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The luck of the Irish hit me again last night. Anyone who knows me, knows my affinity for Winchester 22’s. Not quite as bad as my buddy JWA though. Gunbroker auction had a very nice M1904, not an 04 or 04A, but an early M1904. Great bluing still present and 100% correct, BUT, a not so perfect bore. Quite common in these old single shots. Late enough for proof marks too. I figure 1914 is about right for this rifle. No one bid against me so I got this nice rifle for $375+ shipping. OK, now all I need is a M1903 to complete my set of 22’s. Lots of those around. Do not intend on buying a M1873 22 rifle. Too expensive. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Congrats, looking forward to hearing more about it when it arrives.
Congratulations Big Larry! I can’t wait to see more pictures of it, too!
James
Have a Favorite with a bore so rough you’d think the bullet would turn into bird-shot before it left the barrel; yet I can hit an 18″ square steel target at 150 yds pretty consistently from a sitting position. Couldn’t do better if it had a mint bore, because I’d still be shooting it at the same target.
Of Winchester’s “boys rifles,” the one I’ve been most tempted by is the 1904, because they can still be had for somewhat less than an arm and a leg. Have looked at them on GB many times, but what always causes me to back off are the sights, and the impossibility of mounting a tang sight such as I have on the Favorite and all my singleshots. I wouldn’t want one to pile up in the safe, but one to shoot, which for me is impossible with the factory sights.
If the bore on this gun turns out to be unshootable (which I doubt!), it can always be relined, but I can think of no remedy for the sights.
November 7, 2015
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One thing a bore scope has taught me it that an ugly bore, while not capable of benchrest accuracy, is often capable of acceptable plinking accuracy. I’ve found as long as lands and grooves are somewhat well defined for the length of the bore it should be capable of 3-5″ groups @ 100 yds, sometimes better. My latest 32WCF will be an interesting test of this theory; lands are bright but grooves are a bit rough.
I have a M1890 in 22 Long with a bad bore and it shoots very well. I guess that as long as the bullet spins it will be somewhat OK. I pride myself on my collection as to have nice bores, but sometimes it just does not happen. Out of 150 guns I have, 4 have bad bores. All rifles. none of my handguns have bad bores.
I have found the 32-20 to be an extremely accurate cartridge at 100 yds with open sights. I have a real nice M53 in 32 WCF and have some reloads. I will test it out when it warms up a bit.
The best thing about the M04 is the “A” model in 22 LR. but I wound up with the M1904 in 22S,L, and Extra Long. I have a M58 in 22 LR and am dying to try that one out. So far, my best shooting kids gun is my M60A Sporter. Big Larry
That M1904 looks very good Larry, it is so hard to get even a decent example of these early boy’s rifles.
They tended to be used hard, put away wet and the early ammunition (priming actually) did them no favours.
I have parcel with two M 02s and a M 60A coming, “pigs in pokes” but the barrels are said to be good. At the worst spare screws and parts.
We live in hope.
I have been quite lucky in my search for Winchester 22 rifles. Most of the bores are near 100%. The M1900 I just bought looks like a shotgun bore,
but the outside is great. The Thumb Trigger, M02, M06, M60-A Sporter, the M59, and M58, all have great bores as do most all my guns. I had to lower my standards as these old rifles are getting real hard to find in any condition. Big Larry
I too have a love for these old single shots. I picked one up that most collectors would just write off because of the modifications, but I thought it had personality. I can imagine a dad fixing up a gun for his son. Excellent inside and out, but the peep sight and Swiss butt sold me. I thought $325 was fair.
Roger Baker said
I too have a love for these old single shots. I picked one up that most collectors would just write off because of the modifications, but I thought it had personality. I can imagine a dad fixing up a gun for his son. Excellent inside and out, but the peep sight and Swiss butt sold me. I thought $325 was fair.
That is certainly a unique 1904! I would not have passed on that one either.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Roger Baker said
I picked one up that most collectors would just write off because of the modifications, but I thought it had personality.
Not me–I like it BETTER; only wish I’d seen it first! The location of the peep is really a little too far forward for easiest use, but still an improvement over the factory sight.
I think I will D&T mine when it gets here Thursday and scope it with a 30X STS. Big Larry
Roger,
The nickel plated Swiss butt plate is worth what you paid for the entire rifle. I personally would call it a “Pimped” Model 1904.
Your contentious buddy,
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hey Clarence, you are right on about the peep sight. I bought that little jewel before my eyes started aging and I could get that little hole lined up with the front bead, no trouble! Now, with progressive trifocals, it is all a blur. So now I just fondle it from time to time. To some extent I am mostly a “Winchester Hoarder” as opposed to a real ‘collector’. I do gravitate to the unusual more than the pristine. Its cost effective and fun for me, but not extremely intelligent. I use the “Buy what you like, you may have to keep it”, rule.
Roger B
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