November 7, 2015

Nice, congrats!
Thanks Sir. For many years the 22’s have taken a back seat to the other Winchesters. Now, they are becoming highly collectable. I started a collection in the 70’s and wound up selling them off. Now, I find some are getting really hard to find and very pricey. The Thumb Trigger is a good example. When found, they are junk for big $$$$. I hope my luck holds out and I am able to find a nice specimen. I have most all the very scarce ones. Thanks, Big Larry
Big Larry said
For many years the 22’s have taken a back seat to the other Winchesters. Now, they are becoming highly collectable…
Wonder if this is because the high prices of the “others” are making them unaffordable, to many at least (me included). It sure ain’t because the number of collectors is increasing, as any dealer long in the business will confirm! Old collectors (like me again) are dying off faster than they’re being replaced.
November 7, 2015

Been doing a fair bit of reading on Winchester 22’s this weekend. I’m thinking you’re on to something, Big Larry. I need to study up a bit more while my bank account recovers.
TXGunNut said
Been doing a fair bit of reading on Winchester 22’s this weekend. I’m thinking you’re on to something, Big Larry. I need to study up a bit more while my bank account recovers.
Yeah, get em while they are still cheap. Some are found at giveaway prices. That M69-A was minty and grooved. Shipped for $355 and believe me, that is cheap. Big Larry
November 7, 2015

