Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Winchester Model 71 barrel question

Hello,

I recently purchased a beautiful Model 71 Deluxe Winchester made in 1936...however it had a ring in the barrel about four inches from the muzzle end. I purchased the last barrel Numrichs had and got it today. It has a taper near where the wood ends...I've looked at every carbine photo I can find online and none of them seem to have a barrel like this. Did Winchester make a lightweight barrel or something that I can't find information on?[img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/wFms1He78hnu3u2r9[/img]

FWIW, I have a Ruger M77 "tanger" .270 that has a loose spot in the bore about six inches back from the muzzle. You can feel it as you push a tight patch from breech to muzzle. Suddenly, the rod "jumps" about two inches. There is no bulge on the exterior of the barrel. As far as I know, this spot has been there from day one. Despite this issue, the rifle is pleasingly accurate, sub MOA, even with some factory ammo.

Is the ring in the barrel of your M71 visible on the exterior? The rifle may shoot fine.

I have never seen a 71 with a barrel like the one you have pictured. I own five rifles, not carbines and the front sight ramps are not like yours in the picture either.

Notice the filled holes in the barrel

Filled holes? Where? There may be a very slight bulge in the outside...or it may be my mind playing games. I have not tried to shoot it yet. Think it's safe?

I would return the barrel to Numrichs if you can. It has no business on a beautiful Deluxe 71. What is the length of the Barrel on your gun? A factory 20” carbine barrel will be impossible to find. There are plenty of 24” barrels to be had. The ring on your barrel can you see it? Inside and out of the barrel?

Mine is a rifle, but the barrel I got is 20 inches. I can see the ring inside the barrel, but can barely feel it outside.

Good eye Chris.


In the first pic looks like a filled hole behind the dovetail and just above the OD in MODEL and another above the IN in [sic] WINCHESTER.

That's staining on the finish...there is a small hole up front for the magazine tube screw. Looks like the original factory finish on the barrel still but cannot figure out the taper.

Over the years I have received some weird parts from Gun Parts Corp./Numrich, your barrel is an example. I wouldn't call that a taper but rather a step down like in a military mauser barrel. I would definately return that barrel to Gun Parts Corp.. As regards the bulged barrel on your rifle, it is safe to shoot and may not affect how the rifle shoots. I would definately try it before making any changes, if the rifle won't shoot then a re-line may be a solution to consider.

If it is a 24 inch barrel why not just have it cut off just before the bulge and reattach the front sight?

I really would shoot it first. Right now, you have options, but not as much information as you might like (unless you find a suitable barrel free or exceptionally cheap.) How it shoots seems to me to be a big piece of the puzzle,

shoot that rifle with the old barrel 1st,but i would send that other barrel back for good.heck if that old barrel shoots decent use it.

Donkey I have a like new 71 rifle barrel - if interested send me an email address and I'll send some pictures and pricing.

It might shoot alright but I'd feel better knowing it had a good barrel so the kids can enjoy when I'm gone. The Numrichs barrel is going back....The Cody Museum seems to think it was a factory reject and it's definitely weird.

good thought for the future of your kids,i am doing the same by getting 4 rifles in the 257 Roberts ready for my grandkids and my daughter. son likes his Ruger #1 257 Weatherby Mag. to much , the other Ruger #1 257 Weatherby Mag. will go to my oldest grandson when he is a little bigger. i have a really nice 348 Winchester special " 98 %" some day when i die watch for the garage sell ,might go cheap ?

That Numrich barrel is not a factory reject. It looks like an original barrel that has been messed with by some gunsmith. Send it back and get your money back. There are quite a few original 71 barrels floating around. I would find the right era replacement and install it.

It's going back on Monday. Found a replacement barrel for her and got fell into 400 pieces of brass last night, plus 5 boxes of factory ammo.

Sounds like you're getting it together.
I'd still be tempted to shoot it before you replace the barrel, if only to see how accurate that original barrel is.
BTW, welcome to the 'Fire! Mostly good people here, but a few that compel me to qualify with the "mostly."

Well, we can't all be as sweet as you, can we?