pre-64 30-30, $270

[bandk]

I'm wondering if this is a good deal and safe to use...
I've come across this old Win., ~1954, it has a lyman peep site.
There is some wear of the stock finish and bluing. It has clearly been used in its life. The action is smooth with a little play and the chamber looks "fine" although I wouldn't know "normal" vs "abnormal" wear.

I asked if I could do a test shoot. Unfortunately, the dealer's range is miles away so he is not offering a test shoot but promises to have their gunsmith repair it in the event it does not shoot.

 

[joed]

Tough to say if it's a bargain or not. All I can tell you is it seems awful cheap for what it is. But I would doubt that it is shot out as a .30-30 has a modest powder charge. If you like it buy it and shoot it to see if it performs to your satisfaction.

I see a lot of pre 64 Winchesters selling for over 1k, but I don't see anyone buying them. While looking for a .220 Swift I found lots of model 70's pre 64 with hefty price tags. I wouldn't pay much for something that old in a barrel burning cartridge. But that's just me.

 

[skipjack]

If the bore looks good, it is a good buy. I sell quite a few 94s in my shop,
and they usually go between 200-300 dollars.

Most people don't care if it is pre-64...with the 94 most folks are looking for
pre WWII guns. There was a run on the 94 when the winchester plant was
closed, and the price went through the roof. That doesn't seem to be the case, now.

With the Lyman peep sight, that adds a bit of value and coolness. If it is
not a total beater, and you want it, it sounds like a good buy.

 

[Walkalong]

The pre 64 deal is about their bolt actions mainly.

 

[kaferhaus]

Go back with a bore light and check it. As the others have said if it checks out then I'd buy it. I like beaters cause I can beat em some mo...

 

[kyle1974]

the lyman peep sight will probably lower the value if they had to drill the reciever to attach the sight.


if I'm remembering correctly, I beleive the pre 64's used all machined parts, and the post 64's they went to stamping the partts, resulting in looser tolerances.

they are stilll well made guns, better than the post 64 rifles.

 

[natman]

The pre 64 deal is about their bolt actions mainly.

Sort of. It's a very big deal in the Model 70, but Winchester changed the design of a lot of their guns in 64 and pre-64s get a premium for most of them.

 

[kaferhaus]

Post 64 Winchester made changes of 'economy" to the 94. The receiver metal and finish changed and once it began to wear was the ugliest thing you ever saw... re-bluing it was a nightmare and most end up getting dura-coated or the like. these were the pre angle eject if I remember correctly.

I prefer the Win for a iron sight lever gun because it's lighter than the Marlin. Marlin's work better with scopes due to the mounting option on top of the receiver and the Marlin tends to be more accurate than the Win. I have several of each but haven't hunted with one in 20yrs.... probably time to trade them off...

 

[Snowdog]

I like beaters cause I can beat em some mo...

Bingo, that's one of the reasons why I love milsurp.

 

[mgmorden]

Bingo, that's one of the reasons why I love milsurp.

I don't so much hunt with milsurps (though I own a quite a few), but for the same reasons I do enjoy hunting with cheap guns. If they get a little scratched up, or get a bit rusted after a rainy hunt, I just clean them up and don't sweat it .

To put this into perspective with .30-30's, I have 2. A Marlin 336 that I paid $165 for, and a Savage 340 that I paid $99 for. Those are both within the last 3-4 years too - no "back in the days" prices being quoted there . Both function great. As a matter of fact, despite all the claims of lever guns lacking in accuracy, the Marlin consistently shoots MOA - and that's with very high see-through rings that came with it that I never bothered to swap out. The bolt Savage isn't quite MOA (at least not with factory ammo), but it's accurate enough for deer.