Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Does a win. 71 need swivels

Would a person buying a 71 to hunt with insist on swivel eyes?

How else to lug a rather heavy gun in the woods?

Thank you

Only if they were original to the gun....

In your hand or the crook of your arm. That's how I carry mine

Depends on how long you have to carry it. I have both a standard and a deluxe. The latter with factory swivels, the former no swivels. I have lugged the standard without swivels through the Wisconsin woods during deer hunting for years. Only time it's a real problem is if I am also dragging a deer! That said, it is not a light rifle but it is manageable without a sling. I agree with Pocono though, I wouldn't ruin an original 71 by adding swivels.

Thinking of getting a plain Jane Winchester 71 just for the fun of it.

Don't hunt, but I like guns, including hunting rifles. So when I buy a hunting rifle I like to think that if I go to sell it that it is the type of gun that a hunter would want to take into the woods.

However, a Winchester 71 is a bit heavy, and without a sling it could be a bit annoying to the next buyer who wanted to hunt with it.

Is it correct that the next owner could get a no-drill strap on sling and it would work just fine?

Thanks

The sling certainly makes it better for hauling around. There are so many 71's with sling swivels, either original deluxes or altered standards, that you should have plenty to choose from in all price ranges.

An unaltered later standard in very good to excellent condition with a receiver aperture sight seems to be the best variation for my needs, desires and willingness to spend. Not cheap, but not extra expensive like a good original condition Deluxe, And it would be a collectable and movable commodity for future owners who, like me, want an unmolested 71.

Here was my solution for my Browning 71. I think the one I ordered was the Duke or the Gunsmoke. A little pricey but makes a distinctive rifle. Fast turnaround and does not mark up the rifle.
Scott

http://gunstockcover.com/

Those lace on butt covers are heavy, expensive and GAY. Real Howdy- Doody stuff. And they can adversely affect the stock finish on original guns.

To the OP...I think as long as the swivel studs are properly mounted and the period correct ball end style studs it does not matter.
Just make sure the price you pay for any gun reflects the altered status...It should appreciate proportionately over time.
Frankly unless a gun is over 90% condition and unaltered with no major flaws, its just a shooter anyway. Properly mounted sling swivels are a minor alteration.

And spraking of shooting- the 348 Win ammo and brass situation is pretty sire right now. Not much if it around. If you run into such a shooter grade m71 let the seller know this and use it to get tge lowest peice possible. Its a legitimate drawback with the origional m71's right now.

Its the reason why the new Italian made replicas are all in 45/70, because .348 ammo is practically non-existent.