Winchester Model 64

I have wondered for a long time about Winchester's model 64 rifle. Same action as the model 94 but with a longer 24" barrel and a pistol grip stock. Most I've seen also had half magazines. I am sure they were made in several calibers - .25-35, .30-30, and .32 Special. I see there are a few on the market - used - and they bring pretty prices. Does anyone have any experience with one? If I remember right Winchster offerred the '94 with pistol grip plastic stocks about 20 years ago. My research says the 64 was discontinued in 1955.

Attachment 284140

The 64 was also made in the early 1970s too.

Not exactly a Model 64, but I have handled a few 26" barreled Model 1894 Winchester's. I did not buy one because they had collector price tags on them and I still had a kid at home that wanted to eat more than once a week.

That said, the rifles felt lighter and livelier in my hands than a Marlin 336A, their version of a 24" half magtube rifle. I don't go deer hunting anymore so my search for a 64 kind of dwindled since a 336A in .35 Remington lives at my house.

If I were still into still hunting whitetail deer, I think I would look a lot harder to find one of the Model 64's. The Whelen style stock may make it handle more like a Marlin, I do not know for sure.

Robert

The Winchester 64 and 1894 that I have seam so quick to put on target and shoot and smooth to rechamber another round both are keepers and they love cast bullets .

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Originally Posted by bimus

The Winchester 64 and 1894 that I have seam so quick to put on target and shoot and smooth to rechamber another round both are keepers and they love cast bullets .

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That is a nice looking 64. Looks like what Winchester called the 'Deer Rifle' but are often called 'Deluxe'. Either name fits. I like the better wood, the full forearm, and the checkering. They bring a premium price. Not as much as a '64 carbine with the 20" barrel but it's the 24" barrel combined with the other features that lure me. I once had a 1950's 1894 carbine in .30-30 that I inherited. That was when I lived in Alaska. I sold it because it wasn't a moose rifle. Even so I now live in the lower 48 and don't need a moose rifle. The traditionalist in me covets a deer rifle, not a saddle carbine. I hate horses.

I bought this Winchester Model 64A several years ago and it is a very fine shooter:

5 rounds at 100 yards.
https://i.postimg.cc/Wb2stvDB/1E642A...5A2A0533D8.jpg

The 64A is a re issuance of the original model 64 that was brought out in the 70’s and is probably the best $600 levergun I’ve ever purchased.

It is light weight and handles and balances extremely well for a “long” barreled levergun.

It is one of my favorite 30/30’s to shoot offhand at 100+ yards because it makes me look like a good shot.

https://i.postimg.cc/HsHRdtFn/E6-EBE...0744-B7-D3.jpg

The Winchester came in rifle and carbine versions. All had pistol grip stocks with half magazine. They also came in standard with plain stocks and deluxe model with checkering on the forearm and pistol grip along with sling swivels installed at the factory. I bought one for my daughter to deer hunt with that is from the forties. It has the tang drilled and tapped for a tang sight the ones made after 1950 had the receiver drilled and tapped for a receiver sights only. They are very fine rifles and yes they do bring plenty of money these days like all older Winchesters do that are pre '64. The 64's made in the 1970's are usually cheaper because they are not pre 1964. Most folks feel the Winchester's made after 1964 are cheaper looking guns. This is true to some extent because they had to cut much of the hand fitting to compete with other manufacturers of the day. The later guns shoot well they just don't have the fit and finish like the earlier ones have.

I have a 20" octagon barreled Canadian Centennial I bought some years back fairly cheap because one side of the receiver had scratches on it. For one of my birthdays which I don't bother to count anymore, bought the 26" octagon barreled one in the same series. That long barrel just hangs out there. Try Cherry's Fine guns as they do seem to have a few left. Or at least until the current crazyness started. Frank

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I always wanted a Model 64 Deer Gun (model), but they were out of my financial reach, so I bought the next best thing - A 1971 Winchester 94 NRA Centennial .30-30.

I figured, where else can I get a like-new/new rifle in the configuration I wanted for less that half the cost of a gennie….


https://image.invaluable.com/housePh...L162756568.jpg

The model 64 was also chambered in 219 Zipper (26 inch barrel). I've got one in 30-30 and I'm eager to try some cast bullets in her.

my 64 was made in 1938 in 32 spl and is a fine hunting rifle.

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Originally Posted by pietro

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I always wanted a Model 64 Deer Gun (model), but they were out of my financial reach, so I bought the next best thing - A 1971 Winchester 94 NRA Centennial .30-30.

