SAVAGE ARMS 111

Overview

The Savage Model 111 is part of the venerable Savage Model 110 family of bolt-action rifles. To understand the history of the Model 111, it's essential to first look at the history of the Model 110 itself:The Savage Model 110 was designed in 1958 by Nicholas L. Brewer, an engineer at Savage Arms.It was introduced with the goal of creating a strong, safe, lightweight, and affordable bolt-action rifle for hunters.The initial retail price of $109.95 inspired its model number.The first chamberings were in popular long-action cartridges: .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester.A significant early achievement was in 1959 when Savage introduced a left-handed version of the Model 110, making it the first major firearms manufacturer to produce a left-handed bolt-action rifle in volume.Also in 1959, a short-action version was introduced, chambered for cartridges like .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester.Key Design Innovations of the Early Model 110:Brewer's design focused on simplifying manufacturing to keep costs down. The bolt, for example, was made of several easily manufactured parts.The Model 110 featured a dual-opposing lug bolt and a bolt handle that acted as a third safety lug when closed.An innovative threaded barrel nut system allowed for precise headspace control during assembly, contributing to the rifle's accuracy.The original safety was a three-position tang safety.Evolution and the Emergence of the Model 111Over the decades, the Model 110 platform underwent various changes and spawned numerous variants.In 1966, the design was altered to improve performance and reduce production costs. This included a new adjustable trigger and a plunger-type ejector. Detachable box magazines and hinged floorplates were also introduced.During a period of financial difficulty in the late 1980s, Savage streamlined its product line to focus on the basic Model 110. This decision proved crucial for the company's survival and eventual resurgence.In 1998, Savage re-engineered the short-action Model 110, leading to a new model numbering scheme. The short-action models became the Model 10, while the long-action models retained the Model 110 designation.The Savage Model 111:Following the 1998 re-designation, the Savage Model 111 became known as one of the long-action variants within the broader Model 110 family.The Model 111 was often positioned as a "Hunter" model, typically featuring a blued carbon steel barrel and an inexpensive wooden or synthetic stock to maintain affordability.It was offered in various long-action calibers suitable for big game hunting, such as .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, and .300 Winchester Magnum.In 2003, a significant upgrade to the entire Model 110 series, including the Model 111, was the introduction of the AccuTrigger. This user-adjustable trigger system addressed a common criticism of earlier Savage triggers and greatly improved the rifle's accuracy potential and user satisfaction.Later, Savage also introduced the AccuStock, featuring a rigid chassis system embedded in the stock for enhanced accuracy and stability, which was incorporated into some Model 111 variants.