finalized exactly what would ultimately be included in the deluxe version. However I have never seen, or heard of a Deluxe series 340 stamped with the "S" suffix. Therefore, the "S" designation could for the Deluxe guns was a IN HOUSE catalog designation only.

Here is a 340S (Deluxe) checkered stock on a 340A This shows the forearm checkering of the 340S

This stock is NOT a factory Deluxe, NOR a Custom stock,
but a owner "enhanced" one

There is some misinformation as for Savage/Stevens date codes out on at least one internet Forum, OR people do not read completely, and jump to a conclusion. Here is what I copied "Dating with the Savage Date Codes 1949 – 1970 -- From sometime in 1949 through 1970, Savage Arms and Stevens stamped a date code on almost all firearms. On Savage 99’s it is on the front of the lever above the serial number, and is a letter inside an oval stamp preceded by 1 or 2 numbers. The numbers indicate the inspector, and the letter indicates the year. This date code is on 99’s only from 1949 to 1970, and is always preceded by numbers. In 1949 the date code was A, and it increased each year skipping O and Q. A few 1971 rifles have a Y stamp, but most rifles in 1971 don’t have one. Many consider these date codes more accurate than using serial number ranges, though we’ve seen some odd examples."

And on one of the gun forums a response to my non prefix serial number question, there was supposed to be a barrel date code for the Chicopee Falls guns. Yes, there are a circle with one or two numbers and a letter stamped on the rear LH side (usually) immediately in front to the receiver. However many of the 340 barrels that I have looked at have two of these marks with different numbers/letters. Examples are 5F, 6C, 8E, 21S, 24S,26U, 33U. One 325 barrel has a slightly larger, looks like a backward 3, but probably a just tilted 8 stamp. These multiple marks would be indicative to me that they are NOT date codes, but assembly inspectors marks. If it was a date code, then why the second different marks on the same barrel? One of these guns with markings was a 340V, which was made later at the Westfield Mass plant.

As mentioned previously, all serial numbers (if any) will be affixed by Federal Law to the receivers and readily readable and NOT under the wood OR on the barrels. You may see some of these rifles with a serial number that do not contain a prefix letter. After looking at, and corresponding with gun owners who can validate date of purchase/ownership, it seems the possible explanation would be that Savage DID start serial numbering the 340 series (at an unknown model suffix letter, but probably a 340C) as early as LATE 1950ish (validated by the Chicopee Falls address). Serial numbers with NO PREFIX that I CAN VERIFY are listed in the table below. I have not located any 340Bs with a non prefixed serial number.

Now a reader of this article, (James Bardwell of Cheyenne Wyoming) while doing more research informed me that by regulations issued under the predecessor Federal Firearms Act, serial numbers were required on commercially made centerfire rifles and handguns as of July 1, 1958. This regulation did not require serial numbers for .22 rimfire rifles or shotguns, and a number of manufacturers (including Savage) did not use them for some economy models of all of their rimfire rifles or shotguns until the 1968 GCA required ALL commercially made firearms to have a separate and individual serial number.

Now to solidify some of this non prefix serial numbers that I have observed. I have corresponded with a owner of a 340C, Chicopee Falls, Mass. gun with a serial number of 109,XXX make and model on the receiver with factory scope mount drilling that he says was purchased used in 1964 when he was 15 years old. If that is the case, then the Savage factory very likely DID start serial numbering the 340s prior to the 1968 gun control law date. But we don't know at what number the factory may have started these numbers. I have also corresponded with a 340C owner who has serial number104,8XX.

NOTE, it was common for firearm manufacturers in those days to NOT start a model serial number sequence at #1, sometimes 1,000 or possibly 10,000 or even 100,000 as to not share production information to their competitors as to the numbers being produced. And from the above 109,XXX serial number would indicate that possibly they did start at the 100,000 number, where this gun would have been a year old (using factory production data) and have a actual number off the assembly line possibly late 1959, and that being #9,XXX. Validating that guestimate, the other gun listed below, and being 104,XXX could have been about 6 months older.

So we will assume that non prefixed serial numbers actually started July 1, 1958. What is unclear is at what model suffix letter this serial numbering started or ended, but my best guess would be possibly near mid run of the 340C. Then if it has Chicopee Falls, Mass. address, the gun had to have been made before 1960, again validating the guestimate.

Initially it seems the non prefixed serial numbers were stamped on the RH front receiver ring, later it was moved to the center LH side of the receiver, where if scoped it would have been covered up. Then again later to the front LH side of the receiver ring.

