Top Five pre-64 Winchesters to Collect and Shoot?

[bushmaster1313]

What is the "core" pre-64 Winchester collection to collect and shoot?
Guns from the 40's and 50's would be best
Not thinking about high end collectables
Must be ready and willing to shoot with modern factory ammo.

My thoughts:

1. Model 70 .270 FWT
2. 1897 (I like the Factory Riot)
3. 1894 30-30 or .32 Win. Spec.
4. Model 12 (I like the Factory Riot)
5. Not sure (.22 lever, Model 88, something else?)

 

[Horsemany]

Featherweight era guns ('53 and later) are not the pinnacle of pre 64 M70's. Go for a late 40's early 50's gun like a Super Grade and you'll really have something.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Featherweight era guns ('53 and later) are not the pinnacle of pre 64 M70's. Go for a late 40's early 50's gun like a Super Grade and you'll really have something.

The Featherweights seem more practical for the woods.

 

[Jim Watson]

Model 70 Fwt for hunting
Model 70 Heavy Barrel for target
Model 52 for Target
Model 63 for plinking
Model 53 just cute, that's all.

Never saw a Winchester shotgun I could hit with.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Model 53 just cute, that's all.

Never heard of the Model 52 or the Model 53

 

[Jim Watson]

Your education has been neglected.
The Winchester Model 52 was THE leading .22 target rifle of its day. (Made a nice looking adult sized .22 sporter to go along with your Model 70, too.)
The Winchester Model 53 is a deluxe variant of the Model 92 lever action, with pistol grip and half magazine. Browning made a repro that was even prettier than the originals.

 

[Smith357]

1894 Rifle .38-55
M70 .257 Roberts
M52B Sporter
M97 Trench Gun w/ Bayonett
M21 SxS

 

[supercalvin56]

1. Pre-war model 70...300 H&H
2. Pre-war model 21...20 gauge
3. Pre-war model 12...12 gauge
4. Pre-war model 52 Sporter...22 LR
5. Pre-war model 70...220 Swift

 

[Stacer]

1873 in 44-40
1892 in 44 40
1894 in 30 30
model 74 in 22lr
model 1905 in 32 wslr
Those are just the ones sitting around the house, but they are all keepers

 

[jim in Anchorage]

.375 M70 is a must. Prefer pre war but will accept 40s-very early 50s.
M71 .348. Checkered with Lyman 56 peep.
M52 sporting rifle version.
Pre war 30-06 M70 carbine.
20 Ga M12.

Would make a killer collection.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Winchester 52B



Most were target rifles like this one, but they made a .22 sporter that is highly prized.

 

[Gordon]

1951 Model 70 .270 with a 4x Unertl scope. My first high power rifle and was my go to deer gun for 35 years. Before 53 you got a solid forged bolt and after 50 you got a 3 position safety.
I have a .243 Featherweight from 1957 and a 30-06 from 1955. Both are wonderful guns.
I have a 1961 .264 Westerner that is the ultimate antelope gun. After 1959 the walnut tends to get lighter in density and the polish not quite as good.
I have a 16 guage Model 23 SXS with 26" imp. and modified barrel it was made in 1947 and is not a lard azz like the 12ga model 23s are. Nice gun!
I got a perfect Model 12 Riot from 1956. A pretty 1946 94 30-30 , nothing like the later 94s it is pretty! Model 62 .22 pump is a must have and the hammerless ones are worth more! For bolt .22s I have a 1937 model 67 single shot which was my first rifle. I have a model 75 sporter that is an understudy to the Model 70s.. I think I have half a dozen older models but it is getting late.

 

[30Cal]

I must say I think I'm doing pretty well here, but not intentionally.

Got a 1930's Model 12 solid rib from a neighbor when I was a kid.
My dad gave me a 1892 win 44WCF and a Model 53 (similar but in 25-20)
Bought a Model 52D from a buddy (rather have a 52C or B, but hey, he gave me a good deal and it shoots)
Traded last week for a Model 70 Fwt in 30-06