I have heard a lot about getting pre '64 Winchesters on this forum. What makes them better than post '64 rifles. Also is a pre-war winchester the same thing.

Pre '64 Mod 70 Winchesters were produced from 1936 to 1963. Collectors generally consider them from one of three manufacturing periods - "Pre-War" (1936-1941) "transition" (1942-1948) and "Latter" (1949-1963). Winchester marketed it as the "Rifleman Rifle" which helped to hype it. The bolt action rifles held either 4 or 5 cartridges and featured controlled round feed, which was discontinued in 1963 when they switched to a push feed action. It took Winchester almost 30 years to realize the public loved it's controlled round feed and reintroduced it in 1994 with the tag "Classic" to designate the difference.

bmpregler,

There is nothing better about the Pre-64 Model 70s. In fact, they are junk. Don't buy or attempt to buy any of these rifles. Trust me.

Tim

(I have 8 of them and I want to buy more but the prices keep going up. We don't need any more Pre-64 buyers, we need more sellers)

Hey Shumba, you still got that bridge for sale or did you find a su , uh, buyer?
LOL
regards,
hm

hm1996,

Sold the last bridge to the French government, those guys will believe anything. But I have more.

Just trying to get the word out to the people about how bad the Pre-64 M70's are. I don't want anyone to get stuck with these things like I have. Remember everyone, Pre-64 M70's are bad bad bad, stay away (at least until I buy another 5 more or so)

Tim

Oh Yes- I agree stay away from pre-64 Winchesters particularily super grades and .375's. If you spot one, run and call me and I'll deal with it! No need for you to get your hands dirty with one !-Rob

Well....

Problems with pre-64's:

1. The metallurgy is not as good as old mausers or new model 70's, so they are more likely to blow in the event of a pressure problem.

2. They did not handle escaping gas well, resulting in shooter injury in some cases. Mausers did a better job.

3. They were not made in good calibers like 9.3 x 62, 458 lott, 470 capstick, 404 jeff, etc.

500 Grs,

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but you are a little nitpickey IMHO...

Properly handloaded, one will never have a problem with a pre-64 M-70...I'm a true Mauser fan but my second choice is the Pre 64 M-70..and for a Magnum caliber I prefer it to the Mauser...Also if cost is a factor, then the m-70 will shine...

Give credit, where credit is due.

Old Betsy (top)

Theory is theory and BS is BS. I have more than a hundred pre-64 model 70"s in one form or another. I load and have rifles in most of the calibers that will fit on its tight action. I have yet to see and example of a blown up action or anyone hurt by one. I can give the names and numbers of several blow ups on Mauser and Remington actioned rifles. Trust me on this .If you want a fine working rifle and a work of art go the Custom Gunmakers guild show and see how many bolt action rifles are made from actions other than Pre-64/classic model 70's and Mauser/clone actions. Not many!!!! I go every ear and have thousands of pictures but never a Ruger or Remington (exception J.Belk this year). Bored I guess! There was a rumor that Pre-64 rifles often cracked in the front receiver ring. I have seen one and it cracked when the fool tried to take out an original barrel and torqued the action----It cracked and warped. They are not fool proof.
lb404

[ 03-20-2003, 07:17: Message edited by: lb404 ]

lb404

Not every Pinto blew up. Just those that got hit in the tank. They are still a liability. The most piece of shit action will work fine unless it is overpressurized. Sorry to point out the model 70's weakness in the areas of gas handling and metallurgy, but it remains the fact.

Theory is theory and BS is still BS. More than good enough is the issue here.
lb404

500,
There is some truth to what you say and I have seen the results of blown M-70's and blown Mausers. Mausers don't blow, M-70's do....

If one were to blow, I'd take the Mauser everytime because it will puff up, split in the worse case, but a M-70 of different metalurgy and being more brittle will sharpnel scatter, and that ain't good...

I do, however, consider the M-70 a very capable rifle and the second best action in the world...I agree the Mauser is a better action in its best form..albiet it costs considerable more to properly convert...and it may or may not work best with original or near original calibers, but that is dependent on the smith more than the action......

I don't own any but the pre 64 model 70s have quite possibly the smoothest and best feeling action of any bolt action rifle. They don't look too bad either.