First Impressions: Star-Spangled Savage Rascal .22-Caliber Beginner's Rifle

The Savage Rascal .22-caliber beginner's rifle has been a hugely popular choice for beginning shooters since it was introduced a few years ago. With its single-shot capability, diminutive size and purpose-built safety features, the straight-shooting Rascal is a terrific choice for budding marksmen. Savage just announced the Rascal Red, White, & Blue model, dressed in an Old Glory camo pattern, making this the perfect fit for patriotic young shooters.

Six years ago, when we reviewed the very first Rascals to roll off the production line, this is what reviewer Glenn Gilbert had to say: "Apart from quality, the biggest difference between the Rascal and classic youth rifles lies in its safety features, namely that it has a safety lever rather than a cocking knob. In the old days, a cocking knob was one of the hallmark features of a youth gun. Decocking a gun without a safety lever was a risk gun enthusiasts had to live with and a skill every shooter had to learn. 

Sensibly, Savage gave the Rascal a bolt that cocks automatically when it opens and a manual thumb safety lever conveniently located on the side of the receiver just behind the bolt handle. Like a normal bolt rifle for adults, unloading it is simple. All the young shooter has to do is activate the safety by drawing back on the lever and open the bolt to extract the unfired round."

“It is our responsibility to help teach firearm safety to the next generation of American hunters and marksmen,” said Beth Shimanski, Director of Marketing for Savage Arms. “but that doesn’t mean the tools we use to teach can’t be fun. We’re proud of our American heritage and we’re showing that pride with these diminutive guns that are built to the same demanding standards as every other Savage.”

The Rascal teaches accuracy and safety with the same tools teachers use themselves. From its adjustable peep sights to Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger, the Rascal is every inch a Savage...just a few inches less than the usual. 

Savage tells us that these new Rascals will start shipping this August. MSRP $223; Find your local Savage dealer at https://savagearms.com/where.

FEATURES:

• Synthetic stock with American flag pattern
• Manual safety
• Unload without pulling the trigger
• Adjustable peep sights
• User-adjustable AccuTrigger
• Feed ramp
• Cocks by lifting bolt
• Carbon steel sporter barrel
• 11.5” length-of-pull