The Winchester 71 Lever Rifle

[Fishinfool]

Great collection of beautiful rifles. Thanks for posting.

Back in the early 1980's, I acquired a very clean model 71 deluxe from a friend who managed a pawn shop in Waterbury, CT for the price she paid - $200.00. Great rifle, and hunted with it several seasons. I eventually sold it when someone made a crazy high offer on it. Would have liked to have kept it, but I have too many "nice" guns I just don't really use.

Also bought a Browning High Grade model 71 when they came out. Really well made rifle. I think I paid $800 and something new, and later sold it for 2k to a guy who just had to have it. Free's up cash for new blood in the safe...

Larry

 

[Bald1]

Great story and great pics. Your great uncle pointing gun at your great grandfather is priceless. I know those rifles are very collectible and very expensive. But 200gr at 2500fps and a peep sight! I'd have to take one hunting just once.

 

[CH4]

Thanks for sharing. Very informative

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Great story and great pics. Your great uncle pointing gun at your great grandfather is priceless. I know those rifles are very collectible and very expensive. But 200gr at 2500fps and a peep sight! I'd have to take one hunting just once.

That's exactly how I feel about the 71 I bought in my earlier post. Wasn't looking for one but the slick action and handling characteristics have won me over to wanting to take it out to the deer woods. I especially like the fuller fore stock design as compared to the one on the '94s. Just need to put on a receiver sight to make it better than the standard open sights.

John

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

sjbrdn Thank you for a great article on the Winchester 71. Guess mine is an odd story, but many such stories are odd.

When I was young, (1950 at 14 or so) I was allowed to use a friend's Win 65 in 218 Bee. Shot a number of groundhogs and crows in western Virginia. Had an older half Cherokee friend that bought a Win 71 that he practiced with on groundhogs, several times shooting out of apple trees for height. That first year he shot a LARGE (over 300 pounds) imported stag on Ft Lewis mountain near Roanoke, VA. It was a real challenge for 4 of us carrying it out some mile plus, up and down thru creeks and along narrow paths, mostly in the dark,

Many years later (about 1998) I realized I needed a Win 65 in Bee and a Win 71, to recapture a little of my youth? I first found a Browning 65 copy and several years later a nice deluxe 65 with a 3/4" Weaver side mount post sight scope, a duplicate of the one I had used as a kid. It was a 1937 and my birth year is 1936 - close enough. Later I started hunting a nice Win 71 dated 1936. About mid 2021 I spotted one on GB that matched my wants - VG+ Deluxe original. It soon became apparent that I was not the only one that wanted it. Guessing I spent $1000 above fair value, but it was mine. Looking for a period sling, I spotted one that looked correct and no bids. What was unique, was it had a set of Win Deluxe swivels on it. For $16.50 shipped, I was a happy camper.

I have several Win 94s, 88s and a number of .22s but my Win 65 and 71 are very special.

 

[inspcalahan]

Wow! Fantastic presentation, chock full on information and pictures - thanks!

 

[Doug627]

I bought my Model 71 Deluxe several years ago. It is serial no. 820. What a slick firearm. Very accurate. I sat on the back porch in WV and shot branches off trees with it.

 

[turnerriver]

That's a great post, thanks for taking the time and trouble. Here's an accessory I gave to a good friend who collects Winchesters including the model 71.

Regards,

 

[LerMinnesota]

Fantastic read with my mornin coffee. I have a 71 Deluxe from 1949 in minty shape.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I acquired a 71 Deluxe Carbine in a Colt trade in the early 80's. I was into collecting handguns mostly and Colt's in particular at that time and new nothing about the 71's except that it was a beautiful rifle. I also new that the deluxe carbine was rare. I guy talked me out of it in another trade shortly after that. I have never seen another accept once I was going through Cody on a motorcycle trip in 1994. There was a show at the Cody Museum so I stopped and went through the show. I could not believe it but there was a gentleman who had several 71 Deluxe's on his table. All were high condition and as i recall most were carbines. Wish I had never traded mine off.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Wanted a 71 since I read a magazine article about the .348 and the various Alaskan wildcats being made on the case. That was 55 years ago and I was just able to buy one this spring. It' a 1936 long tang standard with the pat pend bolt peep . Gonna keep it original but am casually looking for one to build a .450 Alaskan on. If it were not for the internet I guess I still wouldn't have one as I spent years looking in gun shops and gun shows and never found one for sale. All the Winchester collectors at the shows had them but never saw one offered for sale.