I have a chance to trade for a Winchester Model 54 30-06 rifle.I was just wonder if anyone could give me some info on them.Thanks in advance

Yote:

All I know is I have one in great shape with a 1932 Zeiss scope on it on layaway at a local shop.

My hesitation is not needing another gun, but I sure love historical stuff, or something with a history.

I am paying $400.00 for this one, which I am sure is too much.
So I chalk it up to $250.00 for the rifle, and $150.00 for not being able to resist it. This one is made in 1932 and is in 30/06.

Now if it was just made in 257 Roberts instead! or 8mm Mauser or 7.65 x 53, or some other uncommon chambering.

Cheers and Good shooting
seafire

They are a neat rifle and are the pre runner of the great M-70...I have owned and hunted with a number of Win 54s in 30-06, 270 and even a 9.3x62 that I built up...You really need a M-70 safty conversion if you intend to shoot them with a scope...but they are great with iron sights just like they come or with a peep sight..They feel right in the hands, they are trim, sleek and handy...

I really like mine. I shot it as an '06 but converted it to a 30-338 which I use much of the time when hunting deer here on the coast. It is lightweight even with a L. varixII 2x7. The stock is plain except for the schnable but overall a very handi rifle.
I don't feel 400 is too much if it is clean, shoots and you like it.
Frank

I have one in 30-30 Win. and I wouldn't part with it for a large amount of cash. It's all original, but the stock needs to be refinished and the checkering redone. For those who say a 30-30 cannot be accurate, they should try one in an M54.
We have a small group that has a weekly cast bullet shooting contest, and they've banned my M54 from the competiton. The only thing you have to get used to is the double stage trigger. I could replace it in mine, but as it is all original and in a rather rare caliber, I'll leave it be.
Paul B.

Gosh, Seafire - I don't often disagree with you, BUT



I think you are stealing that M54 with the Zeiss scope!



I love M54's and consider them one of the all-time great American sporters. I have owned 4 of them in .30-30 Winchester, 1 in .270, 1 in 7x57 Mauser, and a .22 Hornet Super Grade (with a Malcolm scope) over the years. All were great rifles. All ended up belonging to someone else because THEY thought so too and bugged me until I sold whichever one they wanted, to them.



Some folks don't like the fact that the trigger was also the bolt stop. Well tough as that may be, it never seemed to hurt mine any.... Others don't like the bottom metal. Well, heck, if they can't keep the muzzle pointed in safe direction at all times, I guess that MAY be a hazard, but I don't blame the rifles for human carelessness...



If you've ever really lusted after a reliable, improved, classic Springfield semi-custom sporter, that's essentially what a M54 is...



Anyway, I guess I should change my approach and say things like "They're a rotten rifle. Never pay over $50 for one. Don't let a girl you really like ever know you ever had one." And anything else I can to keep the price from going up even more than it has in the last 3 years or so. I'd still like to be able to afford some more before I kick off this weary planet....



AC

Passed up a 54 in .250-3000 for $800 a few months ago,
wish I would have bought it, alot cheaper than a M70 in
that caliber.

I picked up a 30 Govt 06 (hard to beat that designation) 54 with a ser# 11xxx putting date of manufacture in 1926 for $300 and I love it. The history in that rifle must be something, it's smooth as any rifle I own and I love the stock design. It had the buhler safety conversion who knows how long ago and it works flawlessly with a scope though I'm currently on the hunt for a Lyman 48wjs to restore it to its original configuration. If you can get the rifle for what you say and there are no glaring problems with it, please buy it and count yourself lucky. You can clean up the trigger release relatively easily but, in my opinion, you should not replace it. Mine functions very well and the rifle would not be the same without it. I will never part with mine.