24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,125
Likes: 72
K
Campfire Tracker
Campfire Tracker
K Online: Content
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,125
Likes: 72
I know that Model 70s dominate this subforum. I am putting a 1930s era Winchester 61 on layaway today. I am buying it for $750.00. It has a couple of scratches on the receiver but it looks like it has mainly just been a safe queen forever. Its serial number is 734X so I think that it is of early manufacture. It also has a rounded top rather than the grooved top that was easier for scope mounting. I have quite a few 94s, 71s, 70s, prewar 70s, Pre64 70s, Model 52s but I don't have a 61. I see the prices for far less gun in more questionable condition as being higher on GI and GB. Everything is straight and tight. I am just wondering what other people think of them.

GB1

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
H
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
H Offline
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
That's an early First year 1932 mfg. Model 61. Caliber? .22 S, L, LR, WRF, or Mag. Cal.
Sound to me like you've done very well on the $$.
A lot of fun to shoot and Collect!
Would love to see pics!

HS 58

Last edited by HunterShooter58; 03/29/23.

I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs!

A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do!

Know Thy Self!

TRUMP DID WIN! Like gunner 500 said, 3 TIMES!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 3
L
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
L Offline
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 3
I'm not much for any sort of pump rifle, but had to make an exception for the 61 I've had for many years. I think mine's a late 1940's model. It's quite accurate, my #1 criteria for any rifle. I paid little for mine; it was in with six or seven other long guns when purchased. I don't believe I had ever seen or heard of a 61 previously. I'm not up on prices and have little idea what these guns sell for, but to reproduce a gun like the 61 with metal and wood and quality work today would cost a lot more than most would pay for a .22.

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
H
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
H Offline
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
The Model 61 was derived from the Browning Trombone Model originated as another John Browning Design.

HS 58


I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs!

A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do!

Know Thy Self!

TRUMP DID WIN! Like gunner 500 said, 3 TIMES!
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
A
Campfire Member
Campfire Member
A Offline
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
They're way up there on my lengthy wish list of Winchesters. At the top of .22 list. I'd like to see pictures too.

IC B2

Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,546
Likes: 7
Campfire Tracker
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,546
Likes: 7
An ungrooved 61 isn’t that hard to scope if you have a competent gunsmith that can drill and tap the receiver. Actually I think it looks even better than the later grooved 61’s with a scope. I have a 61 and a 2-7x33 Leupold Rimfire and that competent gunsmith. The Weaver base chart calls for the rear base on the receiver and the front base on the barrel. I got looking at that scope, turrets, eye relief and that receiver and didn’t see why one of those rear bases couldn’t also be used as a front base on the receiver. My gunsmith thought the same thing and it works perfectly with that scope mounted low.

I grew up with an open sighted Winchester 62A and enjoyed looking down into the action chambering cartridges. The eyes and mentality of a 12 year old perfectly content with open sights have aged into thinking that a scoped 61 would be way better.


My other auto is a .45

The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 17
L
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
L Offline
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 17
Sounds like a great buy!

My Father has a 61 22 Mag that is his favorite by far. He refuses to scope it even though it is "grooved." It is no wonder that no one can make anything similar nowadays in a mainstream production rimfire... too much machining, engineering, and attention to detail. It would have to be a "custom" at custom prices. I would rather have the 22LR version like yours but if given the choice would take the grooved receiver for my personal interests. Those early Winchesters are in a class of their own, though.

IMHO, I would not let that redhead from the bank know you own that! smile

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 4
M
Campfire Tracker
Campfire Tracker
M Offline
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 4
I thought the Remington Model 121 was derived from the Browning Trombone.

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
H
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
H Offline
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
Possibly! Don't know!
John Browning influenced a lot of people!

HS 58


I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs!

A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do!

Know Thy Self!

TRUMP DID WIN! Like gunner 500 said, 3 TIMES!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 17
L
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
L Offline
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 17
I don't know of any JB statues standing anywhere but there should be. Maybe in St. Louis or Ogden, Ut.

Great man with great and visionary ideas... no way they would probably recognize that in today's St. Louis and a statue would probably come down pretty fast. Same with all the firearm pioneers and "greats." Someone would probably drive up from SLC and tear down an Ogden statue, too.

IC B3

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
H
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
H Offline
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by lundtroller
I don't know of any JB statues standing anywhere but there should be. Maybe in St. Louis or Ogden, Ut.

Great man with great and visionary ideas... no way they would probably recognize that in today's St. Louis and a statue would probably come down pretty fast. Same with all the firearm pioneers and "greats." Someone would probably drive up from SLC and tear down an Ogden statue, too.