I figured, where else can I get a like-new/new rifle in the configuration I wanted for less that half the cost of a gennie….


https://image.invaluable.com/housePh...L162756568.jpg

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That is a handsome rifle. It seems to me, and has been said by others o this forum, that the longer barrel and the pistol grip stock help make the rifle just 'Hang There' making hits easier. The 24" barrel makes more sense to me. Besides, I have some short barreled rifles that I don't like to hunt with without ear protection. The 18" barrel of my Marlin 1894C in .357 is a good example. For some reason moving the muzzle 6-8" further from my ears seems to make a difference.

My mind is fooling with me. I like the aeesthetics and the practicality of the Model 64. I'd also like to have a .38-55. I know they were never put together by Winchester but someone suggested finding a cheap Model 94 and rebarreling it. I don't see any problem with putting a 24" barrel in .38-55 on it. Are pistol grip stocks available as aftermarket items? I know the finger lever and prolly the lower tang would need to be changed but...

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Originally Posted by Jim22

That is a handsome rifle.

My mind is fooling with me. I like the aeesthetics and the practicality of the Model 64. I'd also like to have a .38-55.

know they were never put together by Winchester but someone suggested finding a cheap Model 94 and rebarreling it.

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Thank you - that's exactly why I bought it.


FWIW, ANY Winchester 94 in .30-30 or .32 Special is easily rebored/rechambered to .38-55 - in fact there's a few outfits that specialize in just that, like Jess Ocumpaugh ( www.35caliber.com ) for about $250USD.

The EASY button for converting a straight-gripped Winchester 94 to a pistol grip would be to obtain a PG buttstock & curved lever - both drop-in's (the stock may need fitting) - yes, there will be a void between the top of the lever loop and the lower tang, but it's invisible with the lever/action closed.

Or, obtain a Winchester Big Bore 94 in .450 Marlin and swap out the barrel.

https://www.shootersforum.com/attach...n-reciever.jpg

I believe the rifle version is inherently more accurate than the carbine model with the barrel band

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Originally Posted by 00buck

I believe the rifle version is inherently more accurate than the carbine model with the barrel band

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That maybe, but not enough to make a difference when hunting - remember, these are not target rifles.

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Originally Posted by pietro

Thank you - that's exactly why I bought it.


FWIW, ANY Winchester 94 in .30-30 or .32 Special is easily rebored/rechambered to .38-55 - in fact there's a few outfits that specialize in just that, like Jess Ocumpaugh ( www.35caliber.com ) for about $250USD.

The EASY button for converting a straight-gripped Winchester 94 to a pistol grip would be to obtain a PG buttstock & curved lever - both drop-in's (the stock may need fitting) - yes, there will be a void between the top of the lever loop and the lower tang, but it's invisible with the lever/action closed.

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Thank you. I bookmarked JES reboring. Now to try to find a 94 or a 64 with a bad bore.
Jim

Edit:

I just surfed through some online brokers and found a couple 64's that were priced well below a grand. One has a bad bore but doesn't look bad outside. Before I mail order I think I'll check my local and not-so-local gun stores.

Jim

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Originally Posted by pietro

Thank you - that's exactly why I bought it.



Or, obtain a Winchester Big Bore 94 in .450 Marlin and swap out the barrel.

https://www.shootersforum.com/attach...n-reciever.jpg

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That .450 Marlin looks an awful lot like the .458x2" American. I once had a hankering for one of those when I lived in Alaska. While there I experimented with a couple of .458 Win Mags and a .416 Rem.. Then a .400 belted whelen. I was younger then and recoil didn't bother me because arthritis had not yet found me. Most of my hunting was done with a Sako .338 Win Mag in a Sako Finnbear. 225 gr Hornady ahead of 70.0 grs IMR 4350 if I remember right.

I Googled the .450 Marlin and it was developed from the .458 American. The case was lengthened 0.10 inch. I no longer need or want power at that level. A nice .38-55 with 250 gr cast boolits at 1300-1500 fps will do anything I want.

Jim

my winchester timber carbine is in 444 marlin, a light weight easy toting woods rifle with enough power to handle any thing incountered in the lower 48.

That 94 Timber is neat. 45-70+P power (or-P)....
In the 94 Winchester!
In high school in FFA; if one sold enough magazine subscriptions one could win a number of different guns. The Winchester NRA 64 rifle and 94 Musket were the Holy Grail.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

The 64 is a cool version of the 94. They always reminded me of the 71’s little brother.

