.351 1907 Winchester- Good buy at $600?

[.455_Hunter]

The LGS has a 1907 Winchester in .351 for $600. The gun is all original (correct butt plate, original sights, no drilling or tapping), and come with the standard 5 rd magazine. The condition is VG, showing "honest" wear, but no signs of abuse.

I have always had a soft spot for the Wild Bunch/Poncha Villa/Prohibition type guns and this would fit the bill. Looks like Buffalo Arms makes runs of .351 Win at about $33/20, which would at least let you try it out for a reasonable price.

What do you folks think?

 

[Sunray]

There are a couple on Gunbroker in similar or better condition at a bit more money. One mag at $75 too. .351 SL starts at $27 at Buffalo. Buy the dies etc. I have data if you need it. Buffalo makes a 180 grain copper coated cast bullet.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I have really enjoyed mine. For the weight of the bullet and the low speed it is still a very accurate round. The main thing to be wary of is allowing your first finger to slide over the front of the forearm (it is a pretty short weapon) because the charging rod crown will bite your finger when you pull the trigger..........

 

[.455_Hunter]

I looked at it again. Perfect bore, and serial dates to 1915.

The only marring is that the front sight base is "dinged" on both sides from being adjusted in the dovetail with an inappropriate tool.

Action is nice and tight.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Buy it. It's a piece of history that will never be made again. Yes, it's heavy, but it's built like a Russian tank.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

In answer to your original question, $600 is probably a bit high but since they aren't making any more and it is available in front of you I would probably offer them $500 and see if they will move. The other weak point of the .351's is a tendency to crack the forearm cover as it is pretty thin. Be sure to look it over well. I paid around $300 for mine in the early 1980's. It came from a collector in Oklahoma and has a lot of feather shaped mother of pearl inlays on the forearm, silver studs around the butt stock, and an ivory looking masonic inlay with initials in right rear of the butt stock. I was never able to determine for whom or why it was decorated. I did get a letter from Winchester giving me the history of the model and the years they were manufactured but they had no record of any factory alterations as I described them.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I am now the proud owner of a Winchester 1907.

Ammo soon inbound to celebrate this 1915 production rifle's 100th birthday!

 

[gpb]

Congratulations on your acquisition. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[Fremmer]

Wow what a cool find! Please post pics!