Documented NON PREFIX serial numbers

104,XXX	340C 222 Rem (Chicopee Falls)
104,88X	340C 30-30 (Chicopee Falls)
109,XXX	340C 30-30
176,7XX	340V 225 Win (introduced mid 1960s)
191,46X	340D 222 Rem
218,0XX	840 222 Rem (Western Field 712)
238,XXX	340C 222 Rem (Coast to Coast 843-2DS)
243,9XX	340D 222 Rem
246,27X	340C 30-30

Again as mentioned above, by US Federal Law, all rifles needed a serial numbered as of July 1 of 1958. So we can assume that the non prefixed guns were made from mid 1958 up to when the Gun Control Act of 1968 required a individual serial number (no duplicates). Savage complied with this by numbering their guns as they came off th4e assembly line. Winchester added a prefix letter to each serial number to identify each model. Therefore if you Savage 340 has a serial number WITHOUT A PREFIX, that means that it was made after July 1 of 1958. If it HAS A PREFIX, it would have to be made from January 1,1969 and up to when that model was discontinued in 1985.

Savage did not have separate MODEL DEPENDENT serial numbers even after 1968, but ran all the models/calibers that came off the assembly line consecutively. Serial numbers were the last factory operation and done after the gun was assembled and blued. So a Model 99 gun could have the next number as a model 340 rifle or model 94 shotgun, just depending on the order they left the assembly line that day.

However word was that the serial numbers were usually assigned in lots relating to the number of guns contained in a shipping case. After the CCA of1968, Savage serial numbers would use the prefix letter and the firearms individual number up to 999,999, then it started over using the next alphabetical prefix letter. The factory published a listing of serial numbers at the beginning of each year for use by their warranty centers, which this chart below is an example of that I acquired from Savage as a Warranty Center.

YEAR OF SAVAGE MANUFACTURE

Other than stated above and above, if you are trying to date your granddads rifle, the only method would be a SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess). You may contact the Savage Collectors Assn, send them some money to research it, but I would guess since there appears to not be model changes or serial numbers recorded, you would have to give a COMPLETE description AND some good close-up photos AND then they would still only be able to guess, as we have no dates of when the suffix MODEL numbers.

From my observation, it appears that the 340, 340A and 340B were not long lived models, where many "BUGS" seem to be worked out, whereas the 340C had a much longer production run.

If and when I do enough up close and personal exposure to more actual guns to where I can be a lot surer than I am now, as to close to possible dates of suffix changes, again we will have to accept just a SWAG. I want to thank those readers who have, AND CAN supply good photos and/or known dates of purchase with suffix model of non prefixed serial numbered 340 guns.

Savage 340

Somewhere between the model 340A and the B it appears that the front of the bolt body ejector slot was changed replacing the front gas shield clip was the same as the rear one piece clip of the model 325 around the front bolt body, eliminating a weak area. This long ejector slot in the bolt seemed to be a carry-over from the 325 and was not needed when using the new style of pivoting spring operated ejector.

I have seen two 340s that had an A hand stamped behind the factory 340, indicating again using up earlier parts after a parts change was introduced. Now I have also seen a 340A with a hand stamped B behind the existing factory A. This would probably have been among the first Bs, utilizing the pre-roll marked make/model 340A receiver, which would have been ran until they were used up.

I have also been in correspondence with a owner of a 340BC in 222 Remington, again the last model letter was hand stamped. This one still used the older wrap around style extractor. In the photo below you can see factory scope mount holes, which in my mind may have been the beginning of that on the 222s (not sure of the 30-30s however).

Savage 340 BC 222, & made in Chicopee Falls (prior to 1960)

It APPEARS that most of the series model letters were in alphabetical order when a new change was made in production, and NOT in direct collation to variations or specific models, (like a C representing a carbine, or E representing magazine ejector as many may think), however possibly just a coincidence. I have documentation that at least some "Cs" had 22' barrels. The E model series appears to end (discontinued) at the "E" series, however there is an "S" and "V" thrown into the mix earlier than when the E series came out. It also APPEARS that there was no long range documented planning as to model suffix series designations in relationship to manufacturing changes. So if engineers / management personnel changed, so did the plan, or lack of it. Therefore as mentioned above, confusion may exist until it can be clarified, IF EVER.

By checking factory parts lists, the cocking piece cap was introduced with the 340B. The factory name and caliber was moved from the receiver to the barrel sometime during the C series.

There were some shorter barreled (18.5") guns made and designated as carbines. But if you look at the photo above of the 1951 Stoeger catalog, the factory at that time called all of these guns carbines, mainly because of their size. And this 18.5" carbine barrel length did not come out until another 11 years. I have not found any real suffix letters specifically assigned to the carbines. Of the carbines that I have seen, they all were in the C series but I believe the C did not indicate carbine, again just a coincidence. As I have documentation of a 340C 30-30 with 22" barrel. However I did see a factory add for the carbine listing it as a 340C. I did find a NRA Rifleman page dated November of 1962 announcing the new 340C carbine, and somewhere else that carbine production was from 1962 to 1964. Remember barrel length is measured from the bolt face to the muzzle, not just to the front of the receiver.

The bolt handles were changed again late in production, about the time the "C" came into production, being swept rearward slightly. Some late bolt knobs were even knurled in the center (at the largest dia. using a 5/32" wide band of knurling).

And in all my observation, I have not seen any caliber other than 222 Rem in any Savage 340D guns. There may be 30-30s in the D series, and if any reader has one, please contact me.

