I picked up a Savage 430 cheap a short time ago and have had some fun cleaning it up. Apparently they only made them from 1938 thru 1941. Since I never had any interest in O/U's I have no references to judge by, but the cocking mechanism is nothing I'd be proud of. The top lever cocks the action as the last step before the action opens and was apparently designed to develop muscle in one's thumb! It was almost a two hand job when I got it, but it has cleaned-up nicely and now cocks with an audible click, although that last half inch of throw is still pretty stiff. I think it would be tough to sell one in today's market and is probably why they went to an import.
I handled a Valmet the other day and it was much easier to open than the old 430. However, I felt the older weapon balanced a little better, but that was probably just me.
I don't know what I'm going to do with the old 430. I really don't want to make it a closet queen but its too heavy for an old guy like me to lug around and I don't shoot clays. But I've had fun going to school with it.
