I'm looking at a Winchester model 54 dtd 1929 in 30-06. Asking price is $500. Rifle appears in very good condition in the pictures and from the description.

What do I need to know about these rifles? Can a scope be mounted?

The safety of a 54 swings over the top like a military Mauser. Also they have a trigger that feels like a milsurp Mauser with lots of take up and fairly stiff.
You could probably mount a scout scope on one but why bugger up a classic when you could get a newer Rem or Win or whatever for the same price?

Early 54 safeties were like Mausers, later models were a sideswing type.

The front ring is Drilled & Tapped, the rear not but the side of the bridge is drilled & tapped for a receiver sight but older B&L bases mounted to the same holes as the receiver sight. Biggest issue is that the bolt handle itself isn't designed to clear a low scope like a model 70 handle is. That said, I really like the 54's.

A nice 54 with a receiver sight makes a sweet rifle.

54's have about the smoothest action of any rifle, but 500 would have to be totally original and in at least VG condition.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
54's have about the smoothest action of any rifle, but 500 would have to be totally original and in at least VG condition.

He started asking $650 but didn't have any takers. I've only seen pictures so can't vouch for the condition. If it was a 270, I'd jump on it!

If you want the rifle it's worth 500 dollars; a receiver sight on it would be a classy rig and work in the woods. I don't think I've ever taken a shot over two hundred yards on a deer (that I've hit ).

54's have a charger slot milled in them, you know...

Jus' sayin.

I'd buy it.

The one I picked up for $500 was a .30-30 with a Lyman long slide 48 on it. I'll never let that one go.

Around here, the '06's and .270's don't last long at between $600 and $650. If I saw an '06 for $500 I'd be hard pressed not to buy it.

54s come in two varieties: unmolested, collectibles and guns altered to suit somewhere along the line. You ought to know which variety you have in front of you, and be clear as to your intentions.

If you're looking for a rifle to use in the field you might skip the collectible examples, unless you are willing to stick to the peep. Attaching a scope involves more than just drilling the front ring. You need to tackle the safety, possibly reduce stock drop (your call), and maybe do some more work on the bolt handle. Feeling flush? Add a swingdown floorplate and/or install a single stage trigger. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars turning a $550 collectible 97% .30-06 into a $350 shooter. In the end you would have been better off buying a pre-64 M-70 that someone else sanded and revarnished, or drilled for bbl mount, or on which there's an aftermarket pad.

I've had one of each. I sold the 99% original condition gun and kept the G&H modified and sideplated gun. No regrets. I really like 54s, have no trouble managing a two stage trigger (gosh, Anschutz 1712 silhouette .22s come with to die for 2 stage triggers - the horror). 54 triggers I've checked are not all that horrible, though not prewar M-70 crisp. And my '06 will still put 5 in 1" at 100 with 180s. Not too bad for 1933. Sam

In the early 1970s I picked up a Model 54 in 30-06 that a side safety. The bolt had already been turned and it was tapped and wearing a scope. I paid $220 for it back then and it was a wonderful rifle. Used it for several years and when my son got married it (and a 12 gauge shotgun, and a 22 RF) were part of his wedding present. I figured he could hunt anything in North America with those three.

He replaced the old scope on it with a Luepold V1 2X7 and that old rifle is a dream to shoot. Trigger is about 4# not difficult to shoot.

My belief is that a $500 Model 54 in good condition (good barrel)is probably worth it - even if altered - if you are looking for a good shooter.

Barstooler

quote:

He replaced the old scope on it with a Luepold V1 2X7

The 2X7 is a great choice, still.