Savage 64 .22 LR
Model: 40203
Savage 64 .22 LR
Model: 40203
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Savage 64 is a blowback-operated .22 LR semi-auto built around a 21" barrel and a detachable 10-round box magazine. Made in Canada and priced at the entry tier, it's the kind of rifle you don't worry about getting muddy. The synthetic stock and matte blued receiver are utilitarian; Savage put the budget into the barrel, which most owners report shoots about as well as the Marlin Model 60 with mid-grade ammo.
The 64's known weakness is its factory magazines. Early production runs and cheaper aftermarket options have documented feed-lip wear that causes misfeeds after moderate round counts. The Savage 64 uses Savage's own 10-round detachable magazine — aftermarket high-capacity options are limited, so the factory-spec mag is the most reliable choice. At 80 oz with a 40.5" overall length, it's a full-sized rifle — heavier than the Marlin Model 60 and longer than a 10/22 Carbine. Buy it if you want an entry-tier plinker that will spend more time in the back seat than the gun safe. Skip it if you want a .22 LR with deep aftermarket support and decades of parts availability — the Ruger 10/22 Carbine costs more but has vastly better long-term ecosystem support.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Among the lowest-priced detachable-magazine .22 LR semi-autos currently in production — the entry tier where the 10/22 Carbine and Marlin Model 60 don't compete
- 21" carbon steel barrel with 1:16" twist runs standard 40gr .22 LR well and produces decent velocity for its price class
- Simple blowback action with a cross-bolt safety — straightforward enough for new shooters to learn on without complex controls
- Factory magazine feed lips wear prematurely on some production runs — and aftermarket high-capacity Savage 64 magazine options are limited, so the factory-spec mag is the most reliable choice
- No optic rail and no threaded barrel from the factory — adding either requires aftermarket parts that can match or exceed the rifle's purchase price
Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
I heard the Savage 64 has feeding problems. Is that accurate?
Yes, and it's the most commonly documented complaint about the 64. The issue is specifically with feed-lip wear on the factory 10-round magazines — after several hundred rounds, the lips deform enough to cause misfeeds or nose-dives. The rifle itself is not the culprit. Unlike the Ruger 10/22, the Savage 64 does not have a major aftermarket magazine ecosystem to fall back on — the factory Savage 10-round mag is the most reliable option, so plan on owning a few spares.
Can I add a scope to the Savage 64?
The standard 64 does not have a built-in optic rail — it uses iron sights only. You can add a Weaver or Picatinny rail by replacing the rear sight dovetail or using a receiver-mounted clamp rail designed for the 64. Once a scope is mounted, the rifle is a reasonable 50-75 yard plinker, though the unspecified factory trigger limits fine accuracy work.
