My first Winchester Lever!

[Kevinakaq]

Morning Gents,

Just purchased my first Winchester lever action. I was raised in the south and Marlin's are much more prevalent there (have and used Marlin levers all my life). Recently bought a Rossi 92 and Uberti 66, but this a REAL Winchester lever and I am thoroughly excited. She was made in 1952 and wood is in decent shape (still proud of the metal) so I do believe she was never refinished. Bluing has some defects in the finish which appear as if some chemical got on it which is a shame but I got her at a decent price ($300 out the door from a lgs) so this was acceptable. No pitting anywhere. Maybe one day I will slow rust blue her as a project but most likely I will tote her as she is. Bore is bright and crisp and action tight as a drum. Oh, she is a 32 win special as well which is a caliber I already load for in one of my Marlins. Love the caliber. Just wanted to share my enthusiasm with the group.

As a side story my father and his best friend as kids bought two just like it together back in the early 60's. Father's in 30wcf and Jack's in 32 since father got the last 30 the old country store had. Jack passed away last year and I told father this morning right after I picked the rifle up that in honor of old Jack I would make it my duty to miss everything I shoot at with this old classic...lol! Shame he isn't still around to get back at me for saying that...

Thanks for sharing my enjoyment,
Kevin

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[starmac]

Saweeet.

[Maximumbob54]

Wait. You just bought a pre '64 Winchester for $300 out the door????

[merlin101]

Nice, maybe that's Jacks old gun? Wouldn't that be cool!

[Kevinakaq]

Wait. You just bought a pre '64 Winchester for $300 out the door????

I have been shopping for one for a few years and just didn't like the prices/condition I was seeing. What is embaressing is that last night I dropped by the LGS before they closed and he had just gotten it - didn't even have a price on it. He told me 350 and I countered with 300. He said cash and we have a deal and I was to lazy to drive the three miles to the atm (already had two rifles in the backseat I had picked up at my ffl down the road). Regretted it all night. So first thing this morning I got up and drove in (20 miles) to the bank and was there when he opened up. It was a good deal no doubt. AND it is my birthday Sunday...so this is my gift to me. I couldn't do much better.

[Kevinakaq]

Nice, maybe that's Jacks old gun? Wouldn't that be cool!

that would be pure poetry.

[OnHoPr]

Looks interesting. Just for the heck of it will the C329-205-1R size down easy enough for the 32 win spec with WQWWs if sized just after casting about an hour.

[Blackwater]

Wow! What a great deal! I got my .30/30 for $450, and thought I'd stolen it! Congratulations on a very nice gun. May you spend many fine days afield together.

[smokeywolf]

You got a great deal. Don't think I can ever love another brand as much as I do Winchester.

[osteodoc08]

Excellent deal. Nice looking gun. Full range report needed.

[John Allen]

Nice, it will be tough to have just one they need company.

[TXGunNut]

Congrats and happy birthday. My "new" 32Spl was built in 1954, sweet rifle.

[DeputyDog25]

Congratulations on your new purchase, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine

[Kevinakaq]

Thanks guys. Was thinking to order a replacement magazine tube from numrich which would get rid of 85-90 percent of the bad bluing. Wonder how close the bluing on the part would be to original gun. Part is about 29 shipped...

[outdoorfan]

Excellent buy! I also have an affinity to the Winchester 94. I just like the way they handle and feel.

[OverMax]

One is just a start too the many you will want. "Hello Winchester addiction."

[jonp]

You stole that gun. I've been looking for a 32sp for some time and the cheapest I saw at an lgs in NH was almost $600. Great find!

[Blackwater]

There are a good number of those great old Winchesters out there, but the folks who have them, just don't sell them, at least while still alive. I'm sure mine came from an estate sale. Many families just don't know or appreciate what they have, sadly. But it's about the only way we who want them are going to find one these days. It's sad, but that's just the way it is. Mine won't go anywhere while I'm still living, THAT much is for SURE!

[TXGunNut]

There are a good number of those great old Winchesters out there, but the folks who have them, just don't sell them, at least while still alive. I'm sure mine came from an estate sale. Many families just don't know or appreciate what they have, sadly. But it's about the only way we who want them are going to find one these days. It's sad, but that's just the way it is. Mine won't go anywhere while I'm still living, THAT much is for SURE!


A number of my old Winchesters almost certainly came from estates, that's why I call my favorite gun store "The Orphanage". I don't buy old leverguns, I adopt them.

[clum553946]

A number of my old Winchesters almost certainly came from estates, that's why I call my favorite gun store "The Orphanage". I don't buy old leverguns, I adopt them.


Well said!

[Kevinakaq]

I can't see my Winchester going anywhere until I pass. Of course, it needs one or two 'brother' Winchesters to keep it company. Only other Winchester I have is a m70 Featherweight in 308 nib. Not sure my 'orphan' would get along with my uberti and rossi clones...step brothers maybe?

[flint45]

Very nice good old lever gun.Enjoy!

[TXGunNut]

I can't see my Winchester going anywhere until I pass. Of course, it needs one or two 'brother' Winchesters to keep it company. Only other Winchester I have is a m70 Featherweight in 308 nib. Not sure my 'orphan' would get along with my uberti and rossi clones...step brothers maybe?

Yes, they're much better adjusted with siblings. As you may know they're a bit like livestock; soon after a second levergun shows up they seem to appear unexpectedly and there's little if anything you can do about it. I don't think guns are snobby. I have a 3rd gen Colt, a 90 yr old Colt, and a few Uberti 1873's all on the same shelf. They even put up with a few S&W's and a 1911 or two. They make the 1911's hang out on the door, not sure what's up with that. ;-)

[Kevinakaq]

Yes, they're much better adjusted with siblings. As you may know they're a bit like livestock; soon after a second levergun shows up they seem to appear unexpectedly and there's little if anything you can do about it. I don't think guns are snobby. I have a 3rd gen Colt, a 90 yr old Colt, and a few Uberti 1873's all on the same shelf. They even put up with a few S&W's and a 1911 or two. They make the 1911's hang out on the door, not sure what's up with that. ;-)

Was talking to my father minutes ago and realized i did have another Winchester. I have a 1944 (or right around there as it is in Florida under my bed right now) Model 12...another fine classic winnie to keep the 94 company. My father reminded me of this as he was the one who gave it to me some ten years ago. It is in great original shape and I don't recall Ever pulling the trigger on it...shameful of me!


And come to think of it I don't remember any complaints either from my different makes of guns....if only politicians could take note!

[smokeywolf]

Don't want to call them "winnies" in front of my Winchesters; they take offense to that. They may be your children, but most of them are still older than you. A little respect for your elders.:wink::wink::wink:

[Artful]

Nice find, glad it went to someone who appreciated it.

I could be wrong but one of the bad things about blood on your hands is if you put it on a blued surface the bluing tends to get eaten up. I wonder if the tube just didn't get wiped down after a kill was taken care of.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149195&d=1442589795

[Kevinakaq]

Nice find, glad it went to someone who appreciated it.

I could be wrong but one of the bad things about blood on your hands is if you put it on a blued surface the bluing tends to get eaten up. I wonder if the tube just didn't get wiped down after a kill was taken care of.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149195&d=1442589795

Very possible that blood was the culprit there. I did order a replacement magazine and installed it. Still have the orignal but you cant tell the replacement bluing on it from the barrel bluing and it greatly improved appearance for 29 bucks shipped.

[TXGunNut]

Good to know about the mag tubes, have a 1901 vintage 38-55 that needs one.

[Buck Neck It]

Blood eats bluing, but any pre-64 without stains is suspect! These rifles were made to be used.