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so I am really looking forward to the next gun show, whenever that may be, and wondering what the general consensus might be on a sort of random thought I had. It’s more of a conversation type question, so any answer or explanation is fine, I am not surveying anything, just missing gun talk at the shows……. what one Winchester is a must have, even if it’s only one, in ones collection? I still don’t have my own answer…. it could be a 94, model 12, pump 22, 1885, 73…. it’s so hard to pick. I am going with a preliminary pick of a model 12, but will sleep on it.
I think everyone needs a good pre-64 bolt action Winchester .22. There is NO good excuse NOT to have one. 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
January 26, 2011
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Its seems like everyone should have at least one Model 1890, whatever caliber or variation you find, as long its not one of the late round barrels.
I guess I could have said a Deluxe 1886 in 50 Cal, but I’m trying to be reasonable here. Or just go with Jeff’s recommendation and grab a $150 M67. Wait, better yet, if your funds are tight, just go find yourself a Model 11 semi-auto for $50.
~Gary~
22 rim fire , lever action, 1873!
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
November 7, 2015
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I really like Jeff’s answer but thanks to his (and others’) input I now have several. Matter of fact, two went to the range with me last weekend. I find the other .22’s fascinating as well. Second answer is a good, clean 94. Or maybe one that was rode hard and put up wet on a regular basis. Or maybe a nice Deluxe TD. Or maybe a scrappy SRC. Any or all of the above would work, IMHO. Hard to call oneself a Winchester collector without at least one. To be quite honest I find other models more interesting but more than a few ‘94’s have followed me home.
To answer the question I’ll only say that I don’t know but I’ll know it when I see it. I just can’t wait to go to a real gun show again. There’s something going on locally this weekend billed as a gun show but I won’t waste my time or money on plastic and posers.
Mike
I’m with Aussie Chris I really would love to have a nice unmolested Model 1873 SRC in .44-40.
November 7, 2015
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Dave K. said
I’m with Aussie Chris I really would love to have a nice unmolested Model 1873 SRC in .44-40.
I think both of you are missing the point of Bill’s thread. For many of us the M1873 SRC would indeed be the focal point of our collection. I feel Bill is looking for something more essential. I’ve built a modest collection of dozens of guns that help to tell the Winchester story but only a few are possibly what Bill is looking for here. I think he’s looking for the piece that says: “I’m a Winchester Collector!” We all have our individual “Holy Grails” (that would be an interesting thread!) but I think Bill is looking for something more attainable. Something we can all find and be proud of. I honestly don’t know what Bill is looking for. He may already have it. I may already have it. You may already have it.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I think both of you are missing the point of Bill’s thread. For many of us the M1873 SRC would indeed be the focal point of our collection. I feel Bill is looking for something more essential. I’ve built a modest collection of dozens of guns that help to tell the Winchester story but only a few are possibly what Bill is looking for here. I think he’s looking for the piece that says: “I’m a Winchester Collector!” We all have our individual “Holy Grails” (that would be an interesting thread!) but I think Bill is looking for something more attainable. Something we can all find and be proud of. I honestly don’t know what Bill is looking for. He may already have it. I may already have it. You may already have it.
Mike
Mike, I see your point and misread Bill’s intent. I must say that among my modest collection the 1894 standard rifle with 26″ octagon barrel and in .38-55 despite its rather well worn condition is my “must have”. I trust that I got the intent right this time.
If I had to keep just one gun it would be a Model 1873. It was the first Winchester that can be shot. Shooting is important to me.
November 7, 2015
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I’m sorry, Dave. I’m not saying the 1873 SRC is the wrong answer because there isn’t one. I have an 1894 much like yours and I agree that it could be what Bill is getting at. I like Bill’s pick of the Model 12 but I’m not sure every collector is a shotgun fan. I personally feel my collection would not be complete without an 1885 but I can understand if other collectors don’t feel that way. I can see a case being made for the 1873 as a “must have” because of the role it played in the West and for Winchester. OTOH if someone wants to collect nothing but 1892’s his idea of a “must have” is just as valid as anyone’s. Bill’s question would be easier to answer if he’d asked for five or six but he didn’t.