Very True! Unfortunately your correct on your sad statement.
I was unwinding last night and decide to put on the TV and hit YouTube and watched Fess Parker do a Special on John Moses Browning early 90's). A very nice Story for those who are interested whether you read his story or not as I have. It was a nicely done up Bio of John and his Family background and History. I know I've seen it before but I refuse to watch the daily Garbage on TV!

HS 58


I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs!

A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do!

Know Thy Self!

TRUMP DID WIN! Like gunner 500 said, 3 TIMES!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,230
Likes: 74
C
Campfire Outfitter
Campfire Outfitter
C Offline
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,230
Likes: 74
I have a few 61's. Great rifles , fun to shoot, very well made. Some one suggested you have it D&T'd for a scope. That would be a big mistake.

The 61's in the last few years of production chambered a .22 Mag. Winchester brought out the .22 Mag in '59...the last of the 61's were a year or 2 later.

You did alright.

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 3
G
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
G Offline
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 3
In the 70's I bought a fresh 61 from my neighborhood friend for $40 (his dad had ditched the family leaving a nice firearms battery behind), and gave it to my dad for his birthday. Dad didn't blink that 13 year olds were engaging in the gun trade (he was a WWII vet), just smiled and thanked me. We shot it a bit.

When my dad died I got the .22 back and tracked down the old friend offering it back to him for a 45-year inflation adjusted price (about a third of then-current values). To this day it is one of the only things from his father he possesses.

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
H
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
H Offline
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by cisco1
I have a few 61's. Great rifles , fun to shoot, very well made. Some one suggested you have it D&T'd for a scope. That would be a big mistake.

The 61's in the last few years of production chambered a .22 Mag. Winchester brought out the .22 Mag in '59...the last of the 61's were a year or 2 later.

You did alright.
cisco,
I have to agree with you I would not do anything to this particular early highly collectible Model 61 meaning "do not scope it"!
I also like to shoot them besides collecting as another one would and can be scoped for shooting!
Their just not making any more Originals!!!
HS 58


I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs!

A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do!

Know Thy Self!

TRUMP DID WIN! Like gunner 500 said, 3 TIMES!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
H
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
H Offline
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by GrouseChaser
In the 70's I bought a fresh 61 from my neighborhood friend for $40 (his dad had ditched the family leaving a nice firearms battery behind), and gave it to my dad for his birthday. Dad didn't blink that 13 year olds were engaging in the gun trade (he was a WWII vet), just smiled and thanked me. We shot it a bit.

When my dad died I got the .22 back and tracked down the old friend offering it back to him for a 45-year inflation adjusted price (about a third of then-current values). To this day it is one of the only things from his father he possesses.
Great Story!
I admire you for what you did.
Thanks for Sharing.
HS 58


I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs!

A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do!

Know Thy Self!

TRUMP DID WIN! Like gunner 500 said, 3 TIMES!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 27
S
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
S Offline
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 27
Originally Posted by GrouseChaser
In the 70's I bought a fresh 61 from my neighborhood friend for $40 (his dad had ditched the family leaving a nice firearms battery behind), and gave it to my dad for his birthday. Dad didn't blink that 13 year olds were engaging in the gun trade (he was a WWII vet), just smiled and thanked me. We shot it a bit.

When my dad died I got the .22 back and tracked down the old friend offering it back to him for a 45-year inflation adjusted price (about a third of then-current values). To this day it is one of the only things from his father he possesses.

Great story. Awesome, classy gesture. Damn fine thing to do.

Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 27
S
Campfire Regular
Campfire Regular
S Offline
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 27
I grew up shooting an M61, second gun I used after a cool little Remington single shot. I picked up a M61 several years ago. Checkered stock - one of very few I have ever seen- maybe the only one. Any chance it would have come that way from the factory?

If it may be factory checkering, I should probably sell it. If not, thinking about having it restored for my 12 year old son.

Some would consider it sacrilege, but if I have it restored, I may shorten the barrel a bit. Think it would actually be more fun that way.


Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
AX24


145 members (338reddog, 19352012, 1911a1, 19rabbit52, 1_deuce, 5sdad, 18 invisible), 831 guests, and 648 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums82
Topics1,230,779
Posts19,268,391
Members75,114
Most Online28,956
Jan 26th, 2025

×

 


Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2025 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Playwire

Advertise on this site.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0
(Release build 20240826)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 8.3.16 Page Time: 0.289s Queries: 48 (0.208s) Memory: 0.7043 MB (Peak: 0.7858 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2025-02-18 07:25:02 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS