My dealer's pushing sales by telling people that this is their LAST CHANCE to buy model 70s. He may be in for the quick profit and I cannot rely on him to make my decision. On the other hand, if it is true that they will no longer be made or made as well as today, then maybe I should give in and buy a few. What a great excuse!

Unfortunately, I prefer SS and current LH model 70s only come blued. I could always coat them...

So, out of curiosity, are any of you rushing out to buy right now?

"IF" I buy now, what should I get? Maybe a new .375 H&H? He has only one left. hmmm...

Nope. Not going anywhere near them. If I need a new rifle, it will be a CZ or a Ruger.

I put 2 "classic" (CRF) on layaway - I'll see how things transpire and go from there. They had especially nice wood. One was a standard FW (243) and the other a super grade in 7RM. I'm not really their biggest fan, except for the pre-64s. But I'd buy a Win long before a Ruger. At every shop I frequent, the 77 has by far the largest proportion of returns for service. And my personal experience with Ruger is entirely consistent with this fact... JMO...

hang loose and see what the market is going to do. by buying now would only help to drive the market up and maybe a false up.

I bought 6 in the last two days but four were ones I was planning on buying anyhow.

I'm betting that CDNN will have the model 70s at firesale prices in a couple of months.

I have always liked Winchester rifles. The fit and feel have always been great. But, I have had a Coyote Lite 22-250 for a week and a half, and it's for sale. Won't shoot anything better than 1 1/2 inch.

With the thought of losing their job looming overhead, I wonder what the Quality Control would be like at New Haven. I am fairly sure that the factory and naming rights will be purchased by another company, at which point you may be paying extra for nothing. If you have the urge I would consider buying one that is about 5 years old or so, seems as though quality has been better than the newer ones. If the factory does shut down, your service options and warranty would be limited anyways.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Willie B:
I have always liked Winchester rifles. The fit and feel have always been great. But, I have had a Coyote Lite 22-250 for a week and a half, and it's for sale. Won't shoot anything better than 1 1/2 inch.

If it is something you like otherwise, a re-bedding job or a McMillan Sotck will probably cure the ills. Seems like the last to winnies I bought had poor bedding jobs.

John

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
Nope. Not going anywhere near them. If I need a new rifle, it will be a CZ or a Ruger.

CZ Ruger

I like Model 70 Classic Super Grades and presently own two of them. However, I would not pay a premium for them in the future. CZ rifles are well made and can take up the slack. There is also the action marketed by the Montana Rifleman which is very similiar to the Model 70. Nevertheless, Winchester will be missed.

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
Nope. Not going anywhere near them. If I need a new rifle, it will be a CZ or a Ruger.

More or less, unless the price is right.

I just called my dealer to see what he could get in LH M70s. He buys from several distributers. No standard actions were left. (1) LH 300 win mag.........which is now in route for me. And several WSMs. He said that people are buying them up like mad. So if you want one, buy soon.

I also read that some distribiters are "re-pricing" the available stock to take advantage of the demand.

I picked up a transfer rifle (AR sale) last night from my FFL, and the model 70 racks were mighty thin. Only a handful left, one used CRF 7mm-08 FW and a few new WSMs and WSSMs. They had 25-30 of them two days ago...

Same story at the other dealers I frequent...

It may or may not be rational, but it appears to be happening nonethless...

Iron Buck
There are still several LH Standard Classic models available from some distributors. We have several in 7mm Rem Mag and 30-06 as well as the WSM calibers. Have your dealer call Sports South Inc. For the record SSI does not change prices. The prices will remain fixed.

Do you have a number for ssi?

CDNN increased their price's on Model 70's!

I don't know how much I have in the slush fund (2 1/2 coffee cans filled up with change).

I was saving for a M70 in 338 Win Mag or a M70 Safari in 375 H&H. The announcement of the plant closing has put this plan in indefinite hold. I learned from milsurp collecting that it is best to let the dust settle, THEN go looking. I won't get hung up on the hype surrounding Winchester's fate.

