Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Winchester Model 70 When??

can't answer for sure, but this may help: I have one that I bought in May 03 from Wally World. It's # is G245XXXX.

In 1992, when the Classic's came out, they started their own new serial number run. The push feeds continued the same serial number run that the Model 70 had been on since 1936, adding a G around 1968. Around the first of 2003, the Classic's own personal serial number run ended, around G375,000, and they were then entered into the ongoing pushfeed serial number run around G2,400,000. So, if your CLASSIC Model 70 has a serial of, G-plus six numbers or less, it is a "pre '03" If your CLASSIC Model 70 has a G-plus seven numbers, it was built after 2002. All of the push feeds have been seven numbers since about 1970. G1,111,000 was about 1973, G1,750,000 was about 1987, G2,115,000 was about 1997, and G3,030,000 was the very end 2005/2006 production.

Probably....

I'm thinking of a small comparison.. While we tool-users appreciate a portable, electric screwdriver for speed etc., it's well worth remembering they STILL Make the good ol' manual flat blade or phillips-head screwdriver; used when the electric gizmo goes on the blink.. As long as the head's intact, those old-fashioned screwdrivers work just fine, now don't they?? A tool with only one part fails rarely; if at all.. Add parts, add potential problems.. It's as simple as that. And NO one will ever convince me otherwise..

But that's just me...

Maybe.

But then again, maybe not.. I truly hope to be fully impressed.. What I fully expect, is to be truly disappointed....

Good info.. I did a quick check and note only 3 of my M70s are from the latest batch..

Thank you for posting this..

Glad to help.
They sure made it pretty confusing with the two seperate runs of numbers. A novice could go to the arms collector site, type in the number of 155000 off his Classic Featherweight made in 1996, and it would tell him that it was made in 1950.

Would you be able to pin down the serial numbers for the beginning of '03?

Great info. Thanks for giving the details, which have been a mystery to me.

Is there a website that gives the new FN M70 available calibers?

No further than somewhere in the neighborhood of G2,400,000

Go to the Model 70 website: http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/category.asp?cat=001C

W70, I don't know where you get your information about Model 70 Classic serial numbers, but it does jive with anecdotal information I've been trying to collect on Classics I own. FYI, I have personally seen and handled a Model 70 Classic with a G304XXXX serial number. I can't remember what it exactly was, but my foggy memory thinks it was a left-hand blue/wood Sporter. I know I wrote it down somewhere on a scrap of paper, but danged if I can find it now! Another reason I remember this particular rifle, is because it didn't have a flanged bolt shroud. In fact, I have never seen a port-sider with a flanged bolt shroud. Don't know if they ever made any, just that I've never seen one! Thanks for your post!

Nope unless you call them then it is November or some where along those lines from cutomer service. I am suprised they have not made a statement. Just trust us its coming out sometime??????

You would think that they had a blog site that was updated or that you can ask questions about but nope... Not what I would call good customer relationships...I wish that they has somebody from their factory that would or could answer questions?

I just called the Browning/Winchester customer service number (800-333-3288) and the rep initially told me the Featherweight model 70s would be available around the end of this month, but the super grades and extreme weather models would not be out until the end of the year. He then checked on his computer for an update and found out to his surprise that the featherweights availability has been delayed until after Christmas because of the rigorous quality control that is being applied to the model 70s. I was hoping that they would be available by September, but that seems to be just a dream.

Another way all of you can use is to look at the left side of the receiver. If it is marked Winchester, and under it only Trademark, it is pre '03. If it is marked Winchester, and under it Trademark Licensed From Olin Corp., it is post '03. Hope this helps.

At this rate, it will be the end of 2009 before we seen the next generation of the Model 70. That doesn't bother me, so long as they do A LOT better than they did during the periods of 1964-1972 and 2003-2006. I don't think Winchester could survive a period of poor quality like the aforementioned again and stay afloat (Winchester has lost a lot of headway to Remington during these periods of lackadaisical engineering and cost-cutting measures).

matt,

i would appreciate your personal evaluation of the new m70 trigger... reliability, user friendliness, adjustability, reliability, safety, reliability, and etc..... john w

I believe he had nothing but positive things to say about the new model 70 trigger. Nonetheless, he'll chime in -- hopefully!

i've heard a bunch of comments about how great the trigger performs, but, performance and feel are only a part of the equation...
as far as pure performance goes the rem 700 trigger is terrific, but i do not consider it to be as reliable in the field as the m70 trigger...(the real one)

fwiw, i do not consider change to be a bad thing, in and of itself... the model 70 classics that i have come to cherish are a much different rifle than the original m70, and i consider them to be better in the ways that matter to me... i actually consider the pre 64 rifles to be clubby and clumsy,... even the fwt...

as far as i'm concerned the jury is still out on the new style trigger... i'm a bit suspicious of it because i liked the original trigger so much... i want to like the new trigger!!!

The trigger, for what it is, which is an enclosed-style type, much like the Remington is good for what they wanted to accomplish.

Most like to compare the old-style triggers that have been worked over to a new out-of-the-box model MOA trigger, but that's apples and oranges.

The best trigger on the planet for hunting, varmint and all around use would be an old-style model 70 trigger that was perfectly executed, rather than cobbled up like nearly every one I've ever seen, pre-64's included.

The MOA trigger is a sound design and I would rank it higher than a Remington 700, M77, or Savage trigger, but I wished they had just made the old design right in the first place.

If comparing out of box triggers, the MOA will have a better feel, engage the cocking piece more reliably, and prove to be a safer and more consistent trigger than the old style.
With a properly fitted and manufactured old-style trigger, you'd have all I've mentioned above, plus added reliability in nasty weather and dirty enviornments.

fwiw,
Could not agree more...

Regards, Matt.