Again, do not get the "E" as referring to the new design of magazine ejector series, as it was way more common for the factory to use descending letters to coincide with model changes than variations. There is possibly one exception here, probably the last model the "V" series used on their Varminter series which was the then new 225 Winchester.

The Gun Traders Guide does not show the "D" series, but the factory parts book does, and only in 222 Remington which apparently had a short life. It still uses the finger grooved floorplate for grasping the magazine as sequenced by the suffix letter prior to the magazine ejector "E" version. In the photo below, you will notice that all the lettering AND caliber designations are roll stamped on the barrel, leaving the receiver for the serial numbering.

It is beginning to be my belief that this D series was when the factory introduced the new plunger style ejector and corresponding extractor for the 222 and then carried over in the E series for the 223. OK, maybe not totally, but transitioned or possibly a carry over using the hornet extractor verified from parts list showing the plunger ejector #340D-53H, as the D on this part number should indicate the D series and the H refers to the 22 Hornet caliber. ???

Savage 340 series D in 222 Rem.

In the photo above, the rear sight is a typical late Savage sight, being the dovetailed long tang, but having the blade being able to fold down if need be to clear a scope end bell. In this photo the elevator is missing however.

In the photo below, you will see the differences in the 222/223 action on top, and the 30-30 shown on the bottom. The top is now a 223, being made up of parts (including the barrel), but probably a LATE "C" or possibly D version in the B301,XXX serial number range, as it has no provision for the pivoted ejector and uses the plungered style ejector. Note the moved forward rear magazine latch on the upper gun and the bulkier sintered metal trigger which apparently was nickel plated as they were so oil impressed that blueing them was impossible. The bottom action is a model 340 in 30-30 as evidenced by the magazine latch configuration and no gas shield on the cocking knob

You will notice on the three photos below, the one visible difference in the receivers of the different calibers, being the ejection port opening, longer for the 30-30, smaller for the 222/223 and smaller yet for the 22 Hornet.

Visible differences in the Savage 222/223 Rem & the 30-30, with the
30-30 on the bottom.

These Savage guns were produced in 22 Hornet, 222 Remington, with the 223 Remington, and 225 Winchester following that last calibers inception sometime after 1964. I have not been able to document the exact date of the 222 being introduced, but very likely in late 1952 as I have seen a magazine add mentioning it as new for 1953, and as this cartridge was introduced by Remington in 1950, and since Savage had this model already in production it was simpler to design a new magazine for this caliber and make few alterations to the rifle, getting it out close behind the Remington rifle.

The 340V was made in 225 Winchester and was produced in the mid 1960s but sales were slow, and I have viewed only one in the late E series, but it was not very popular, which could have been one of the clean up assemblies. The model 342 and 342S were 22 Hornets only, and were the newer versions of the older Stevens model 322. The 342 in was produced from 1950 to 1955. Probably it's demise was the popularity of the new 222 Rem.

Savage 342 series in 22 Hornet

In an apparent effort to boost sales in the mid 1970s, the factory did some slight redesigning of the basic rifle. The Model 340E was born with a impressed checkered walnut stock, along with a more economical companion Springfield Model 840. In the factory parts manual, it lists the 840 as series E, with the only difference between it and the 340E being the birch stock and a #3-229 rear sight with uses the stepped elevator. However the mass merchandisers versions of this 840 could have had the old 340C finger groove cut out in the stock.

The 340E series had a flat floorplate and for the 30-30 and 225 uses a internal 1/2 round shaped spring that straddles the magazine on both sides and has short ears on the spring ends that engage notches in the upper section of the magazine that "eject' the magazine as compared to finger grooves in the floorplate where you can grasp the magazine. When this E series was introduced and using the new magazine ejector spring, the magazine dies were altered by deepening the notch at the juncture of the rear feed lips and the main body. This existing notch was deepened by about 1/16" to allow this new spring to rest deeper and out of the way in this deepened notch. Upon depressing the rear magazine latch, the magazine was supposedly ejected from the floorplate without having to grasp it in the finger groove area that was cut out of the earlier stocks. The late Es had no peep mounting holes.

I have seen three photos of the 222 in the E series and it does also have the flat floorplate, (one s/n C229,53X), but they appear to not have any magazine ejection system as used in the 30-30, so suspect the magazine is loose enough in the guides that it just falls out when the release lever is pushed. One had plain wood, but not sure if original. Another had pressed checkering.

The 22 Hornet in whatever model always used it's own style flat floorplate because the Hornet magazine had side lips holding the bottom on, which facilitated magazine removal. And they used the existing model 23 magazine.

In the photo below showing the model 340E you can see the flat floorplate and the newer sweptback bolt handle among with the pressed checkering on the walnut stock. Most E series have also observed using a Lyman folding rear sight.

An apparent late (pressed checkering) Savage 340 series E 30-30 side view

This series, in addition to the flat floorplate also had a slightly enlarged trigger guard, moreso at the rear part.

Savage 340 E series showing the floorplate/trigger guard and magazine in the gun.

