doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Older Lever - 1871, 1886, others?

Chukarman,
That would be a super easy choice for me. I'd take the first one without a second thought over the second one.

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe I'll get BOTH. I have a couple days to think about it.

I'm with Brent. I'd take the first gun without question. The 2nd gun might be fun to shoot, but if you tire of it, it will be a lot tougher to find the next buyer at that price. The first gun will likely continue to go up in value if cared for.

I'm convinced. This is a 'Deluxe' rifle in nearly mint shape and comes with 100 rounds of .348 Win ammunition. I called the seller and we agreed to a deal. Sorry, Brent. I know the pain of missing out on a gun that you have been searching for.

that .348 will kill anything that moves. Good choice! Now, what style of rear sight does it have? The receiver sight or does it ride on the bolt? The latter can have some durability issues so, as I heard it, the receiver sight was used on later versions because it held up better. Not sure if this is true, but that's the story from someone that had one.

As for missing out, don't grieve for me, I'm about to put down a bid on something I really "need".

Brent -- the rifle has a Williams rear peep sight mounted on the side of the receiver. It comes with the original factory sights and hood for the front ramp sight. Also has factory sling swivels.

I can't remember what receiver sight came with the later rifles. Might have been Lyman but I don't recall. May have been Williams.

I turned into a Marlin man, so I lost track of Winchesters, but there was a day when I held one in my hands and for just $1000, it could have been, should have been, mine.

Brent, I did the same thing. I found a minty Model 71 that was a last year gun in NIB type condition, and at $1000. Since I wasn't into them I foolishly passed on it, and called a friend I thought might appreciate it. He ran right over and bought it, and then turned around and sold it for double the money.
I got that, "why didn't I do that?" thought, and still regret not doing the same thing!

The Williams isn't a bad sight, but I'd keep my eyes peeled for a Lyman or Redfield receiver sight to go on such a fine rifle. Either would be a great improvement to the 71.

I may have a Lyman 48 around here somewhere. I may find it when I am packing to move to Arizona. I definitely don't want to be drilling any holes in this gun...