Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Sorry to say it -- I'm glad I did not get a Winchester 71

A while back I toyed with the idea of getting a Winchester 71. Even made a few bids on Gunbroker.

But they are expensive, kick hard, and the ammo is not cheap. So I switched my focus and got a couple of revolvers. For me at this time I made the right choice.

I always enjoyed shooting my 71. It really didn't kick that hard either...

They do kick; and both the gun and the ammo are expensive, but it’s all worth it in my opinion. Every time I squeeze the trigger on my 71(s) it makes me smile!

I have owned several 71's. They are in a class by themselves. The recoil is subjective to me as the cartridge was designed and intended for a specific purpose. Comparing rifles to revolvers....you lost me.

I should add that topic title of a Winchester 21 had me thinking about side by sides at first glance.

Good for you. But as someone that admires classic Winchesters, you're missing out on one of the finest. Doubt it kicks any harder than your 21........

I feel the same. Mine sits in the safe room right now just itching to blow a golf ball sized hole into a deer, or an elk, or a moose....

Buy a Browning M71. Fit and finish is better and it will very likely be more accurate. They sell for a lot less than even a beater Winchester and are a great answer to meeting the need for a quality M71.

I meant 71 in the title

I am very happy I got my 21

Great advice. Had a standard grade Browning and it met that exact criteria.

Not to argue the Browning M71 isn't a quality built rifle, but if you collect Winchesters or other classic firearms as the OP obviously does, an imported reproduction doesn't fill a void in said collection.

tmitch,

It was not my intent to infer the Browning would be suitable as a replacement for a Winchester in his collection, rather it is another means to enjoy the Model 71 platform.

I enjoyed my M71 while I had it. I didn't care for the recoil when fired with factory-level loads, but then again I dislike being pounded by any gun- it decreases the fun factor when spending a day at the range with it. But that's just me, and precisely why god gave us RCBS- lower velocity handloads made it downright enjoyable, with the capability of opening the throttle should occasion demand it. What prompted my disposal of the rifle was it weighed more than I care to lug around the deer woods and I had no inclination to travel to elk/bear hunt with it. In short, I had no practical reason to justify my owning it, and since I don't really "collect" anything away it went. I kind of wish I had kept it, but nor have I lost any sleep over it.

I was hot and heavy to purchase/ trade one at the gun show I attended!

Until my table helping partner said the following.

" I hunted with a 71 for a few years. You couldn't pay me enough to carry one now during hunting season."

I traded a model 94 flatband 30 30 for a 1895 pre safety Marlin in 45/70 instead!

“why god gave us RCBS” love that...we handload because we like the independence of doing it the way we want, yet most folks never bother to load down, just never understood it. In the process of turning my 270 (which is a laser of death with RL26) into a 7mm-08 for woods whitetails and the savor of my hearing. Of course it wont be exactly like a 7mm-08, the bullet will be .007 smaller, which I hope the deer wont notice and then question my manhood.

As far as the 71, just a classic, will own one someday.

Hell no it doesn't, even with 250 gr Barnes' at 2350, it's an accurate, hard shooting, hard killing, cool ol sombitch, and Thanks for selling it to me Friend!

Im glad it went to such a great person. Im honored to be considered your friend. I know you are taking good care of that old 375 as well
Now that rifle kicks much harder than the m71. I still think that 71 is a puzzy cat to shoot... i guess its all subjective though..

Damn right to all three Buddy, and yessir, maybe I should send my 8 Bore and some 850 gr round balls with instructions to dump 400 grains of blackpowder down the bore and fire, at that time these gents will have a full, complete and accurate understanding of recoil!

I agree........

Why would a forum of alleged rifleman be so transfixed with the evils of recoil?

I've got a low 4 digit Deluxe in about 95% condition, that just screams Winchester! If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.