   These used a slightly different magazine release lever and both ran parallel with each other being available in 222 Rem, 223 Rem. and 30-30. I have seen one 840 in 222 that had non castellated barrel nut, s/n centered LH side receiver, make, model and caliber stamped on barrel, RS stamped with narrow sheet steel elevator, and the stock cut low for scope with a high comb stock. These Savage 340E, and Springfield 840 were the last models produced.

   The factory ceased production of all the 340 series rifles in 1983, although rifles were assembled from parts on hand and were carried in the catalog until 1985.

   It appears the 340 E series came in two different stocks, probably depending on the vintage. We see numerous ones with the flat floorplate (peculiar to the E series) with a semi-gloss plain finished walnut stock. Then we see others with with a high finish walnut stock with pressed checkered white line spacers. The thought here is the plain wood seen in the photo below is an earlier version.

An early (plain wood) Savage 340 E series showing the letter S on the safety lever

   The barrel retainer nut configuration has changed over time, from the early radiused multi grooved nut, to the late smooth nut utilizing one 1/4" blind hole which a special spanner wrench was needed if removal was required. This had to happen somewhere along the line near the end of the series E production. I suspect this was a running change and when the castigated nuts were used up the round ones (less work to make) began being used.

The E series magazine ejector spring

photo to follow

A companion economy "E" series was introduced as the Springfield Model 840 as seen in the photo below, which featured a plain, uncheckered, stained birch stock and a simple stamped steel rear sight. The basic differences between it and the E series was the stock, and rear sights which reverted back to the ones used on the 340B.

The Springfield model 840 also utilized the 340E floorplate & magazine ejector

For a Link to Exploded Parts : CLICK HERE

Mass Merchandiser Sales : Many of the major retail stores started selling these guns after WW 2, but under their own name and model numbers, Sears being model 101-53521 & 101-53527, Montgomery Wards the model 712, J.C. Penny model 6400, Western Auto 101.53521, and Coast to Coast model 843. Also these were also sold in Canada by Canadian Industries Limited as the CIL Model 830. Most of these firearms used hardwood (birch wood) which could have had minimal pressed checkering. These guns could have had their own serial numbers outside of the Savage numbering and probably even before 1968. And by the Federal law, if a firearms dealer quits selling firearms, they have to relinquish their records to BATF, so there is no real way to gather any of this information today. I can not find a definite date these major retailers ceased carrying theses guns, (and in all likelihood, not at the same time frames) but as close as we can find, 1962 for Sears.

Also on these mass merchandiser guns, some my not follow the model numbering pattern as seen in a Coast to Coast model 843 we have, which should have been basically a Springfield 840, (using the Savage 340E magazine ejector spring) where this gun does not use it, but the finger grooved stock for grasping the magazine, so it had to be a 340C birch stocked gun. Which tells me again the factory found a way to utilize existing obsolete parts.

If you have one of these guns and desire to cross-reference to the factory equivalent CLICK HERE.

Also from 1963 to 1981, Savage had a marketing agreement with Anschutz where you may see markings of "Savage-Anschutz" if sold in the US, or "Anschutz-Savage" if sold in Europe. Two models that can be traced are Anschutz name made on Sako actions in 22 Hornet and 222 Remington. Of these it appears that they used standard Savage 340 22 Hornet and 222 magazines. The 22 Hornet was model 1432. I am not sure the model for the 222, possibly the same just a different caliber designation. This model came with deluxe wood, rollover cheek-piece, skip-line checkering, white line butt-plate and grip cap with a schnabble forend. The receiver was grooved and drilled/tapped for scope. It also was iron sighted with a hooded ramp front sight.

Scoping the 325 / 340 : As far as we can tell, NONE of the model 325 or 322 guns, or the very early 340s were factory drilled and tapped for a side mount scope base, which very likely may have been implemented in the 340A or early Bs. Drilling and tapping for a peep sight will be found on all the earlier guns and would have preceded any scope mount drilling/tapping.

Savage also later made a stamped out sheet-metal scope base/mount for the 340 series, which would also be used for the earlier 325 model if gunsmith drilled and tapped to accept it. When installing scopes on these rifles, they having to be side mounts because of the split rear receiver design and will have to be gunsmith drilled and tapped as a side mount to accommodate the Weaver #1 base. And the stock will need to be relieved to accommodate this base once it is screwed onto the receiver.

For the Savage made mount, it was a stamped 3 piece sheet metal scope mount (base and 2 one half rings) that was thin enough to be able to be inserted in a shallow recess between the receiver and the outer part of the stock of some stocks as seen in the photos below. You will not find any markings on this mount as it was only sold by Savage and during later production, it was included with the new gun.

Early on, Weaver did also make stamped out "N" mounts, but at that time 3/4" and 7/8" scope tubes were common sizes, with 1" coming in slightly later. These were basically what Savage later copied for their 1" mounts, using Weaver's hole spacing. Weaver's detachable side mounts came in later with both 7/8" and 1" rings.

