I've been looking around for a used Model 70 for a couple months and ran across one that I have a couple questions about. It is a classic featherweight in .308 with fixed sights. I really don't remember seeing fixed sights on a featherweight. Were fixed sights ever offered from the factory?

The gun is in 95+ percent condition, probably closer to 98. I really don't know a lot about judging guns, I just know it looks practically new. They are asking $499 for the gun which is only about $50 +/- what I could buy it for new. What would be a fair price for me to offer them for this gun?

Oh yeah, the gun also has a set of Leupold quick release bases installed. No rings.

Thanks.

Yes, Winchester did offer the featherweight with sights quite some years ago. I would have to go through my back catalogs to determine what year. It also came with sling swivels, I believe at the same time. My guess would be in the very late 1980's.

It also could be a Ranger model with a feather weight stock on it. Some of the Ranger's came with bottom metal and they had the same barrel contour as the feather wieghts and they had iron sights. Either way $499 is pretty steep for a 95% gun. If I really wanted it, I'd offer $300 and wouldn't pay any more than $350 for it. I assume we're talking about a push-feed model 70. In all honesty, I'd opt for the newer controlled feed action.



Terry

TC1,
The gun is a newer CRF Classic. And like I said, it is probably a 98 percent or better gun, I've just never read up on how to judge 'em.

Darin

A beat up gun that can be had new for just a little more money does not seem like a good idea. Who knows what else is wrong with it besides what you see?

A new gun has at least a one year warrantee. That's the way to go unless the price is much lower.

Only you can judge if you think it is worth the asking price or more. I have bought a lot of used guns, and had good luck with them. I just make sure if it is a lemon, I can unload it for what I paid for it. However, that has never happened, I end up repairing them, and usually for not bad of a price. I bought a Win Featherweight in 30/06 with a shot out barrel for $300.00. It had a factory laminate stock on it, and had had a trigger job, and a nice recoil pad installed. Everyone told me I was nuts since the barrel was shot out.

To me it was a nice looking rifle. So I spent $300.00 and had it rebarreled to a 6.5 x 55 with a 27 inch barrel. It is a nice looking rifle and shoots fantastic. I have had a few rifle nuts offer me $1,000 to $1250.00 for it.

If the featherweight has sites on it, my take it is may be a left over version they ship to the Euro or world market. If you look on Winchester's European web site all of the featherweights and Model 70s come with open sites in those markets.

Some times distributors will pick up excess production cheap.

I have seen in Montana and here in Oregon, single models of Brand New Rugers that are odd. The one in Montana was a stainless steel, gray laminated stocked, Ruger Number One in 7/08. It had complete factory markings on the barrel etc.
New in the box. They got one shipped in and they had not ordered it,but kept it.

A local gun shop here also had a brand new factory Ruger Number One with the same stainless steel receiver, gray laminated stock, and a matt black factory barrel on it in 30/06.

Odd balls, but they are around.

Cheers and good shooting
seafire

I currently have 8 featherweights in the safe. Two have open sights. Yes, one is a CRF and the other is a pushfeed. It has been a few years, but featherweights were made with open sights.
You can tell it isn't a Ranger model by the "featherweight" stamping on the barrel, and of course, the featherweight stock.
Prices vary market to market, according to the buyer, of course. A very nice used model around here brings about $400, maybe $450 in a hard to find caliber. (308 does not qualify). I've bought lots of used 70's over the years, and sometimes like them much better than factory new. Don't worry about warranty - you can send a 70 back to Winchester anytime for repair free of charge. (Assuming it was their problem, and you didn't drag it behind the truck.)

It sounds like you like the rifle, and I clearly agree. I'd offer $400, and know I could get out of the rifle if I wanted to. BTW, one of the featherweights I have with sights is in 308, and it is extremely accurate. My 308 rifle is not for sale at twice the price.

Good luck,

Bill