My son Michael, 12, shot his first deer, a 100lb. button buck, two weeks ago in Alabama. That magical moment in a young man's life was abruptly interrupted by an AD (accidental discharge) from my 1995 Savage 116 .270 in LH action. Michael has been taught the 10 commandments of gun safety since he was a boy and as I watched him safe his new H&R Youth Handi Rifle in .223 I glowed in the feeling of the day. I handed him my Mag lite and he watched me safe my rifle prior to climbing down from the tree stand. I had the rifle butt sitting on the bench between my legs. The barrel was pointing towards the 4x4 upright in a safe direction. As Michael watched me move the Safety Tang from Cold to Hot the rifle discharged. We were both a little stunned from the moment but completely understanding of what had just happened. We shouted (not much hearing left) and confirmed that my left thumb was the only thing that moved on that rifle's action. The Savage safing procedure for unchambering a live round is unique to say the least. I explained the story to the NW FL Savage Dealer when we got home after talking to the Savage Factory. Since the original owner had had a trigger job performed Savage wanted the rifle back for a full blow diagnostics. My rifle is now at the Savage factory undergoing teardown and diagnostics. I have cringed after reading some of the stories on this forum about Father and Son hunting accidents. Practice the 10 commandents of gun safety so that ALL of us can enjoy our birthright for generations to come. After a career of flying gunships for the Army and handling weapons I can say without hesitation that all it takes is once...Good Habits are hard to break. Teach your children well...

Well said.

Had my .257 Roberts go off once, when getting ready to unload and put in the truck.

Discovered at that point, it would now go off about half the time if you put the safety on then flipped it back off.

Fortunately, pointed away from myself and the other hunter, and in a remote area, hope the bullet didn't cause any harm when it came down.

Can't be too careful. Got that trigger fixed!!!!

sjpi - I'm glad you're okay! The problems not unique to Savage though, a now former hunting partner had a Rem 700 ADL that you had to unload by working the action with the saftey off! Unknown to him the trigger was depressed by his ornate belt buckle and when he closed the action the rifle discharged sending the 180 gr core-lokt into the ground between my feet! Suffice it to say that my underwear almost needed changing!! I'm a fanatic now about where everyone's muzzle is pointing. CEJ... Just remembered, my dad's M77 unloads the same way. That's going to the gunsmith tomorrow..

All my M77's have hinged floorplates to unload the magazine. 'Course, the one in the chamber would still need ejection by the bolt.

sjpi
Actually sir you are incorrect as the 110-116 series rifles have an intermediate position that keeps the rifle on safe so you can unload it ! :rolleyes: Three positions- Safe /safe unload and fire. Obviously who ever did the trigger work also made the trigger to lite in pull. The Minimum Savage recomends for the 110-116 series is 1lb pull anything else your creating an unsafe gun! To little sear engagement and you can fire the rifle by just bumping it-been there done that-I had to prove the therory for myself, but not with a live round . Thankfully niether you or your son was injured! :D

sjpi
Actually sir you are incorrect as the 110-116 series rifles have an intermediate position that keeps the rifle on safe so you can unload it ! :rolleyes: Three positions- Safe /safe unload and fire. Obviously who ever did the trigger work also made the trigger to lite in pull. The Minimum Savage recomends for the 110-116 series is 1lb pull anything else your creating an unsafe gun! To little sear engagement and you can fire the rifle by just bumping it-been there done that-I had to prove the therory for myself, but not with a live round . Thankfully niether you or your son was injured! :D
OK,
I love a good healthy discussion and due to the potentially lethal nature of the incident I would hope that you would re-read my post and see where you and I are saying the same thing, albiet worded differently. I am NOT incorrect.

STEP ONE in the Savage 116 Owners Manual States that the Owner, with a LIVE round in the chamber, intending to remove said live round, will MOVE the Safety Tang from the Safe to the Fire position.
Step TWO Move the Bolt handle UP
Step THREE Move the Safety Tang from the Fire position back to the Safe Position
Step Four Move the Bolt Handle to the Down/Locked position and watch the Safety Tang move the Intermediate/No Fire position which is HALF RED.
Step 5 Move Bolt Handle UP, back, and eject live cartridge.

I NEVER got past the first step when the weapon discharged.
For what it is worth I spoke on the assumption that Savage would fix my rifle. I was wrong. Savage management decided to NOT touch my rifle due to the fact that is was made in May of 1995. Any weapon made prior to Nov of 1995 is persona non-grata at Savage...Old Management vs. New Management.
The Savage Dealer was humiliated and refunded my purchase. I believe he dropped the Savage lineup that day.
Savage admitted they had a procedure to fix this problem in their 'Old Management' Long Action rifles and would be glad to fax a copy to any gunsmith.
Thanks for the reply and I do have a new bolt action Weatherby in 30-06. So far so good....
JP