Savage #40 stamped out sheet metal scope mount	Rear end view of Savage scope mount

The early Weaver side mount scope rings were made differently than later ones, whereas the rings themselves were not removable from the top assembly. The scope ring assembly was removable from the base, but not the individual rings themselves off the top assembly (being split) as compared to removable in modern times. In the RH photo below, you will also note that since these are side mount, where they have to overhang enough to align the scope to the bore of the rifle.

In those days scopes were not Nitrogen filled, and since the rings on these mounts were permanently located in position, the scope had to be disassembled, (either removal of the eyepiece, and sometimes even the turret assembly), slid into the rings to get in/or to somewhat adjust for eye relief, and then reassembled. Yes, fogging was common, I have starting out on a cold morning, using a Weaver K2.5, stopped and unscrewed the eyepiece, allowing the scope's internal temperature to equal the outside temperature before reassembling the scope to begin my hunt. This worked fine the rest of the day as both inside and outside temperatures were slow to adjust together.

Here the old Weaver detachable standard side mount & #1 base for this model.	NOTE the rings are "slit rings" & not removable like the new style

The photo below, with this model being 340, (having no suffix) AND it being drilled and tapped for scope (in somewhat proper location), with the stock wood being cut out for the scope mount tells me that this gun was altered (drilled and tapped) for scope use after leaving the factory. In this photo, you can see the 4 scope mounting holes for a side mount and the appropriate stock cut out. Factory mount cut-outs did not have square cuts in the stock. Also the 2 rear holes are for mounting a receiver (peep) sight are factory holes. The single round hole between the scope mounting holes and the peep holes is where the ejector unit is pivoted into (buried under the wood). The metal on top of the bolt is a bolt guide, as the top of the receiver is split for the bolt handle base to slide thru. This rib is also seen on the top. You will also note the peep holes tapped.

With these side mounts on this model, for the scope to properly be centered over the bore, the wood has to be cut on the earlier guns that did not have the lower stock line. Many not so knowledgably gunschmits did not understand this and just laid the scope base on top of the wood, which rotated the scope farther to gain a scope truly over the bore. You will be advised that in those days gunsmiths did not have access to scope mount drilling jigs which accommodates the barreled action and somewhat guarantees proper alignment. In these early days a gunsmith would clamp the base to the receiver, laying out his desired location. Drill and tap one end hole, that would be enough to temporarily install the scope, then align the scope to the bore by looking down the bore/scope, (bores-scopes were not readily available then), mark another hole (usually on the other end), and drill and tap that. If everything then looked OK, drill the others. IF NOT, then do some slight altering of the base holes so the other last 2 would make things come into place. Then lastly elongate the second hole to allow that screw to be secured down along with all the others. The problem with this model, the receiver was round, not having a flat bottom as a reference to square to. And drill presses in those days were not as rigid as today's ones or milling machines are.

The wood of the later versions especially the E series was made lower at the area where the scope mount attached so that there was no need to alter the wood to install a scope mount on these guns.

Here a model 340 with left side of the receiver showing holes low enough to save the lettering, but requiring a cut out in the stock for the scope base

In the photo below, these scope mount holes are pretty well placed in the proper location, but obviously non factory because of the defacing of the lettering. These early guns also had the caliber stamped on the receiver, so in mounting a scope the caliber markings were also covered up. The later (340B) guns moved the caliber marking to the barrel.

Here a model 340B with left side of the receiver showing markings drilled through lettering

In the photo below, you will notice the Weaver scope mount rings protrude considerably forward from the base. This set of rings are the "long" version made to accommodate the later longer eye relief scopes. The standard rings are the same length as the base and in many cases do not provide for enough room on the scope to achieve proper eye relief because of restrictions of the placement of the turret mountings.

Here a model 840 with Weaver (long) detachable side mounts & wood cut to match the base. The hole in the receiver in front of the base is a gas escape hole

In the photo below, you will note the numerous cross slots so that the scope can be adjusted more to fit the shooters eye and the eye relief of the scope.

Here a B-Square base designed for the 340, which uses regular Weaver style top mount rings

The only thing I have been able to identify different from the 340 and the 340A (which they as seem to not be made in any abundance as I have only seen a couple) is that the magazine latch protrusion was changed from the riveted thin metal finger piece to the actual spring metal being formed rearward, creating a better surface to push. However we see a lot of 340B series, which utilized a cocking piece cap and a one piece front bolt guide clip (officially called a gas shield).

The 340C apparently was essentially a deluxe 340 which had checkering, sling swivels and came with a peep rear sight. It was made during the mid 1960s. ???? Where I got this information, I am not sure and it does not make sense unless the author was looking at a single owner enhanced gun.

The last of the series, the 340E series was also made under the Springfield name as an 840E. As mentioned above, these models in 30-30 caliber dropped the finger groove notch in the trigger guard/floor plate unit which now was flat with the bottom of the stock. There was a big C shaped wire spring inside the stock magazine well that straddled the magazine and was caught into the notches at the front of the magazine feed lips. To facilitate this these notches had to be made deeper to give the spring it’s end clearance. In operation, when you depressed the rear magazine latch, this spring ejected the magazine.