I have a pre 64 32 special 64. Pretty good shape. Never intended to shoot it. Its part of a small collection I have. Its construction is not like the long barreled or carbines. 64 it has nice rounded edges unlike the standard line rifles. "A sportsman rifle for that time."

Talked my buddy into sending a beater Marlin 336 to JES for a .38-55 rebore and also to have the mag tube shortened in the fashion of the 64. ! What a handy little carbine ! Shoots great and more than enough gun to hunt with.

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About 70 years ago, Marlin introduced their take on the Winchester 64, their first chambering for the .35 Remington - the 336SC Sporting Carbine, with a 20" bbl (like the short barrel version of the Winchester 64)


https://i.imgur.com/9vBimsGl.jpg

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Originally Posted by pietro

Thank you - that's exactly why I bought it.


FWIW, ANY Winchester 94 in .30-30 or .32 Special is easily rebored/rechambered to .38-55 - in fact there's a few outfits that specialize in just that, like Jess Ocumpaugh ( www.35caliber.com ) for about $250USD.

The EASY button for converting a straight-gripped Winchester 94 to a pistol grip would be to obtain a PG buttstock & curved lever - both drop-in's (the stock may need fitting) - yes, there will be a void between the top of the lever loop and the lower tang, but it's invisible with the lever/action closed.

Or, obtain a Winchester Big Bore 94 in .450 Marlin and swap out the barrel.

https://www.shootersforum.com/attach...n-reciever.jpg

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After visiting JES reboring I see that the $250 price is for a three groove barrel. Four grooves are more. Is there any trouble with three? I remember some '03 Springfields were built with two groove barrels. Anyone have any experience?

Jim

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AFAIK, most of Jess' customers are perfectly happy with a 3-groove barrel - you could check the difference in performance with him.

I got the 3 groove and love it.

Beautiful rifle. Thanks for sharing

Even JES says there’s not much difference between 3,4 or 5 grooves.

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Originally Posted by Shawlerbrook

Even JES says there’s not much difference between 3,4 or 5 grooves.

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Thanks, all,

After visiting the JES website I decided the best way to contact him was snail mail so I wrote him a letter. He doesn't give an email address and says to call, leave a message, and he'll call back. For those who have dealt with him what is the best way to correspond?

Jim

My model 64 was my first big game rifle, I bought it in 1965 for the grand sum of $35.00 (used of course). I made the mistake of letting my brother borrow it and when he returned it the once pristine 30 caliber barrel was TOAST! It sat unused for a few years until I heard about JES rebore, a quick call and it was on it's way. I had it rechambered to 35-30/30 and was ecstatic with the performance and accuracy.

Attachment 286225

With 200gr SAECO's ahead of 16.0 grains of Unique it drops hogs with authority too.

Attachment 286226

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Originally Posted by Jim22

After visiting the JES website I decided the best way to contact him was snail mail so I wrote him a letter.

He doesn't give an email address and says to call, leave a message, and he'll call back.

For those who have dealt with him what is the best way to correspond?

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Bad decision, Jim - Jess is very busy, and often doesn't respond well because he gets many, many tire-kickers that waste his time, so there's two ways to go:

1) Telephone him early AM, his time, and the chances are that he'll pick up the call

2) Alternately, you can disassemble your rifle and send him the barreled action, with the action internals so he can headspace it (no wood, magazine, or sights) - include a check or M.O. for the job & a note with what you want along with your personal information for return shipment.

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Originally Posted by pietro

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About 70 years ago, Marlin introduced their take on the Winchester 64, their first chambering for the .35 Remington - the 336SC Sporting Carbine, with a 20" bbl (like the short barrel version of the Winchester 64)


https://i.imgur.com/9vBimsGl.jpg

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Yep, I have that waffle top SC 35 rem. 336 Marlin. That’s why I don’t need to add a 64 Win. to my lever collection. Anyway, in my experience, pistol grip lever guns handle recoil much better. They are just sweeter shooting. The 1/2 magazine tube is more handy as well. 4 plus 1 for hunting is plenty.

If you can’t find a 64 Winchester ( either pre or post 1964) for a good price, just buy a common Marlin 336 with a pistol grip and don’t look back. Just my .02.

I think the 64 was the only way to get a 219 zipper, Winchester trying to get away from custom stuff with the 94 by saying, "here it is, no customizations" and for the most part stuck to it. Also the 65 is to the 92 as the 64 is to the 94. 218 bee!!!

I found that if you called and left a message, he would call back.