Old vs New: Are there any advantages in utility and value?

I'm no expert or anything, but....

My fully soldered S-C is regulated much better than the ones I have with separate barrels. On the flip side, if you get a bad one with fully soldered barrels, there's nothing you can do about it. Whatever you are looking at, I'd see if you can fire a test group to check the regulation before plunking down money...

The F is really heavy.

Other than that, I think it all comes down to caliber choice, imo.

IMHO (I am no expert) however, I have recently conducted quite a bit of research into the Stevens/Savage history. It seems to me every time there was a change in ownership there were modifications done to firearms they manufactured. Some of the modifications were an improvement in their production. Most of the modifications were made to cut the cost of production. Especially with the 1964 purchase by the Emhart Corp.

I have two Mod 24s, one is a Mod 24 mfd in 1962. The other is a Mod 24S-D mfd in 1968 or 69. Both are 22lr over 410. Both function very well and shoot straight. But, the one mfd in 1962, IMO is a much better quality gun and will most certainly last a longer time without failure. The older one breaks open and closes more cleanly and tightly. The trigger function on the older one is much better and the frame itself seems more sound. The stock and forearm are of a better quality wood.

I gladly paid a higher price for older one than I was willing to pay for the S-D. Hope this helps, best wishes. David

Not to take away from anything texasbad said, but those 2 guns cannot be compared justly.

The weak point in all of the early guns was the slide button barrel selector. That was the reason Savage moved to the hammer selector. You can fairly easily convert the slide button to a hammer selector if you want to. The early model 24 and 24DL guns are fantastic as long as the barrel are regulated correctly and most were.

The 24S guns with the sidelever breech opening system were built by and meant for economy. They are the most radically different in design when compared the rest of the models. They did however have the same style brazed barrels as the others which makes for equally good shooting.

I have some great separated barrel 24C, 24D & 24FG as well. The biggest trick is getting one you like that shoots well.

Keep in mind that this is coming from someone who doesn't have an encyclopedic knowledge of or long experience with savage 24's, but if some of the separated barrel models regulate well and some don't, then logic would dictate that it's just a matter of finding the thing which is causing the poorly regulated models to be erratic and fixing it. From experience with other platforms, it can be something as simple as the tension on the barrel band screw. If you have time and the desire to do it, I dont see any reason why a non-performing model couldn't be brought up to snuff.

Spy, which model did u get? I would really like to find an older 22mag/20ga. I love both of mine, they make me feel 10 years old again every time we r in the woods looking for opporunities