One word of information here, IF you have this E model in 30-30 and happen to find a magazine assembly for the older 340 models that does not have this extra deep notch cut out, it will not function as designed. This also pertains to the 840 series guns, you will have to deepen these notches to within .100 of the bottom of the embossed groove on the side of the magazine. This amounts to lowering them about .100.

The E series may have also been made in the other calibers of that timeframe, but did not utilize the spring ejector magazine system that the 30-30 used.

Also somewhere in the late made guns the bolt guide rib (gas shield) on top of the bolt was changed to black plastic instead of steel.

Here a standard 340 in 30-30 showing the 340 bolt handle & walnut wood,
note the magazine latch protrusion is the same as the model 325

Here a 340A in 30-30 showing the new style magazine latch

Safety Lever Lock Changed on Later Model 340 & 840 : A factory letter dated 3-28-1976 states - “For convenience in use of our Models 340 and 840, a change in the bolt handle was made during 1976. The safety, in the ON position, no longer locks the bolt handle, enabling the shooter to remove a round from the chamber without changing the position of the safety.” Looks like the corporate lawyers got paid for being on retainer on this one. You will notice on the above factory quote, they do not mention any Suffix lettering on the 340 which at that time likely would have been C.

As a side note here, all of these models, (325 and 340s) originally had this safety/bolt lock. But it was a rather weak design and over time MANY of the bolt/safety recess got chipped or broken enough so that the bolt lock feature became inoperative.

Magazines : Below are the magazines used on the respective calibers. The 30-30 and 325 rifles used the same style magazines and have a capacity of 3 rounds, then with one in the chamber giving the gun a capacity of 4 rounds. These magazines have transitioned with many changes during the lifespan of these models. Nowhere on ANY of these magazines is the makers name embossed. Note the serrations on the later versions for the magazine removal at the finger gripping area. The 30-30 follower is beveled at the rear for the rim to feed over on the last round and to guarantee all the rounds are positioned the same as they come up for chambering. The rear imprinted dimple grooves hold the rims back in the box under recoil and the forward grooves help position the round sideways with the more pronounced but deeper indent actually guides the case into the chamber.

It is becoming my confirmed belief that the early model 325 guns (in 30-30) used a modified version of the model 58, 2 1/2" 410 shotgun magazine that was in existence at that time. Initially when seeing these 50 to 60 years after production, in or with the 325 rifles, I thought it was just a coincidence and that they were indeed the 2 1/2" shotgun magazine, but upon looking farther, the shotgun magazine is .160" shorter than the 30-30 magazine. However with the 325 only being in production for 2 years before the 340 took over, this is starting to make sense and maybe the magazine that we now know being used for the 30-30 did not enter the field until when the 340 took over in 1950. This makes more sense in that the original modified shotgun magazine could have been used while production got underway and proved it was a viable enterprise, allowing them to then take the time to make a complete dedicated tooling for the newer magazine die. To trace the sample magazines we have accumulated, some of the early 340 30-30 magazines had no markings at all, then apparently soon after, they were marked PAT. APPL. FOR on the rear end panel. The next magazine this panel was marked PAT. NO 2,630,175. In looking this number up in the Patent Office it was applied for 12-24-1949, which coincides with the implementation of the model 340 in early 1950. For more patent information CLICK HERE.

These dies are extensive, and heavy (300# plus each) large multi station progressive dies used in a 35 ton punch press, plus additional smaller partial and final form then rivet dies in 15 ton presses. This undertaking was an engineering, tool and die makers nightmare at that time (I know, as I bought them surplus from Savage in1990 and have done extensive repairs to them, selling many thousands of finished magazines, before retiring and selling the business to my son in 2003).

In the photos below showing the model 58 shotgun style magazine, it was not made as a laid out box and folded, but a 2 sided folded over bottom 1/2 way with the ends riveted in as seem in the LH photo below. This magazine obviously was a modified model 58 410, to function with the 30-30 ammo by lengthening it about .160", which you will notice in the RH photo below, the top being the 2 1/2" 410 magazine and the bottom one in the photo being the early 325 magazine. These also have what are many think as cartridge viewing holes in the sides of the boxes. Well maybe, but in all probability, more likely fixture holes to hold the sides together in a riveting fixture.

You will notice that the feed lips, notches in front of the lips, front and rear panels and the side embossing are all exactly the same, just the front was lengthened. This would have been comparatively easy since they already had the blanking and embossing dies, by just modifying the blanking and front riveting die.

Here the 325 rifle with the original early magazine	Top magazine is the 2 1/2" 410, while the bottom is the early 30-30

Here In the photo below we see a transition of the model 325 and 340 30-30 magazines. Notice the two LH magazine bottoms are folded over with a slight gap between. All the rest are made from a one piece "laid out box" and folded on all four sides.

Here we see starting on the left, the model 58 410 magazine, the 325, the 340 PAT APPL FOR, the 340 Patent #, and the final 340 30-30 magazines on the right.

