Would you shoot this?

From what's stamped on the barrel, that appears to be what my Winchester Bluebook calls the Winchester "classic" series manufactured from 1967 to 1970 for a total of 47,000 rifles. They came in either a 20 inch or a 26 inch octagon barrel length--only in 30-30. There were other octagon barreled rifles made in that period but they would have been marked as commemorative specific. As such, this gun was marketed to
shoot--just with a little more style than a common carbine.

Of course, my book is now 4 years old, so these values were from 2017. It ranked the gun in 100% condition (basically new in box) at $625--in 98% at $465, 95% at $300, 90% at $225. Using an inflation calculator---$465 from 2017 is worth $499 in 2021 and $300 is $321. Some people tend to think of the Bluebook prices as wholesale, but generally, I found that dealers only offer about 60% of those prices when buying and ask 130% and up when trying to sell.

Cheers

Shoot it a few times. It won't make a bit of difference.
My 1965 Winchester 94 still works perfect, making fools out of those who say the post 64s are the worst guns Winchester ever made. It just keeps on banging. Not many people here will keep on "Banging" after over 55 years in the field.

I believe you are correct! The wood is a higher grade also. I have the 26”. Now we know where 2 of the 47,000 are

In looking through my collection of Winchester catalogs, I just happened to have a copy of the one from 1970, so I scanned the page in. The two "classic" models are item numbers 4 and 5. It appears that one could also buy both as a matched set.



Enjoy

I say don’t shoot it and use it as an excuse to buy yourself another 94’ for a “shooter”...

If you don’t shoot it, you’re simply preserving it for the next owner that probably will shoot it.

Would you marry the most beautiful girl in school, then not sleep with her because you didn’t want to ruin her? I think not.

I’d shoot it, but wouldn’t drag it through the brush deer hunting. I had a Ducks Unlimited 870 that I used for pheasant, deer, ducks, geese, sporting clays. Everything. After maybe 25 deer seasons, it still looked nearly new. Shooting or even hunting with a gun doesn’t have to mean beating it up.

If I want to buy something to look at, I’ll buy a painting.

I'd shoot it.
Buy that's just me.

I’d shoot it even if it was a pre 64. Even if that rifle was worth 1500 bucks , it’s not but what would 1500 bucks get you these days anyway? I doubt it will make or break most people and if it does you don’t have any business buying rifles your not going to use. Enjoy that fine rifle.

Why buy a gun and not shoot it?
Would you buy a Corvette and not drive it?

shoot it. not really collectible so who cares if it is unfired. all it will be will be is an unfired noncollectible gun.

Id like to compare it to an old muscle car! Id keep it nice and well cared for, in a heated garage, but take it out on nice days to use it for what it was built for!

kidneyboy said:

Actually, I know several people who have done just that with Corvettes.
However, way back in post #31 I mentioned that when some ammo shows up I will get to shooting it.

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Okay, maybe a more pedestrian auto then say a Honda Accord?

While I have guns (including a '73 '94) I haven't gotten around to shooting yet it's not to preserve collector value. It's just because I have a lot of guns and don't shoot much. When I do shoot it's the guns that are easiest to clean.

Unless it's in unhandled condition with box, it isn't a collector, but a shooter. I'd shoot it.

Shoot it, clean it and protect it from rust. Take it hunting, if that's something you do with guns.

kidneyboy said:

5 shots at 50 yards. Assuming this hasn't been shot in 50+ years this looks pretty good.
View attachment 993871

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Very nice!!!

It's a real nice-looking rifle.

I'd shoot it with care and display it as the good historical example it is.......the first of the somewhat unjustly criticized post-64s.

Choott it Elizabeth