Am I On The Ledge? If So, Talk Me Down!

[JEBar]

So you're afraid to ding the old Winchester but you want to trade it for a fancy new side gate??? Do you intend to stop shooting altogether?

actually, I don't know if he and I have the same line of thought but I tend to feel the same way .... I have some firearms that have been passed down from my grandfather .... none are fancy, all were used for hunting, all have plenty of "character" .... that said, I'm determined to pass them down in as good or better condition as they were when I received them .... the firearms I've purchased new are all active shooters, all have earned their blemishes .... I don't enjoy putting a ding in their wood, where the same new ding in one of my grandfather's would really bother me .... for that reason, I don't take them out to a range anywhere near as often as I do the ones I purchased

[Old Syko]

So you're afraid to ding the old Winchester but you want to trade it for a fancy new side gate??? Do you intend to stop shooting altogether?

actually, I don't know if he and I have the same line of thought but I tend to feel the same way .... I have some firearms that have been passed down from my grandfather .... none are fancy, all were used for hunting, all have plenty of "character" .... that said, I'm determined to pass them down in as good or better condition as they were when I received them .... the firearms I've purchased new are all active shooters, all have earned their blemishes .... I don't enjoy putting a ding in their wood, where the same new ding in one of my grandfather's would really bother me .... for that reason, I don't take them out to a range anywhere near as often as I do the ones I purchased

My point is, Tarbe said he's only had this gun for a year so it isn't a family heirloom it's a tool. If he's concerned with putting a ding in it how's he going to feel about brass that gets finger prints easily and an engraved stock. Personally, my grandpa, dad and others from whom I've inherited firearms would have an absolute fit if they knew I didn't use what they had left as it was intended and as they used them. As long as they're properly taken care of it shouldn't matter and I take better care of my guns than any of them ever did.

My concern here is that if Tarbe goes with something as picturesque as the new side gate it may be the end of his already minimalist shooting career altogether. If he keeps the Winny at least he will shoot some.

[fortyshooter]

Old rifles have been around a long time and might continue to after you have gone. You are just the current care taker at this time.
Decision is yours!

[tarbe]

So you're afraid to ding the old Winchester but you want to trade it for a fancy new side gate??? Do you intend to stop shooting altogether?

actually, I don't know if he and I have the same line of thought but I tend to feel the same way .... I have some firearms that have been passed down from my grandfather .... none are fancy, all were used for hunting, all have plenty of "character" .... that said, I'm determined to pass them down in as good or better condition as they were when I received them .... the firearms I've purchased new are all active shooters, all have earned their blemishes .... I don't enjoy putting a ding in their wood, where the same new ding in one of my grandfather's would really bother me .... for that reason, I don't take them out to a range anywhere near as often as I do the ones I purchased

Yup. That’s it.

This thing has survived 59 years and I don’t want to screw it up.

[tarbe]

So you're afraid to ding the old Winchester but you want to trade it for a fancy new side gate??? Do you intend to stop shooting altogether?

actually, I don't know if he and I have the same line of thought but I tend to feel the same way .... I have some firearms that have been passed down from my grandfather .... none are fancy, all were used for hunting, all have plenty of "character" .... that said, I'm determined to pass them down in as good or better condition as they were when I received them .... the firearms I've purchased new are all active shooters, all have earned their blemishes .... I don't enjoy putting a ding in their wood, where the same new ding in one of my grandfather's would really bother me .... for that reason, I don't take them out to a range anywhere near as often as I do the ones I purchased

My point is, Tarbe said he's only had this gun for a year so it isn't a family heirloom it's a tool. If he's concerned with putting a ding in it how's he going to feel about brass that gets finger prints easily and an engraved stock. Personally, my grandpa, dad and others from whom I've inherited firearms would have an absolute fit if they knew I didn't use what they had left as it was intended and as they used them. As long as they're properly taken care of it shouldn't matter and I take better care of my guns than any of them ever did.

My concern here is that if Tarbe goes with something as picturesque as the new side gate it may be the end of his already minimalist shooting career altogether. If he keeps the Winny at least he will shoot some.

It isn’t about beauty. It is about care taking.

I have realized I don’t have the stomach to shoot and hunt a 59 year year old semi-collectible and risk the wear and tear.

A new Henry is going to get shot/used a lot more than I dare use this Winchester.

I have only so much money to tie up in guns. I’m thinking that having 5% of my gun money tied up in a gun I am nervous about using doesn’t suit my psyche.

[tarbe]

I have friends with hundreds of guns they never shoot.

That would drive me nuts. I’d sell 75% of the guns and load up on more powder, primers, brass and bullets!

[RanchRoper]

That is a real nice old Winchester. If it was mine I would keep it, try my best to look after it, and shoot it. I love my Henry 1860 too, and maintain it well but it has some unavoidable little marks on it now. But it always puts a smile on my face at the range. I hope your Winchester does too.
That rifle would suit one of these I think....just sayin' ....best of luck with your decision.