It seems the magazines used in the 340s the box itself stayed pretty constant while the embossing and stamped on information went through many changes. It was stamped out sheet steel as in a opened box then folded/riveted together. The material thickness decreased on the later ones, to .032", and the rim retainer dimple groove was different than later magazines as seen below. The naked box with no writing at all and no finger grooves. The follower could have been blued and the rear angle to allow the rim to lay flat was shallower and longer forward than the later ones. In the magazine with the patent numbers on the rear panel, it also has the caliber (30-30 CAL-A) stamped on the bottom.

In the photo below, you see the 400#, 4 position, progressive magazine forming/blanking die in a 35 ton punch press. In use the steel strip is purchased in 200# coils and loaded onto a uncoiling cart. It is fed in from the RH side of the die until it hits a stop latch. The operator steps on the trip release and the heavy rotating flywheel engages a teeth on the gear, tripping the punch to do the first operation. At this moment it also trips the stop, resetting it for the next operation, allowing the steel to be moved to the left for the second operation. This sequence repeats for 4 operations, each adding another blanking or impressing on the metal. On the last operation the blanked out part drops out the bottom.

There are numerous other second operations using 15 ton punch presses, of which consisting bending it into a partially closed box, and the last to closing the box and riveting igt together. All of these dies and operations have to be precise otherwise you have a lot of rejects.

Here you see the 4 position progressive magazine die in a 35 ton punch press

photo to follow

In the photo below, the forward dimple is deeper at the top, creating sort of a ramp forcing the 30-30 cartridge shoulder up for better feeding. Also notice the deep nitch at the front edge of the feed lips, which is there only for the "E" series, flat floor plate, auto eject magazine, ejection spring ears to hook into.

Here the original naked stamped out 340 magazine	Here the latest version 340 magazine with the liability embossing

Most people generally think the magazines function interchangeably with both the 325 Stevens and the 340 Savage for the same calibers. This may not be the case as explained above where the 340 30-30 magazines may need modifications to match the upper stops of the 325 magazine as explained above. Or, to rectify this CLICK HERE for the gunsmithing article addressing this issue. Early model 325 and 340 30-30 caliber magazines had no markings at all on them as seen in the above photo. Then came Patent applied for, after that they had a patent number on the rear endplate along with 30-30 Caliber stamped on the bottom. Somewhere in the production the word FRONT was stamped on the RH side. Then the caliber markings were placed on the front RH side. Lastly the markings were moved to the RH rear containing a liability warning.

I also have a Savage 340 222 Remington magazine that has PAT. NO 2,630,175 (same # as for the 30-30) stamped on the rear panel. With the above patent information on the 30-30 magazine, which the patent being granted March of 1953, and probably the year the 222 came out, these magazines being similar but smaller than the 30-30 required another complete set of stamping/blanking dies which coincides with my estimated 222 date of introduction. This magazine has stamped on the bottom "CAL 222 REM".

The magazines shown below lists both the 30-30 and the 225 calibers. It is not known when the liability marking was placed on them, but obviously the 225 markings were placed in the stamping dies after that caliber was introduced by Winchester, probably somewhere near 1964 or 65, so the thinking would be both were done at the same time because the stamping die is all in one for this.

Note on the center photo below the narrow deep notch on top about 3/4" from the rear. This is the deepened notch referred to previously that the "E" series utilized for it's magazine ejector spring to fit in to. On the older magazines the notch is there but not quite as deep as all the later magazines. All current magazines are made with this deeper notch to accommodate all models.

Savage 340, 30-30 bottom view	Savage 340, 30-30/ 225 Win side view	Savage 340, 30-30 top/follower view

The 222 and 223 magazines have a capacity of 5 rounds which use a indetented shoulder groove. This groove is placed differently for each caliber. We once tried to make a combo where both calibers were stamped on a 223 case, but feeding for the 222 was erratic. The original factory magazines used a flat follower that again caused somewhat erratic feeding problems. Then we happened to contact an ex factory assistant service manager who informed us that he made a slight bend in the forward part of the follower on guns that came back for warranty. We have now made a special forming fixture to do just that as seen below.

You may encounter different stamping of calibers along with patent dates on these 222 and 223 magazines. After Wisner's purchased the factory dies in 1990 to make these in our own shop, we found that setup was critical in the stamping as the 2 calibers shared a master die, but with different inserts used to change the shoulder dimple. This then also required shimming of the insets to emboss the caliber stamping. In doing this it was trial and error with the 12" X 26", 300 pound die needed to be removed, disassembled, and stamp shimmed for each trial. We soon had a new stamp made that placed this caliber on the bottom. So if you see a 222 or 223 magazine with those calibers on the bottom, it came off our dies. I even for a single batch run stamped both 222 and 223 on a 223 box, but I found the lower rounds of the 222 slid forward at firing of the upper rounds, creating feeding problems for the 3rd and 4th round.

We also encountered feeding problems with both these two calibers, and after talking with a old factory service manager, we redesigned the follower so the front portion was raised somewhat supporting the bullet better on the infeed into the chamber as seen in the RH photos below. This initially ranged from simply hand bending it, then on to intensive experimentation as to the height and position of this front shelf for proper feeding of both the 222 and the 223, then building a special forming die. Finally .075' was found to be the best height.

