15 January 2011, 14:51
8x57 ISMarlin/Westernfield Cal. 30-30 Mod 740
Could anybody help me with information and details referring this rifle. Qualtity, reliability, accuracy??
Like you see I'm not an expert in lever action guns
15 January 2011, 19:31
swampshooterThese rifles were made by Marlin and sold by a major hardware store in the U.S. during the 20 years or so after WW II. Reliability is just as good as any other Marlin lever action. Having owned and shot numerous Winchester and Marlin lever actions I would rate them at least equal to the Winchester 94. Most lever guns are slightly less accurate than bolt actions on the average, although still plenty good enough to hunt with. Quality and reliability are excellent. In the U.S. resale of used firearms with store brands stamped on them normally run slightly less than if they had the manufacturers brand on them. PS. I think that Westernfield was Western Auto's brand, but I'm not certain.
15 January 2011, 19:41
swampshooterI just checked another source. Westernfield was a Montgomery Ward brand. They were a major chain department store which I think still sells by online catalog but no longer has brick and mortar stores. Mail-order sales of firearms is now against the law in the US. so there aren't currently any firearms of this brand available to my knowledge.
15 January 2011, 23:25
8x57 ISquote:
Originally posted by swampshooter:
These rifles were made by Marlin and sold by a major hardware store in the U.S. during the 20 years or so after WW II. Reliability is just as good as any other Marlin lever action. Having owned and shot numerous Winchester and Marlin lever actions I would rate them at least equal to the Winchester 94. Most lever guns are slightly less accurate than bolt actions on the average, although still plenty good enough to hunt with. Quality and reliability are excellent. In the U.S. resale of used firearms with store brands stamped on them normally run slightly less than if they had the manufacturers brand on them. PS. I think that Westernfield was Western Auto's brand, but I'm not certain.
Thx for your excellent and detailed answer to my question.
Do I understand right that you estimate the time of production/sale between 1945 and 1965??
The seller of the mentioned gun claimed that this modell - due to is time of production ??? - should be of better quality then the newer ones, because the guns at that time were stronger build. It that a fairy tale or is that true.
Another thing is that this lever gun comes with a 4x32 Westernfield scope, any idea who was the manufacturer?? Leupold, Redfield or another one????