Pre '64 Winchesters

gunluv280

March 02, 2003 04:35

I went to a gun show yesterday, and was trying to explain to my wife why the pre '64 Winchesters are favored over more current ones. It dawned on me that I couldn't recall the exact reason for this. Could somebody please remind me?

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  hunter7737

  March 02, 2003 04:58

  The pre 64s were made of higher quality and are harder to find in original condition. The early ones are almost impossible to find in original condition. Mosty it is the collectors that make it more desirable.

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  Jody Commander

  March 02, 2003 05:01

  The Win. management made engineering design changes in both the product and production process in an attempt to delay bankruptcy, the results proved disastrous, the companys' reputation was fatally wounded by the use of poor quality wood, cheap stampings, and "improvements" that did not work.
  
  1964 is the accepted cut-off date for quality decline, but some changes were made prior to and afterwards of that date.

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  rockton

  March 02, 2003 05:48

  In addition to the above the early pre-war rifles were almost hand fitted due to the availability of cheap, not unskilled, labor.
  
  Many now think the current Model 70s are better.
  
  I like them because they can never make another Pre-64.
  
  Note:
  
  Many pre-64 rifles are not what they appear to be. Much gollbing and reassembly of parts have allowed a large number of Pre 64s, by serial number, prior to 700,000 to basically be fakes.
  
  If you go to buy one be careful.
  
  Rockton

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  chuck

  March 02, 2003 07:17

  Winchester was an American Icon. to bad what the owners did to them. Browning and Winchester merged and are now owned by some French Co. In the past 20 years I have owned 3 win pre 64 model 70s I am a shooter not a collector, could not get any of them to shoot as good as a Remington 700, I was very happy to get my money back when I sold them.

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  ked-mar

  March 02, 2003 07:18

  Pre-64 Winchesters, were made from forged solid blocks of steel. This pertains, not only to their rifles, but their shot gums also. They switched to investment castings, to save on labor costs. A lot of the various shapes can be cast into the casting, that would have to be machined, into the solid block. There are a lot of pros, and cons about which is stronger. Rugers are made the same way, on many of their guns. The cast guns, are not as smooth, as the machined ones.You can tell this, with bolt operation on the rifle, and the pump action on the shot guns. Winchester claims that the cast guns are a better grade of steel than the machined ones.
  It's your nickel. K.J.S.

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