Mike
So after re reading my own post, I see how it could be taken either way- so it can be a edited dual question:
what one Winchester must you have.? My choice is a 94 src, just because of the movies and growing up seeing them
and what one Winchester should everyone have at least one of ? Model 12, because it a Winchester model 12
sorry if it still doesn’t make sense, just trying to get some chatter going…….
I believe you must take into consideration the “Addiction Factor” Winchester firearms create. First you get this one and then there’s that one and so on. It’s not something that I have found to be controllable. You lust after one particular piece and you are fortunate enough to find it and then you find one you never expected to find, how does one stop? Only speaking for myself, mind you. Roger B.
November 7, 2015
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Well said, Roger. I’ve fallen into the “I don’t have one of these” trap a time or two. OK, maybe more. It’s a wonderful addiction!
Mike
Bill Hanzel said
So after re reading my own post, I see how it could be taken either way- so it can be a edited dual question:what one Winchester must you have.? My choice is a 94 src, just because of the movies and growing up seeing them
and what one Winchester should everyone have at least one of ? Model 12, because it a Winchester model 12
sorry if it still doesn’t make sense, just trying to get some chatter going…….
Bill – I see your reasons for selecting the M94 SRC. For a similar reason, I would select the M92 SRC in .44-40. I watched a lot of The Rifleman in my younger years! I have many 94 SRC’s but they play second fiddle to my 92 SRC’s. To me, the M92 SRC handles like a wand in the hand. Particularly with gum wood stocks. I like that the magazine capacity is greater than the ’94 as well.
rogertherelic said
I believe you must take into consideration the “Addiction Factor” Winchester firearms create. First you get this one and then there’s that one and so on. It’s not something that I have found to be controllable. You lust after one particular piece and you are fortunate enough to find it and then you find one you never expected to find, how does one stop? Only speaking for myself, mind you. Roger B.
That is a very accurate description Roger, and the good thing is there are plenty of models and options to fuel the fire
steve004 said
Bill – I see your reasons for selecting the M94 SRC. For a similar reason, I would select the M92 SRC in .44-40. I watched a lot of The Rifleman in my younger years! I have many 94 SRC’s but they play second fiddle to my 92 SRC’s. To me, the M92 SRC handles like a wand in the hand. Particularly with gum wood stocks. I like that the magazine capacity is greater than the ’94 as well.
Steve, you seem to have given me a research project……. I accept. I have had a couple 92’s but never a src….. guess I need to add that to my lookout list, you know, just to see if your description is accurate.
Bill Hanzel said
That is a very accurate description Roger, and the good thing is there are plenty of models and options to fuel the fire
steve004 said
Bill – I see your reasons for selecting the M94 SRC. For a similar reason, I would select the M92 SRC in .44-40. I watched a lot of The Rifleman in my younger years! I have many 94 SRC’s but they play second fiddle to my 92 SRC’s. To me, the M92 SRC handles like a wand in the hand. Particularly with gum wood stocks. I like that the magazine capacity is greater than the ’94 as well.Steve, you seem to have given me a research project……. I accept. I have had a couple 92’s but never a src….. guess I need to add that to my lookout list, you know, just to see if your description is accurate.
Bill – I suspect you are up for this research project. I fully trust you have the qualifications 🙂
As I’ve stated, I am fond of the M1892. I think it is the smoothest of the Winchester lever actions. I purchased my first M1892 45 or so years ago. It was a .44-40 with a 24 inch octagon barrel and full magazine. I recall carrying it in the woods that deer season. In my mind, there is no Winchester center-fire that fits better in the hand than the ’92. And the SRC version is petite, compact and very maneuverable.
Back to the smoothness of the action, all of mine are smooth but I have one, a .38-40 rifle that is a couple cuts above the rest. It’s so smooth that when you fire it and cycle the next round – you don’t acknowledge that you’ve done so. It’s so smooth that working the action is not perceptible. I know I won’t be believed on this. A friend came to the range with me and I had him shoot it. He had the same experience. He fired a round and had to open the action to check to see if a round had been chambered because he couldn’t believe he had worked the action.
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