Introducing the Revel Classic, a new lever-action 22 from Savage. Whether you hunt small game or like to plink at the range, the blend of old and new may make the Revel the perfect fit for you.
While I have never owned one for myself, I have always enjoyed a lever-action 22. It was this style of rifle that my uncle John used to teach me when I was first learning to shoot. I remember blazing through boxes of ammo and rummaging through the burn barrel, searching for more cans to eviscerate.
First Impressions Of the Savage Revel
The funny thing is that the first time I saw a Revel was when I picked up my loaner from the FFL. I never made it to the Savage booth at SHOT Show, and I guess I didn’t look it up when asked if I wanted to review one. All that to say, when I pulled it from the box, it was a true first impression, and my first thought was, “Dang, that’s a sharp-looking rifle”.
The black receiver and barrel offer a good contrast to the satin walnut stock. The wood furniture integrates subtle angles and ridges that transition seamlessly to the receiver. The oversized lever loop adds to the rugged appearance without being impractically large. I realize this is subjective, but many rifles with glossy finishes and shiny brass accents give off a drugstore cowboy vibe. In contrast, this rifle looks like it is made to be used.
General Overview
The Revel features an eighteen-inch parkerized barrel. I like that they chose a medium profile for the barrel because it gives the rifle just the right amount of heft out front. This makes it feel like you’re shooting something more than a Red Ryder, but not so much that it becomes cumbersome. The overall weight is 6.1 pounds, with the balance point about half an inch behind where the barrel meets the receiver.
The sights offer no frills, but they get the job done. The basic notch rear sight is adjustable for elevation (I found the lowest notch to be good for thirty yards). Thanks to a dovetail base, the front sight can be tapped side to side for windage adjustment.
A twelve-round tubular magazine feeds the rifle and operates the same as any tube-fed 22 I’ve ever used. The inner brass feeder tube seems well-made as it locks firmly into place and feeds the rounds smoothly.
The distance from the butt plate to trigger measures 14.25 inches. I mention this because the stock feels a little long. It’s not uncomfortable for me, but you may want to trim the stock if you plan to shoot this with your kid.
Features and Operation
One unique feature of the Revel is that it can be split in half by removing two self-retained pins. This could be useful for storage or more compact transportation. It’s a good idea, but I doubt I’ll use this feature for anything other than cleaning. Beyond not needing to break the rifle down for my uses, it offers potential for other issues.
Once disassembled, the bolt protrudes out the rear of the receiver with nothing to hold it there. With a little push, it will go back into the receiver and lock up as if ready to fire. The rifle can not be reassembled with the bolt closed, and with no lever to raise the locking tab you will have to poke around with pliers and a screw driver to lift the tab and push the bolt open. I learned this the hard way.
Another strange feature is that this rifle has a manual safety (a rare sight on lever guns). It is located at the rear of the receiver, just above the trigger. With the safety engaged you can not cock the hammer, release the hammer, or chamber a round. Honestly, I use this rifle the same as every other lever gun. After I chamber a round I lower the hammer to half cock and recock it when I’m ready to fire. I guess being able to put the rifle on safe at full cock reduces the risk of dropping the hammer while lowering it. That’s not much of a selling point for me, but I guess it’s there if you want it.
At The Range With the Revel
This rifle was a ton of fun at the range. I mostly shot from the bench, so I had no trouble making decent groups at thirty yards. I am happy with the accuracy, but I’m sure you could do even better if you utilized the drilled and tapped receiver to mount a scope.
The rifle ran flawlessly through the hundreds of rounds I shot. Not once did it bind up or fail to reliably feed the next round, no matter the brand of ammo I fed it.
READ MORE: The Best Retro Shotguns – You Can Still Buy
The trigger pull is long and does not have a distinct wall, but it is smooth and light. Overall, it’s not too bad. I broke out the trigger scale and found that the trigger consistently breaks right at two and a half pounds.
Savage Revel Final Thoughts
I think this is a great rifle. Both form and function meet my approval, and with a street price of $390, I think it is a great buy as well. It is almost time for me to send this rifle back to Savage, but I might just have to buy it from them instead.
Be sure to check out the Savage Arms website for more information on the Revel Classic or to find a dealer near you.
Read the full article here