I have a 1906 M1897 shotgun, I'll be trolling the gunstores today for a pre-64 M94. The old Winchester's are still the best.

This is my opinion. Your opinion may vary.

ZM

quote:

Originally posted by aktoklat:
Iron Buck
There are still several LH Standard Classic models available from some distributors. We have several in 7mm Rem Mag and 30-06 as well as the WSM calibers. Have your dealer call Sports South Inc. For the record SSI does not change prices. The prices will remain fixed.

Question for you. I been trying to buy one of the Sporter III LH in 300 WSM for over a month. I see lots of Featherweights LH in this caliber but no sporter III. Was the Sporter III LH ever made?
I also picked up a W70 Classic stainless in 375. It could be good for bartering down the road<S>/

I am buying three.

I got a Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5 x 55
a Model 70 safari in .375H&H and a Model 70 in .416 Rem. The 6.5 I was buying before this all happened but the other two were impulse buys. If Winchester keeps the business going, the big bores were future purchases anyway. I just decided that I might as well get them now so I don't have to worry about the future.

I was fortunate to find a lefty M70 in 375 on Wedenesday! Hoping to do my first African safari in '07!! Should get me off to a good start!!

Huntr

There are quite a few LH 375's around and on Gunbrokers. I suspect Winchester made a recent run of them. Buy em while you can cause I would bet even if they do start production again these will not be made for a long time.

I just ordered one of the last LH 30-06s in Canada. Quebec has none left, Ontario had two, but with mine being delivered next week, they'll only have one left. Western Canada may have 1, maybe 2.

It would not surprise me if across all of Canada there are only a few, yup, maybe 3 standard cartridge Model 70s left.

My local dealer in Quebec could not even get them from the distributor as they are apparently now being shipped back for sales into the U.S.

It would be interesting to hear what the situation is like where you live...

SNowwolfe, do you still have your LH Stainless Classic for sale? If so, I might like to buy it from you. Please P.M. me the details. I found an FFL dealer that would do the paperwork to export to Canada.

Talking to 2 Gunshops here in Aus, there has been quite a bit of interest in the model 70s with at least one dealer selling them strongly. I have been trying to find a 458 Win Mag here but have had no luck. I have a 416RM and a Stainless 375 and would have loved a 458 to complete the trio.

Didnt Winchester go out of buisness in 64??

I expect the dust to settle in a few months. I picked up a 300 WSM ultimate shadow ss camo for the wife and 2 300 ultras for me before I heard about Winchester closing.

I plan on picking up more mod 70 300 ultras as I find them and maybe a 308 ss classic if the price is right. If the mod 70's start demanding a premium price I'll go with MRC 1999's.

No. I have a custom M70 Classic in .300 Wby that does what I need for medium game. I also have a M70 pushfeed .223 Rem and a blackburn bottom metal for it for a future varmint rifle project in the safe. I'm good. After this all shakes out used prices will be back to pre-shutdown prices, I think. I would really like to aquire another .270 WCF SuperGrade,but I'm not desperate for it. The WSM's never appealed to me.

I just returned from Sportsman's Warehouse in Southaven. They had two real FWT's. one in .270WIN and one in 6.5X55 both were $608.00. They had about 5 or 6 WSM's of various calibers in FWT stocks for $618.00 apiece and a few LT sporters for $589.00. They had lots of plastic/SS rifles left but I didn't bother to look at those.

I went ahead and bought the 6.5X55 featherweight. I always' wanted one and this might be my last chance. Who knows, It seemed like the thing to do at the time and the price seemed fair enough.

Terry

I've got a NIB Mod. 70 featherweight in 30-06 if anybody is interested, I'll set a good price, just want a quick sale, as I need the cash. e-mail me gbrowne@spro.net

Greg

Guess I shouilda bought a RR car load of the M70 Africans in .458 Win. back when the Rod & Gun Club at Erding AF Station in Germany was selling them for $75.00, back in 1956.....