The short-lived Winchester Model 88 rifle was introduced in 1955, a rifle a bit ahead of its time. Following its discontinuance in 1973, gun writers were of the opinion that the rifle’s one-piece stock represented a radical visual departure from traditional lever actions with two-piece stocks. Lever action enthusiasts were too accustomed to the look and feel of the Model 94, which sold in the millions. Marlins and Savage 99s also had their faithful adherents.

Considering the investment of dollars it takes to make the tooling necessary, as well as to market a new design, one would think that such a basic “like” or “dislike” would have easily been discovered through market research. Whether or not Winchester conducted any such research is unknown to me.

A possible second reason for its demise and which contributed to Winchester’s eventual bankruptcy was their cost cutting catastrophe of 1964, forever resulting in all Winchesters being suddenly judged by whether they were pre or post-64.

The Model 88 was offered in the then-new .308 Winchester as well as the .243 and .358 Winchester calibers. Later, it was offered in .284 Winchester, a cartridge offering ballistics very similar to the .270. Even critics of the rifle called it a lever operated bolt action as the rifle as right out of the box, it could easily shoot one-inch, 100-yard groups and could hold its own against any stock bolt action of the era. My own 88, chambered in .308 and untouched by any gunsmith, has put three rounds under a Nickel at 100 yards and can do it all day long.

Fortunately for me, my rifle’s previous owner had not butchered the gun by cutting the stock to install a recoil pad, an unneeded item on a hunting arm but helpful for target practice. A carbine version of the rifle was offered with a barrel band and 19-inch barrel. Oddly, it was not offered in .358, a cartridge that fit that era’s pre-conceived notion of what a “brush cartridge” should look like.

Today, the rifle has indeed caught on and has a loyal following. Rifles in either .358 or .284 sell for a king’s ransom while the more commonly encountered .308 and .243 can still be found for around a thousand bucks. Winchester produced about 300,000 rifles, mostly in the latter calibers.

The Model 88 makes a lot of sense for the eastern woods hunter. It’s handy and quick in wooded terrain although longer then either the Model 94 or Marlin 336 yet, any of its chamberings can reach out really far for that occasional long shot. The rifle is fed from a detachable box magazine, allowing the safe use of spitzer bullets.

My only regret is that I wish I had discovered the Model 88 in its heyday. It would have kept me from buying and selling enough rifles to outfit a small revolution in my search for the perfect rifle that could do it all in the east, where I hunted.

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I'm glad you like yours.

I always wanted one, and finally found a very nice 308 for a reasonable price. I didn't have it long before I put it back on the road.

It had the handling characteristics of a landscaping timber, and possibly the worst trigger available on a centerfire rifle. After shooting it, I can't find much good to say about them.

Have you tried a 99 Savage?

Very nice. I've always liked the looks of the 88 and its cousin the semi-auto Winchester Model 100. Someday............

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I had 358 in early 70s, had K-3 on it. Only used it one season,
killed my deer. Ended up trading it to Moose Hunter for 88 carbine in 308. Both guns were good shooters 1"/100yds. Wish
I had kept 358, can't pry it off guy I traded it to. He has killed
several moose up in Ontario with it.

I love my 88 in .243. Soft shooting and superbly accurate. I wish I had one in every caliber they offered.

The 88 had the pointing and handling characteristics of a 2x4, coupled with a Red Ryder trigger, among a number of other deficiencies. I'm surprised it lasted until 1973. Still, if you like something different, this is most assuredly it.

A 88 in 308 was my first center fire rifle.
Used it for a number of years before going to a Savage 110 LH.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Winchester corrected some things that were claimed to be drawbacks of the lever action; tubular magazine (no pointy bullets), two piece stock (inaccuracy) and no 308 based cartridges. Some of these changes had been tried before (Win 95, Savage 99). Some were tried later (Browning BLR and then the 307 cartridge). None of these caught on like the 1894 Winchester or the Marlin 336. The 88 was the rifle the gun writers and market people said they wanted, but they didn't sell well. It seems like the best way to make something popular is to discontinue it. Then everybody wants one (think S&W 40,42). If they were a dog to begin with (S&W 61) even discontinuance can't save them. Win 88, AR 180, Ford Edsel; all neat ideas that didn't sell. As for market research, the market doesn't know what it wants. If you had done a survey in 1980 and asked shooters if they would be interested in a plastic pistol with a big fat grip that only came in 9mm, what would they have said? Proably the same answer you would get in 1960 asking about a plastic and aluminum rifle chambered for 223.

I really don't understand the all the complaints about the 88. I love mine, pictured here with a 26 inch barreled 70 in .264 Winchester.

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My father in law had an 88 in .284 and a 100 in .308. Some of the worst, unfixable triggers I have encountered. Accuracy was mediocre but the triggers may have been the issue. Both ended up in Cabela's gun room when he found something else he wanted. They are still there with amazing price tags. Good concept but very poor execution. The Browning BLR got closer to executing the ideas put forward in the Win. The Savage 99 also got it right mechanically and ergonomically. IMHO

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JOSHUA 1:9

I love the Model 70!

the 88 had a full stock as it shared a similar set up as the model 100. Read that some time in the last century.

I bought my 1st deer rifle, a model 100 carbine in 308 that was a used like new rifle. It killed many deer. I did not have any issues with it, being smart I traded it for a Model 70 Win in 270.

I would love to find an 88 in any of the calibers. I've only seen a few for sale and I was spending money on S&W or Python revolvers. What was I thinking?

I've only fired one in .284, about 1964-65. Another airman had one that he liked, with the crummy stamped checkering. It shot well, but I'm more into bolt actions and the M-88 never grabbed me. My rifle goal was a Sako Finnbear.

But John Wootters liked the M-88, so it has to have had something on the ball. John knew his rifles.

I think the M-88 inspired the Sako Finnwolf, and it was a flop, too.

I love my 88 in .308! Resurrecting this thread because I'm looking for another - in .243. PM me if you have one you want to move. Thanks!

Probably biggest down side to the 88 was the trigger.
Compared to most bolt action rifles, including some pretty ratty MilSurps,
It’s pretty bad!

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I found this 1956 model last year at the LGS. came with a period correct Leupold 4X scope. I've been back in TN for 20 years and this is the only one I've seen here. saw them all over in NE and KS. lee

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Beautiful rifle Lee!

In the late 1960s I had a Winchester Model 100 .308 with a Weaver 4X scope. Great trigger and with hand loads 3/4" groups at 100 yards.

Pretty walnut and blue steel. No plastic in sight.

Have a blessed day,

Leon