Anyone have Whitney Wolverine experience?

[searcher451]

I've always loved the looks of the original Wolverine and have a chance to pick a nice one up for a reasonable price (all else being equal these days). Can anyone provide any perspective on the Whitney ... as a shooter or plinker, a potential collectible, or just a nice-to-have, hard-to-find original?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dienekes]

Don't have much experience with the originals other than wanting one when I was a kid when they were about $39 NIB. They are a little bit of a cult classic, and the American Rifleman did a pretty good article on them years ago. There is some info on the errornet and a thread on them here a while back.

Even with the soft economy they aren't particularly cheap; but neither do I think they are much of an "investment".

Just for the heck of it I got one of the Olympic Arms Wolverines a few years back. I like the way the gun feels and shoots, just like the originals, but I don't think I ever got through a magazine of ammo (any brand) without a failure to feed. Factory customer service was surly and ineffective. I'm not even sure they make it anymore as other people seemed to be having the same experience.

Too bad, because I and others have a soft spot for the gun. It never had what it took to take on the Ruger .22 pistol, but had a certain raffish charm.

 

[Dienekes]

Don't have much experience with the originals other than wanting one when I was a kid when they were about $39 NIB. They are a little bit of a cult classic, and the American Rifleman did a pretty good article on them years ago. There is some info on the errornet and a thread on them here a while back.

Even with the soft economy they aren't particularly cheap; but neither do I think they are much of an "investment".

Just for the heck of it I got one of the Olympic Arms Wolverines a few years back. I like the way the gun feels and shoots, just like the originals, but I don't think I ever got through a magazine of ammo (any brand) without a failure to feed. Factory customer service was surly and ineffective. I'm not even sure they make it anymore as other people seemed to be having the same experience.

Too bad, because I and others have a soft spot for the gun. It never had what it took to take on the Ruger .22 pistol, but had a certain raffish charm.

 

[woad_yurt]

I had two and still have one. Buy the thing!!! Neither of mine ever jammed with any kind of ammo, they're crazy accurate and they have a very, very, very nice trigger. It's the equal of any .22 semi-auto and will dust 99% of 'em. No one ever believes me because they can't try one out for themselves as they're so uncommon. Buckmark? Ruger? Hah!

They are climbing in value more quickly than most guns, too.

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!

Plus, they are the original space pistol. Just look at one. It is the coolest. Olympic Arms sells all of the mechanical parts new so you can keep it going if it ever breaks.

 

[owlhoot]

Had one forty years ago. Didn't have any problems that I recall. Wish I had had enough sense to keep it - but I've made that mistake with a lot of guns.

 

[searcher451]

Thanks, guys, for the good comments. I pulled the trigger on it today and should have it in my hot little hands at the end of the week. With a little luck on the weather, I should be able to give you all a range report soon. We'll see if it's as good as they say, but I'm happy to get one regardless of how well it punches paper. They sure are cool to look at.

 

[RedAlert]

Olympic Arms had them on display and for sale as recently as the week before the "Shot Show" in their sales room. A gent above commented on ineffective and surly factory service. My experience, although it has been in person, has been exactly the opposite. Courteous and eager to help me.

Ralph

 

[bop70]

The "new" Whitney

I just came from the range today with the "new" Whitney Wolverine that I just purchase 3 weeks ago and I have to tell you, the feel of the pistol (ergonomics) it is a very comfortable fit (for me at least) it just feel natural and the balance is great, the ammo used was a CCI Mini-Mag 22LR round nose (0030) and I did not have any issues and also I tried the Eley Sport and kept jamming (don't use that), Olympics Arms does not recommend using "inexpensive" ammo. I fired today 100 rounds and the pistol is very accurate (1 to 2 inches clusters) at 25 feet, now in my experience do not load the full magazine (10 rounds) because I had some jamming, I load 8 round and it was perfect, also at the beginning (when I just got the pistol) I had a little issue with the safety and I called Olympic Arms and they were very courteous and helpful they ask me to send the pistol and they will fixed for free (Lifetime Warranty) but after that reading again the manual and playing a little I realize it was a "user" error and there was nothing to be fixed, so far I fired over 500 round and I really like this pistol and I would definitely recommended, by the way if you are going to disassemble to clean it use a light color towel or any cloth underneath because some (like 2 or 3) little pieces will come out flying and it is going to be difficult to find, hope this help to clarified some questions.

 

[searcher451]

Good to know, and I appreciate the report. I just bought a Browning Buck Mark Hunter to scratch this itch, but must say -- after getting the original Wolverine, and yeah, it's awesome -- that the gun has great appeal; I may have to revisit the issue and see if I can get my hands on the new model after all.

 

[Rohann]

I know this late comming ,but I own a Whitney .22 I have carried it for many years. It is a fine piece of machinery It is very accurate and reliable. I personally have had no problems cleaning or using the weapon. I have had the gun since my Dad passed away in 1975 and everyone who has shot it were amazed on it's accuracy. My pistol has white grips and a polished aluminum frame and from what I've heard they are rare so I may retire it. I hope you have as much fun as I have Good luck !

 

[wditto]

how much are the things selling for now-a-days ? sound like fun

 

[Billy Shears]

I just picked one up. I haven't even fired it yet. I paid $300 for it. It looks to be in great shape, with only a little cosmetic wear to the anodizing on the aluminum frame. And for some reason, a previous owner decided to file a pair of additional sight notches on either side of the rear sight, why I can't imagine. It doesn't affect the ability to use the main rear sight notch, fortunately, though it is another cosmetic blemish. If I ever find an original rear sight, I'll fix it.

 

[Jim K]

That gun feels great and looks "way cool" even today, but is pretty sensitive to ammo, especially bullet shape, so you might have to try a couple of kinds if you have problems.

They are a PITA to take down and reassemble, and it is very easy to lose parts; I suggest not doing it unless necessary.

The story has been told elsewhere of how everyone involved managed to screw up the manufacturing and sales of a good pistol. Still, they were not (IMHO) as good as the Ruger standard model (the price competition for everyone in the .22 auto pistol field) or the more expensive Colts, but would have been very competitive with the High Standard Dura Matic, a design that I considered poor, but which has had more incarnations than the proverbial cat, most recently as the Beretta Neos.

Jim

 

[zoom6zoom]

I have both an original and an Oly copy. This is one of the most natural pointing pistols I have ever held. They are indeed very finicky about ammo, both the original and the copy. Mine hate the Aguila I got from CMP but feed flawlessly with MiniMags and other premium ammo. The Wolverine was a favorite of Col. Rex Applegate.

 

[TimboKhan]

I was very interested in the new Wolverine, and I typically don't put a ton of stock in internet reviews, but it seems just about everyone has had function issues with these. Scared me off, but then I don't particularly need another gun anyway...

 

[OcelotZ3]

I bought an original one earlier this year for $300 and it has been great. It seems to run fine with Remington Golden Bullets, Federal bulk, CCI, etc. No problems with feeding or anything. But then again, I keep my guns (and mags) clean & lubed. I don't seem to have problems with "problematic" guns that others do, once I clean & lube them.

 

[HippieMagic]

Why did I come into this thread expecting it to be about a stripper?

 

[Prince Yamato]

Please tell me that it has a 1/2x28 threaded barrel...