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winchester 71

varminter3varminter3 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
edited March 2013 in Ask the Experts
I'm considering buying a Winchester 71. My understanding is that there are 3 types (for lack of a better word) of 71.

The original, in Standard and Deluxe manufactured by Winchester. A version maufactured by Browning, also Standard and Deluxe however the Browning Deluxe is engraved, gold(ish)filled and hard chrome or stainless type finish receiver. Then there is the most recent manufacture by Winchester in Deluxe and Standard.

I'm flexible on going with any of the above, I'd expect a new version (Browning or Winchester) to be in excllent shape, inside & out. Honest wear, but no other modifications, are OK on an older original.

Is there anything to beware of, functionally, on an older version? Do the newest 71s use a tang safety? I see they are not present on the original or Browning and don't particularly care for them.

I see a carbine and a rifle version offered. I've no problem with recoil, I know the 348 (and no recoil pad) are going to give me a good pop - any marked difference in recoil between the rifle and carbine?

I'll be buying this as a shooter, 99% of the time at the range and not walking through the woods. Is there any reason to pick one over the other?

I reload for about 80 cartridges including some oddballs - are components for the 348 much of a challenge to get?

Comments

  • varminter3varminter3 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Where can I find an origional bolt and nut that was for the windage adjustment on a bolt peep for a model 71 Winchester? Thanks Steve
  • varminter3varminter3 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Need some info re lever lock-up on a '46 Model 71 -- just took this one in and it doesn't lock-up tight unless there is a cartridge in it. Also need info on length of tang, long & short, or if the year of manufacture is a guide.
    Thanks
  • varminter3varminter3 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Question, I just purchased a model 71 serial number 1690x. Book says it was made in 1940. It has the checkered hammer and no reciever holes. It is a short tang rifle. All the short tang rifles I've seen have a cross cut hammer and holes for a reciever sight.
    Is this a "transition" gun? Is it worth more than a standard short tang? Just curious, thanks.
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Let me start by stating that most of the information published about the Model 71 is not accurate.

    Serial number 16900 was manufactured in 1939.

    The transition from the long tang to the short tang took place very near serial number 16800. I have seen (and surveyed) a considerable number of short tang Model 71s with a checkered hammer.

    The drilled & tapped holes in the receiver for a peep sight became standard very near serial number 26000 (in 1948), but were a special order option almost from the very beginning of production (October 1935).

    The switch from the checkered/knurled hammer to the serrated hammer took place shortly after the receiver modification (approximately serial number 27000), in late 1948 or early 1949.

    For those who are interested, I have a research survey in progress for the Model 71, and I am in the process of writing an article about them.

    I would appreciate the following information for the survey;

    1. The complete serial number.
    2. Long tang or Short tang.
    3. Is the receiver drilled & tapped?
    4. Is the muzzle flat and in the white, or is it crowned and blued?
    5. The variation (e.g. Standard Rifle, Deluxe Rifle, Carbine, or Deluxe Carbine)?
    6. The rear sight configuration (e.g. Bolt-peep, 22 series barrel sight, or a receiver sight including type).
    7. The caliber marking (e.g. "348 W.C.F.", or "348 WIN."

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • varminter3varminter3 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the information.
    I have two 71's here's the info-
    #16909
    Short tang
    Not drilled for recieved sight
    Muzzel is flat and in the white
    Standard rifle
    Rear sight is a 22a
    Caliber is .348 W.C.F
    Hammer is checkered.

    #7176
    Long tang
    Not drilled for recieved sight
    Muzzel is flat and in the white
    Standard rifle
    Bolt peep, sight blank installed
    Caliber .348 W.C.F.
    Checkered hammer






    Long tang
    Not drilled for a reciever sight
    Muzzel is flat and in the white
    Standard rifle
    Bolt peep sight blank installed
    Caliber .348 W.C.F.
  • varminter3varminter3 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Disregard the extra info on the bottom, misfire. Hope the info helps.
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by varminter3
    Thanks for the information.
    I have two 71's here's the info-
    #16909
    Short tang
    Not drilled for recieved sight
    Muzzel is flat and in the white
    Standard rifle
    Rear sight is a 22a
    Caliber is .348 W.C.F
    Hammer is checkered.

    #7176
    Long tang
    Not drilled for recieved sight
    Muzzel is flat and in the white
    Standard rifle
    Bolt peep, sight blank installed
    Caliber .348 W.C.F.
    Checkered hammer


    Thanks for the information,

    7176 - October 30th, 1936
    16909 - September 26th, 1939

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "7. The caliber marking (e.g. "348 W.C.F.", or "348 WIN.""................oh, damn...I'm just completeing a .348 custom rifle was going to mark it 'w.c.f.' but c.o.t.w. said 'win' ...already stamped :-(
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MIKE WISKEY
    "7. The caliber marking (e.g. "348 W.C.F.", or "348 WIN.""................oh, damn...I'm just completeing a .348 custom rifle was going to mark it 'w.c.f.' but c.o.t.w. said 'win' ...already stamped :-(


    Mike,

    The cartridge marking changed from "W.C.F." to "WIN." very near serial number 43000.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • MichibayMichibay Member Posts: 816 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bert...Are you aware of any production rifle ever chambered for the .348 other than the Model 71 or the newer Browning Model? It seems to me that I remember a double-rifle made in Europe chambered in .348 in the '60's or 70's...THANKS!!! I do have a 1940 Model 71 that I will help your survey with when I get back to Michigan.
  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bert,
    Here is some info on my '71
    Serial #6975
    Long tang
    Peep on bolt
    lightbox?id=8563583236
    Blank in barrel dovetail
    Deluxe rifle
    .348 WCF
    Flat muzzle appears white??
  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Receiver is not drilled or tapped
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Michibay
    Bert...Are you aware of any production rifle ever chambered for the .348 other than the Model 71 or the newer Browning Model? It seems to me that I remember a double-rifle made in Europe chambered in .348 in the '60's or 70's...THANKS!!! I do have a 1940 Model 71 that I will help your survey with when I get back to Michigan.


    I do not know of any production rifle other than the Model 71 that chambered the 348 Winchester cartridge.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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