A local Savage O/U collector bought one and had it shipped to my LGS. When I asked him about it later (I had a mild intrest in one) he told me the barrels are
very poorly regulated due to the front barrel block and it could not be easily adjusted. He is thinking about milling him a adjustable block for it.
He told me he was expecting that because once Savage went away from soldering the barrels together regulation went to shit though some early front blocks were able to be adjusted.
Not knowing any better I asked if a paracord wrap would help stiffen things a bit as long as it was left on and he told me that was the last thing you would want to do with it as it would make matters much worse.
Normally I sorta give second-hand info one of these (
) but this guy really knows his stuff as it concerns Savage O/Us and does not let collecting get in the way of shooting what he buys. He really wrings them out.