Savage 340, 223 bottom view	Savage 340, 223 side view	Savage 340, 223 top/follower view

Notice the different location of the shoulder dimple between the 222 and the 223. The 222 shoulder dimple is farther to the rear.

Savage 340, 222 bottom view	Savage 340, 222 side view	Savage 340, 222 top/follower view

About 2012 Wisners Inc added a capitol "S" to the bottom of the 30-30, 222 and 223 magazines indicating Savage.

This 22 Hornet magazine was first used in the Savage model 23D. Then when the 322/342s came along Savage simply utilized that existing magazine on this model also. So you may see some early magazines marked Savage 23D and the caliber. Later magazines used on the 342 ultimately had the 23D markings eliminated off the bottom and just had the 22 Hornet caliber imprint as seem below.

Savage 340, 22 Hornet bottom view	Savage 340, 22 Hornet side view	Savage 340, 22 Hornet top/follower view

Trigger Assemblies : Now for those of you who may have taken your trigger assembly apart (NOT RECOMMENDED) OR are assembling a gun from parts, shown below is a photo of the trigger group from the rear showing the relationship of the trigger and sear springs. All of the pins are riveted over on the outside of the trigger housing, creating an issue if you disassemble it. Each of these springs are retained by a pin in the center loop with the short lower tail resting on the respective part, but with the longer tail bearing on the above part or against the steel housing/receiver if the sear spring.

Here is a photo of the trigger group rear, showing the relationship of the trigger & sear springs

On the factory schematics for the 325, 340 and 342, these triggers may show the same numbers, (meaning the same parts) BUT I have found on some of the EARLY 325s (especially the long ejector model) that the sear is different. On the 340s the rear of the sear is split allowing a space for a small wire torsion spring to place tension off the rear of the receiver and onto the sear. These early 325s do not have that slot nor the corresponding spring. The design here uses one of the trigger spring's tails to put tension on the front of the sear. They seem to function without it, but my guess is that this later sear spring was introduced as a extra safety measure to hold the sear in place IF someone lightened the trigger spring trying to decrease trigger pull.

And, since these rifles have been discontinued for MANY years, whereby replacement pats have pretty well dried up however.

The trigger assemblies are pretty much the same for the 325. 340 and the 342s, but spare parts availability has dried up considerably. About the only place to locate any of these parts would be https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ or on https://www.gunbroker.com/ . Gunparts Corp bought out the final spare parts inventory when Savage closed that line out, BUT they do not have ALL the parts. Gunbroker has a section in their listings for "Gun Parts", here you may from time to time find used parts for these models listed, even complete parts except the receiver. But be prepared to bid high on these parts kits. .

Here is a photo comparing the 340 on the left & the 325 on the right, rear sear spring -- or lack of

Barrel Lugs : Barrel lug configuration changed over time. The early ones were stamped out of 5/16"" sheet metal. Later ones shown on the right below, were simply machined from bar stock. The early ones used a small detent lug on the bottom rear of the barrel hole, which aligned into a recess in the front of the receiver. The later ones eliminated this alignment lug. These have a 1/4" X 28 threaded hole in the bottom center for the front trigger guard screw to attach the gun to the stock.

Therefore with the newer wider lug, if using a older stock or a new semi-inletted stock, you may have to cut this recess wider in the stock to accommodate the wider lug.

Here is a photo comparing the old & new style barrel lugs

One last comment, IF YOU HAVE GUNSMITHING THOUGHTS OF CHANGING CALIBERS, STAY WITHIN THE DESIGN CONFIGURATIONS, by this I mean don't try to make a 30-30 into a 223. It has been done, I am sure, BUT in recent years, spare parts have diminished considerably, and (Gun Parts Corp) is the only source being that they purchased all the remaining factory inventory after these guns became obsolete, which much has now been depleted. The 30-30 could be easily converted by rebarreling to 25-35, 32 Win Special or 7X30 Waters (anything within reason based on the 30-30 case even possibly the 38-55). Converting the 222 to 223 would be a simple rechamber job (and using a new 223 magazine), or rebarrel to 6mm-223, 7mm TCU, both which, or anything that would function through existing magazines (with slight possible modifications).

If you need to take the bolt apart or do any repairs, I suggest you go to my gunsmithing the 340 article where I deal with issues other than history.

I am sorry if I have you now confused with so much information, and there is a lot more research yet to come, that may translate into more info/changes.

If you have one of these guns that I have not identified AND can give me pertinent info with photos substantiating it I would like to hear from you.`

The author does not have any source of parts for any of the firearms listed above

Originated 12-01-2006, Last modified 04-13-2023
Contact the author

Here is a 340B showing the baffle block retainer screw in the receiver below the gas port hole	This photo shows the inserted block and the threaded screw hole that it is held in by

Here is a 340S (Deluxe) checkered stock on a 340A	This shows the forearm checkering of the 340S