Winchester centenials - why the hate?

H Wally

H Wally

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Just going by what I see in prices, why do winchester centenials go for so much less on average than most other winchesters?

Case in point - good condition regular win 94 carbines with decent bluing going for $375, and a win 94 octagonal barrel or centenial src going in mint condition going for $375 -$400.

Is the workmanship and quality really low or something?

Is it that people want a working gun and feel bad about messing up the bluing?

Do people hate octagonal barrels that much?

I'm asking because I'm looking at a 1967 Canadian Centennial w/26 inch octagonal barrel, full mag in 30-30 for $375 (Good price? Yes/no?)that looks BRAND NEW and I'm wondering why it's listed so low, especially compared to lookalikes made long ago that have had the tar kicked out of them and cruddy barrels. I'm ideally looking at this being a fun gun to hang onto and just use until either me or it dies.

Looks like this one:

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EDIT I'm considering this gun because it's far cheaper than any other octagonal long barrelled win 94 out there and in far better shape. So, is the quality the issue with these guns? I plan on keeping this gun, so no worries about price depreciation.
 
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I think they demand less money because there are quite a few Cenntials out there. Most have been kept in the box and not fired or shot very little. So what you end up with is a plentiful supply of Centenials, all in the same condition.
 
They're just a regular Win 94 with a bit of engraving. 97,395 of 'em made(both rifle and carbine). Too many to ever increase significantly in collector value. Not much collector interest anyway. Certainly not Stateside Winchester collectors.
All Commemoratives are only worth more than a regular Win 94 when still sealed in the original box. Even then, if you were selling one, you'd have to find a buyer who wants it. Winchester Commemoratives have proven to be lousy investments.
 
Generally the Commemoratives/centennials are made for "show" or display only. Especially the ones with the lettering and such, like the Souix, or Camanche. While they will function, everything is generally sloppy and gritty from the get go (even after an initial cleaning if you intend to fire). If they are nice and tight at purchase, they will get extremely loose and floppy (hey now!!) after only a few shots. Some pro's have told me some replacement parts will make them good shooters, but then you may loose some of the gold or lettered parts if those are the ones that need replacing, so... no longer a collectors gun. Also, since most of them were made in SUCH abundance, they really aren't collectible really, just nice to have if you like Winchesters. I was told by a store that they had three excellent ones (all the same series and model) and that none of them displayed the flaws I mentioned that was inherent to the series. The salesman passed me one and told me that it was the "best" of the three. It was loose and gritty, and was a perfect example of why they are for display only. Don't get me wrong, it "LOOKED" awesome, but at the premium price they were charging, I didn't need a piece or art that bad.
 
Well, I'm not buying as a collecter whatsoever - This is my solution to long barreled octagonal win 94's being so darned expensive!

So unless there's something physically wrong, I could care less about investment value or tackiness. Fortunately I lack taste. :)
 
winchester centennials are like F-150s.....any rounds downrange yet? everyone wants one, everyone has one. regardless of the condition, engraving, whatever they're still just a lever action 30-30. theres nothing wrong with them, just as im not saying theres anything wrong with ford trucks. The centennial was meant as a marketting ploy, not an actual investment oppurtunity. buy it, keep it, kill animals with it. ;)
 
H Wally said:
Well, I'm not buying as a collecter whatsoever - This is my solution to long barreled octagonal win 94's being so darned expensive!

So unless there's something physically wrong, I could care less about investment value or tackiness. Fortunately I lack taste. :)
Click to expand...

X2 If the price was right, I would buy one for shooting.
 
Of course none of us would say beat the heck outa it, but its a really nice rifle, they shoot good, and they're awesome for a collection. Why buy the prettiest 4x4 truck on earth with the best mudders and torture it by never leaving the gravel!!!??? my old man has a canadian '67 and i'd shoot anything in NA with it.
 
Win Cdn Centennial .30-30 Rifle....

If you decide to pass on it I'll take it for $375.... ;) :p

Seriously, both the rifle and carbine version of this particular commemorative with the octagonal barrels make great shooters.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
NAA said:
If you decide to pass on it I'll take it for $375.... ;) :p

Seriously, both the rifle and carbine version of this particular commemorative with the octagonal barrels make great shooters.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah....so true fellas! BUT.......they have systemic 'issues.'
The year 2005, that deer season, I shot a big whitetail buck.
Due mostly in part with practicing using a 26 inch barrelled 1967 Canadian Centennial Commemorative just like H Wally's.
Now one reason I personally believe they sell so reasonably is because there are many specific parts, especially the Canadian Commemoratives, that for pratical purposes make them a series unto thier own. If you dont believe me compare it along side another Post-64 and you'll see what I mean. This makes it a Post-64, that does not fully jive with other Post-64s! Especially the bottom metal parts under the receiver. The poor thing is infested with the cheap roll pins as well.
Given what has been stated here amongst others.....they were not meant to be shot often. Hence, they also have the crappiest shell lifters, ever put on a Winchester unfortuneately. The senior parts guy at Western Gun Parts, told me they are a nightmare to keep functioning long term as a repeating rifle due to the substandard metalurgy used to make them.
But that long barrel, makes for super steady offhand practice, that deep black reciever is black chrome plated too. No corrossion to be had there!
I intended to hunt mine that year, (the rifle) but the shell lifter broke and I reverted to the 1956 made carbine instead that fall deer season.
I still used the CC rifle for single shot practice at the range though.
Silverback and myself had alot of fun, clanging & banging the 200 yard metal gong that summer/fall, with these winchesters.
 
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H Wally said:
Haha - that makes me feel better :) I closed the deal and then checked this thread and just about had a heart attack! :p
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Sorry I was late.....Silverback just notified me, and I posted immediately.

The worst thing that can happen is the shell stop intergated into link/lever assy wearing out.
Very $$$$ fix! Until repaired, one is stuck with single loading, directly into the chamber.

The stamped metal shell lifter, is cheap & easy to replace with at least a cast replacement.

Cheers.............
 
I have the carbine version of the canadian comm. I like the look, no brass, "a very patriotic" rifle, heavy oct. barrel and what they say is true, they will reach out and touch something distance wise. I have had problems with rounds cycling. They become stuck on the shell lifter and won't load straight. If I'm lucky I get three rounds out before this happens. All parts are stamped and it's true the shell lifters are horrid. If I want reliability I take my pre-64.
 
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