Even though I'm a big Savage fan I have to agree with you Glenn.
I can't figure out why Savage would want to market these guns. As you said the M-40 was originally supposed to be offered in 223,204 and 22 Hornet. Then they figured out the action was not strong enough.
![duh :duh:](./images/smilies/duh.gif)
so they dropped the 223 and 204. Why bother upgrading that action to handle the 223,204?
Savage already has a great factory action in the 12 series. Interchangeable parts and strong enough to shoot almost anything out of it. Why push this new action? What is supposed to be the upside?
And then theres the missing barrel nut.
Why buy a Savage thats stuck in its original state when you can buy a different model that is caliber interchangeable, cheaper, stronger, lighter and has a good deal of after market parts available? Screwing on custom barrels at whim is a great marketing strategy even if it came about by accident.
Calling this thing a lightweight at 8.25lbs is a pretty dumb marketing strategy.
Savage has really been trying some innovative things lately but this gun makes no sense to me.