Winchester 64 discussion?

[Canuck Bob]

I really like the lines of the winchester 64.  We discuss 94's and 92's alot.  Was hoping to read more on the 64's in 30-30 and 32 Special if possible.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Bob, over the years I have seen hundreds of 94's, but a very few 64's...The 64 was more expensive and a bit classier I think..I would guess guys who were spending more $ opted for a model 70..Just a guess..My neighbor had one in .30-30 when I was a kid..he was a nice guy, but didn't hunt much...I was never sure what happened to it..it was in mint condition...out side of a few in collections or at high end gun shows, I have never seen many..Here in Wy. one of my old time shooting partners told me one of his favorite antelope was a .219 Zipper in a Winchester, I am not sure if it was a 64 or not..but it had the half mag. and 24 inch barrel..

[Siskiyou]

When I was a little guy back in the 1950’s my Dad had a Model 64 in 32 Special Winchester with a rear Lyman tang sight, a buckhorn sight in the barrel dovetail, and a hooded front sight.  The rifle had very good, dark bluing.  Dad might have traded his Long Tom Model 94 in 32-40 Winchester for it.

I recall Dad killing two or three bucks with it, but he also missed a few.  Dad had poor eye sight and needed a scope.  He traded the rifle for a Remington 722 in 300 Savage so he could mount a scope.

There have been many times that I wished I had that Model 64, but now days it would not replace the scoped 336 in 30-30 Winchester I have.  My old eyes prefer a scope, and I have never cared for the old side mounts they used on the early lever action Winchesters.

I came very close to buying a Marlin XLR in 30-30 Winchester because its profile is similar to the Dad’s M64 Winchester.  When I picked up the display XLR it took me back to my youth.

Being a Westerner I made a little distinction between the Model 64 and the Model 94 carbine.  The Model 94 was a cowboy, saddle gun, while the Model 64 was designed for the discriminating hunter.

[thxmrgarand]

Years ago my father and I were at a firearms auction.  A 64 came up.  It looked good.  Everyone stayed away from it because it was drilled and tapped for a receiver sight.  We were bored so I bid and bought it at a very good price.  Then we learned that Winchester shipped many of them drilled and tapped.  So it was a great buy.  I gave it to my father for his full-time gun trading hobby. 

[jbmi]

Back in the early 50's the only persons I knew who hunted were my uncle and aunt. She used a Model 64 30/30 and growing up that to me was what a deer rifle looked like.
Over the years I bought and collected a lot of rifles but never ran across a Model 64. About 2001 I found someone in CA that wanted to trade a 64 for an 88. I had an extra 88 and a trade was made.
When I received the 64 I looked up the SN and found it was made in 1954 the first year I saw my aunts gun.  It's not the Delux model, but neither was her's.
I've hunted with it a few times but as others have stated my eye's prefer a scope.
It's now a safe queen that will someday belong to one of my grand kids.

[pastorp]

I used to own a really nice pre-war model 64. It even had a tang sight on it.

A good friend bought one new when he came home after WW2. He still has it. My pre-war is quite a bit slimmer than the newer post-war.

Of course my current problem is old eyes so I need a scope. I sold mine to a collector rather than drill it for a side mount.

Merry Christmas !

[gunner69]

I have the "old eyes" complex too.   I would love to find one of the old 64s.   I would mount a Burris fastfire II using a Turnbull mount.   I have an 86 set up that way and it is "the (censored word)" to say the least.   It is very fast and easy on old eyes.

[Dirt Bag]

   We're fixin' to make up a new prom dress  (show stock) for this one, as soon as we are done checkering on the Mauser that's in the works. This was my Ma's rifle, and carried way more than it was ever shot. 32 Special Deluxe. Will put on a Lyman 66 and the white front bead. Have the original swivels for it around here somewhere too, but can't ever remember her having the sling on it.  Pretty nice piece of fiddleback too.... had to buy it as the price was good. You know...... Old Winchesters just don't look good wearing anything but black walnut.

   We usually put red Winchester pads on these when we doll them up too, and a steel grip cap with initials engraved in it. Wil keep the original wood intact with plate, stud, and cap. We have the original wood for almost every one we have done and can put them back to stock anytime. To me,64s and 71s were the best looking lever guns....... this one will be a knockout when it's finished.
                                                                                             Best;
                                                                                                          D.B.

[Canuck Bob]

Wow DB,  that is a sweet rifle and you are going to make it even better.  Sooner or later I will own one. 

[jon f]

I have a standard grade Model 64 in 30/30 that was made in 1932. First year of production.
If you don't see many in the US, they're down right rare here in Australia.

[Canuck Bob]

They are available here in Canada in good shape occasionally.  Seems $800 is the asking range and they sell well.

I would already own one except for my foolish Fed licence being in limbo.  We have people waiting months for thier applications to get processed.