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Hello! I’m a relative newcomer to the Winchester world, as well as a newer member of this group. I’ve recently developed a love affair with the 1895, and have acquired a couple in .35 WCF. I also acquired a blank receiver a few months back and I’m seeking advice on how to proceed with it.
The receiver I purchased ended it’s most recent life as a .30-06. According to research done by the museum in Cody, it most likely left the Winchester factory as a .30-03 and was, at some point, rechambered. Somewhere along the way the rifle was parted-out. I want to build the rifle back up, knowing full well that absolutely nothing about it will be original. Parts for the .30-40 seem to be more readily available than parts for the .30-06. With that in mind, I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on which caliber I should build. I’d like to make it a .30-06, but cost and parts availability are definitely a negative factor. I love the .30-40 (I own several Krags) and wouldn’t mind another, but something about changing the caliber yet again almost seems shameful. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
First off welcome. Next you should buy Rob and Brad’s book on the 1895. Reading the book may help answer a lot of your questions. The 30-06 is desirable. The 405 is the most collectable. You will need so many parts it may be better to buy a parts gun or save and buy what you like. You need to understand that building a gun from parts will look like a gun with mismatched finishes. I had a friend that had a 405 that had been put together from parts. This gun was so unsafe to shoot it should have been parted out. Good luck.
Also, the sum cost of the parts will likely outweigh the the cost of a complete well-used, but complete 1895. That’s why people part out the junkers because they make more money on the individual parts than by selling the whole gun intact. Just my take…
Don
Thanks for your input! It was basically an impulse buy, especially seeing as how I already have two. My plan was to just slowly acquire parts over time; however, I’m just now noticing the difference in availability (and cost, as you mentioned) of those parts. Again, I appreciate your opinions. Thanks!
deerhunter said
That’s why people part out the junkers because they make more money on the individual parts than by selling the whole gun intact.
Well, that’s always been true until…Gun Broker & the many (I don’t want to say) stupid, but (shall we say) “inexperienced,” buyers who trade there. In recent years, I’ve seen many beaters sell for more than the sum of their parts. My old gun-show pal “Buck” Buckingham would have considerably more difficulty today piling up the beater Winchesters that in the ’70s & ’80s constituted his stock in trade.
clarence said
deerhunter said
That’s why people part out the junkers because they make more money on the individual parts than by selling the whole gun intact.Well, that’s always been true until…Gun Broker & the many (I don’t want to say) stupid, but (shall we say) “inexperienced,” buyers who trade there. In recent years, I’ve seen many beaters sell for more than the sum of their parts. My old gun-show pal “Buck” Buckingham would have considerably more difficulty today piling up the beater Winchesters that in the ’70s & ’80s constituted his stock in trade.
I remember the days you could buy a 73 for parts at about $600.
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