Been studying the red book lately, Larry. I’m inclined to agree.
TXGunNut said
Been studying the red book lately, Larry. I’m inclined to agree.
Perusing Gun Intl. yesterday, I spotted an overpriced M72. Not a M72-A, in really great condition. The M72’s are very hard to find. Even the “A’s” are getting difficult to find. I pulled the plug on it as the guy offered me free shipping. One more hole filled. I have a beautiful, grooved M72-A with a Weaver scope, and could not let this one go by. Big Larry
Congrats! The Model 72 was made from 1938-1952 when the designation was changed from 72 to 72A. There were significantly more 72’s made than 72A’s.
It sounds like you just need the 72 Gallery Gun and 72 dual sight models to round out your collection.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
Congrats! The Model 72 was made from 1938-1952 when the designation was changed from 72 to 72A. There were significantly more 72’s made than 72A’s.It sounds like you just need the 72 Gallery Gun and 72 dual sight models to round out your collection.
Regards,
I would rather get one of each model before getting into the rifles with scopes and Gallery 22 shorts. After firing my M56 in 22 short, I became much less interested in the 22 short caliber. Reminds me of a pellet gun. I have a M 1885 with a fat #3 bbl. in 22 short. Set triggers and all that, and I wonder “why?”
Big Larry
Big Larry said
I have a M 1885 with a fat #3 bbl. in 22 short. Set triggers and all that, and I wonder “why?”
Big Larry
Gallery shooting, indoors at 25 yds. Or for shooting Grackles out of your bird feeder, which is what I use my #3 wt Stevens for, which also has a full-length Stevens scope.
My first gun (which I still have) was M.24 Rem. in Short; with Rem. Rocket HV Shorts, I’d have faced a wild-boar.
Big Larry said
I would rather get one of each model before getting into the rifles with scopes and Gallery 22 shorts.
Big Larry
I understand completely, that is how I got started down the evil path of Winchester .22 addiction.
You innocently start with one of each type (pump, bolt, lever, auto, etc.) then quickly move on to one of each pre-64 model (1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 99, 1906, 47, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, 77, etc.) and then realize you should probably also have an 1873 in .22 and an 1885.
By this time you are hooked and decide what the heck, might as well get all the “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” model variants also since that is only a few more rifles (02A, 04A, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 60A, 60A Target, 62A, 67A, 69A, 72A, etc.).
Then you realize you forgot the sporters and by this time are in way too deep to quit (52B Sporter, 52C Sporter and 75 Sporter). Dang those things are expensive!
By now you have been judged certifiably crazy by the rest of the Winchester community and decide to go completely nuts and collect all the sub-variations also (standard barrel, heavy barrel, bull barrel, octagon barrel, deluxe stocks, factory sight variations, special order features, factory scoped rifles, youth models, gallery guns, factory engraved rifles, boxed sets, etc.).
And then, when you finally get to my level of lunacy, you are collecting every documented manufacturing variation of every catalogued Winchester .22 rim fire model. I think that task will take me the rest of my life (and all my retirement income).
So, I hear what you are saying and know EXACTLY where you are on the addiction scale. I am just saying it gets worse my friend.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
Big Larry said
I would rather get one of each model before getting into the rifles with scopes and Gallery 22 shorts.
Big LarryI understand completely, that is how I got started down the evil path of Winchester .22 addiction.
You innocently start with one of each type (pump, bolt, lever, auto, etc.) then quickly move on to one of each pre-64 model (1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 99, 1906, 47, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, 77, etc.) and then realize you should probably also have an 1873 in .22 and an 1885.
By this time you are hooked and decide what the heck, might as well get all the “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” model variants also since that is only a few more rifles (02A, 04A, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 60A, 60A Target, 62A, 67A, 69A, 72A, etc.).
Then you realize you forgot the sporters and by this time are in way too deep to quit (52B Sporter, 52C Sporter and 75 Sporter). Dang those things are expensive!
By now you have been judged certifiably crazy by the rest of the Winchester community and decide to go completely nuts and collect all the sub-variations also (standard barrel, heavy barrel, bull barrel, octagon barrel, deluxe stocks, factory sight variations, special order features, factory scoped rifles, youth models, gallery guns, factory engraved rifles, boxed sets, etc.).
And then, when you finally get to my level of lunacy, you are collecting every documented manufacturing variation of every catalogued Winchester .22 rim fire model. I think that task will take me the rest of my life (and all my retirement income).
So, I hear what you are saying and know EXACTLY where you are on the addiction scale. I am just saying it gets worse my friend.
Best Regards,
Yes, but at 74, the years will catch up to me long before I have all the standards. I think just about the hardest rifle I will be seeking is a NICE Thumb Trigger. I had one once and my BIL owns it today. His Grandkids love to shoot it. I have a good start on the rifles, you have seen most of them, but I refuse to sell any of my lever guns or handguns to get more $$$, so I take them as they come. Get that book done Sir !!!! Your buddy, Larry
clarence said
Big Larry said
I have a M 1885 with a fat #3 bbl. in 22 short. Set triggers and all that, and I wonder “why?”
Big Larry
Gallery shooting, indoors at 25 yds. Or for shooting Grackles out of your bird feeder, which is what I use my #3 wt Stevens for, which also has a full-length Stevens scope.
My first gun (which I still have) was M.24 Rem. in Short; with Rem. Rocket HV Shorts, I’d have faced a wild-boar.
A couple of friends donated some 22 shorts for me to test the M1885, but, it seems I had very little time to drive up the road to my private range to shoot it.
I would imagine they would shoot a little farther away accurately than 25 yards, but not much farther. They were built for standard loads and most all you see are high speed, but a friend sent me some standard loads and I swear I will get to shooting this fine rifle as soon as it warms up again. No scope, just the standard Sporting rear, a Mid Range Vernier, and a M67 Globe. All in the factory letter. Thanks Clarence. Big Larry
JWA said
I understand completely, that is how I got started down the evil path of Winchester .22 addiction.
You innocently start with one of each type (pump, bolt, lever, auto, etc.) then quickly move on to one of each pre-64 model (1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 99, 1906, 47, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, 77, etc.) and then realize you should probably also have an 1873 in .22 and an 1885.
By this time you are hooked and decide what the heck, might as well get all the “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” model variants also since that is only a few more rifles (02A, 04A, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 60A, 60A Target, 62A, 67A, 69A, 72A, etc.).
Then you realize you forgot the sporters and by this time are in way too deep to quit (52B Sporter, 52C Sporter and 75 Sporter). Dang those things are expensive!
By now you have been judged certifiably crazy by the rest of the Winchester community and decide to go completely nuts and collect all the sub-variations also (standard barrel, heavy barrel, bull barrel, octagon barrel, deluxe stocks, factory sight variations, special order features, factory scoped rifles, youth models, gallery guns, factory engraved rifles, boxed sets, etc.).
And then, when you finally get to my level of lunacy, you are collecting every documented manufacturing variation of every catalogued Winchester .22 rim fire model. I think that task will take me the rest of my life (and all my retirement income).
So, I hear what you are saying and know EXACTLY where you are on the addiction scale. I am just saying it gets worse my friend.
Best Regards,
Dang it. You know what this message is? It just became a challenge, seeing it all spelled out like that. Bye bye 401k.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
supergimp said
Dang it. You know what this message is? It just became a challenge, seeing it all spelled out like that. Bye bye 401k.
Steve
It is absolutely not a challenge but simply a roadmap to ruin……… 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Big Larry said
A couple of friends donated some 22 shorts for me to test the M1885, but, it seems I had very little time to drive up the road to my private range to shoot it.
I would imagine they would shoot a little farther away accurately than 25 yards, but not much farther. They were built for standard loads and most all you see are high speed, but a friend sent me some standard loads and I swear I will get to shooting this fine rifle as soon as it warms up again. No scope, just the standard Sporting rear, a Mid Range Vernier, and a M67 Globe. All in the factory letter. Thanks Clarence. Big Larry
Larry,
Winchester manufactured a fair number of their high-end Schuetzen Rifles in 22 Short, and the standard competition was 100-yards… offhand! Thus far, I have surveyed 100 Schuetzen Rifles in 22 Short, and nearly that many in 22 Long Rifle. The pictures below show one of them in full glory.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
JWA said
Big Larry said
I would rather get one of each model before getting into the rifles with scopes and Gallery 22 shorts.
Big LarryI understand completely, that is how I got started down the evil path of Winchester .22 addiction.
You innocently start with one of each type (pump, bolt, lever, auto, etc.) then quickly move on to one of each pre-64 model (1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 99, 1906, 47, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, 77, etc.) and then realize you should probably also have an 1873 in .22 and an 1885.
By this time you are hooked and decide what the heck, might as well get all the “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” model variants also since that is only a few more rifles (02A, 04A, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 60A, 60A Target, 62A, 67A, 69A, 72A, etc.).
Then you realize you forgot the sporters and by this time are in way too deep to quit (52B Sporter, 52C Sporter and 75 Sporter). Dang those things are expensive!
By now you have been judged certifiably crazy by the rest of the Winchester community and decide to go completely nuts and collect all the sub-variations also (standard barrel, heavy barrel, bull barrel, octagon barrel, deluxe stocks, factory sight variations, special order features, factory scoped rifles, youth models, gallery guns, factory engraved rifles, boxed sets, etc.).
And then, when you finally get to my level of lunacy, you are collecting every documented manufacturing variation of every catalogued Winchester .22 rim fire model. I think that task will take me the rest of my life (and all my retirement income).
So, I hear what you are saying and know EXACTLY where you are on the addiction scale. I am just saying it gets worse my friend.
Best Regards,
Jeff,
You are severely lacking until you own a Model 1885 Schuetzen Rifle in 22 Long Rifle or 22 Short… see my previous post for drooling material.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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