[Mistered]

I have realized I don’t have the stomach to shoot and hunt a 59 year year old semi-collectible and risk the wear and tear.

59 years old is nothing and you could never shoot this rifle enough to risk any real wear and tear unless it were abused and not maintained. I routinely shoot many guns this old, or older, including a 119 year old Winchester.
Bottom line is this is not a 'vintage' rifle, has minimal collector appeal and as previously mentioned not a particularly desirable caliber for a mod 94. (look up Winchester Mod 94s in 25-35 if you want an example of a collectible rifle in a very desirable caliber)
And there is NO shortage of Winchester Mod 94s - including pre 64s.
Heck Like I mentioned I am selling (or trading) my 1899 Winchester for something I will shoot more and may be more 'collectible' even though it will be much newer (such as a few Smith & Wessons I am looking for)
In reality My Winchester while certainly 'vintage' is not that rare. If it were a carbine it WOULD be rare and very collectible but the 26" Sporting Rifles are relatively easy to find in fair, shootable condition.

[tarbe]

So what you’re saying is, ‘lighten up Francis”!

I guess you can tell I’m not a collector, lol.

[tarbe]

All right...I’m gonna put 50 rounds through it this weekend an see how I feel on Monday.

That is, if Barry doesn’t wobble his way west!

[ESquared]

All right...I’m gonna put 50 rounds through it this weekend an see how I feel on Monday.

That is, if Barry doesn’t wobble his way west!

This sounds like a great plan, and, if I'm reading everything correctly, I'd predict you'll find it pretty easy to talk yourself into letting it go in favor of the Henry. You've said you're not a collector, so don't let those 'collector thoughts' about the Winchester's age and its "interesting" caliber cloud your thinking.

It doesn't sound like you've owned it long enough (or shot it enough) to "love it," but you've already got a crush on the Henry side-loader. Find a worthy party who will love your Win and you'll both end up smiling!

[tarbe]

This sounds like a great plan, and, if I'm reading everything correctly, I'd predict you'll find it pretty easy to talk yourself into letting it go in favor of the Henry. You've said you're not a collector, so don't let those 'collector thoughts' about the Winchester's age and its "interesting" caliber cloud your thinking.

It doesn't sound like you've owned it long enough (or shot it enough) to "love it," but you've already got a crush on the Henry side-loader. Find a worthy party who will love your Win and you'll both end up smiling!

I really do like the Henry rifles better. Especially the triggers.

And it doesn’t have to be a side-loader...although I’ve owned a 38/55 in the past and I’d like to play with one again - side loader!

[tarbe]

My concern here is that if Tarbe goes with something as picturesque as the new side gate it may be the end of his already minimalist shooting career altogether. If he keeps the Winny at least he will shoot some.

Lol - this is literally less than 20% of my powder stash - I have 160,000 primers in stock. No, not a dealer...just a minimalist shooter. Haha.

I burned 25 pounds of gunpowder in the past year.

Just to set the record straight!

D5691955-A8F4-4801-9C21-34641721BD56.jpeg (147.92 KiB) Viewed 1606 times

[Mistered]

NOW if were something like this I'd say KEEP IT!
This is an 18.5" JM Marlin 'Texan' in 30-30 for sale on a forum in my area - good thing it is farther than I want to travel!
I can't believe it's still up for sale - but wont be for long!

541380-858d7b660169055704706721be60b703.jpg (73.61 KiB) Viewed 1603 times

[BigAl52]

If that were in my area I would snag it up.

[Mistered]

If that were in my area I would snag it up.

It's about six hours north of me.

[tarbe]

NOW if were something like this I'd say KEEP IT!
This is an 18.5" JM Marlin 'Texan' in 30-30 for sale on a forum in my area - good thing it is farther than I want to travel!
I can't believe it's still up for sale - but wont be for long!
541380-858d7b660169055704706721be60b703.jpg

Just out of curiosity, what's the asking price?

[Mistered]

Just out of curiosity, what's the asking price?

Fo' fiddy!

[PatientWolf]

I’d hang onto the Winchester and keep saving for the Henry.

[tarbe]

Went to the range today.

In addition to 30 rounds of 450 Dakota, 12 rounds of 416 Taylor and 5 rounds of 300 H&H, I put 15 rounds through my H010CC and a dozen through the M94 32 Special.

Would have loved to shoot more, but it was already 90F (and humid) and the sun was baking me!

I gotta say, shooting the 45/70 Henry was a lot more satisfying than shooting the 32 Special Winchester.

Action cycling and trigger pull is just sooo much better with the Henry. I think this Winchester needs to go down the road to make room for a 38/55 Henry!