Winchester model 100

[jharriet]

I have aquired a winchester model 100 in .243. It is an awesome shooting rifle and I really enjoy it. I can't wait to try it out on some game. I am curious what the approx. value of this rifle would be?
Seems to be around 95% of new condition, it is dated 1951, making this the oldest semi-auto I have seen locally.
I am wondering the approximate value of this rifle, I do no plan on selling it I would just like to know.

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Sorry for the crappy pic.

 

[tiriaq]

That is a really rare one, made 10 years before the model was introduced, and before the cartridge was invented.
I'd guess it is worth about $600. These rifles do have a following. Has it had the firing pin replaced under the factory recall?

 

[SandRoad]

Your dates are off. They were first manufactured in 1961. The early ones had cut checkering, and after 1964, they had pressed checkering as on your rifle.

Not certain of current value, the 243 is less common. Most were in 308. A guess at value would be $500-600.

 

[jharriet]

That is a really rare one, made 10 years before the model was introduced, and before the cartridge was invented.
I'd guess it is worth about $600. These rifles do have a following. Has it had the firing pin replaced under the factory recall?

Haha I meant 1961, and I'm not 100% sure if that is correct. The firing pin was not replaced, it was in an attic for 30+ years were I found it. I've put about 100 shells through it with no misfires or jams yet. (Knock on wood)

 

[jharriet]

Your dates are off. They were first manufactured in 1961. The early ones had cut checkering, and after 1964, they had pressed checkering as on your rifle.

Not certain of current value, the 243 is less common. Most were in 308. A guess at value would be $500-600.

Yes my dates are deffinatly wrong given the pressed checkering. It is a very ###y looking rifle for the value, I would of payed upwards of $500 anyday, although I didn't I like the acorns or chestnuts in the engraving.
Does anyone know of a website I can search the serial# on to find the year it was produced? The one I searched it on previously is obviously wrong.
Thanks for the replys.

 

[lilsurfer]

Yes my dates are deffinatly wrong given the pressed checkering. It is a very ###y looking rifle for the value, I would of payed upwards of $500 anyday, although I didn't I like the acorns or chestnuts in the engraving.
Does anyone know of a website I can search the serial# on to find the year it was produced? The one I searched it on previously is obviously wrong.
Thanks for the replys.

Google search "Winchester 100 serial numbers" and click the first link (Leroy's ramblings or something). Should get $600 from the right buyer if you wanted to sell.

 

[mrgoat]

From the picture that is definitely a post 64 M-100, the tell tale sign being the basket weave checkering. The issue with the firing pin was it could possibly break with the end of the pin protruding from the bolt face and when the next round is picked up from the mag the protruding pin would strike the primer of the round being picked up firing it long before the bolt closed. Not good for the fella holding the rifle. So for safeties sake you should have the pin changed. There is no cost to you for the parts just getting the gun to and from. W.R Long out of Coburg Ont. has done hundreds if not thousands of them. There is also a number you can call in the states. They will ship you the parts but you have to ship them the old parts. Trouble with that is now your into a pile of paper work to get the parts shipped out of the US. To much trouble for a firing pin. Sorry sitting here I don't have the phone numbers at hand for Longs or the in the states. If you google M-100 firing pin replacement you should come up with all the info required.

Taking a M-100 apart is tricky, getting it back together is even trickier. Example: After getting the action from the stock there is a pin to push out to get the slide bars free to start the process. Pushing out that pin without holding the slide bars properly will result in parts and springs flying across the room in all directions. It's not rocket science, just a few little things to watch out for and be careful doing. Changing the firing pin out on your own I would not suggest as stripping the rifle down completely down to change a pin is difficult if you have never had a M-100 apart before. Again google and Utube will be your best friend in learning how to disassemble and reassemble your rifle. I could take a hour and write you a small service manual on how to do it but a utube tutorial is worth a thousand words.
After a 100 rounds your gun needs to be cleaned, these guns are known to jam if not kept meticulously clean. One trick is to keep your cartridges and mags clean and very lightly oiled. I have found dry gritty cartridges will jam up while being fed into the chamber stopping the bolt from completely closing. Also keep the chamber clean and lightly oiled. We had one jamming at the hunt camp last fall. We cleaned and "lightly" oiled the chamber, cartridges and it worked like a charm after that. The gas system should be thoroughly cleaned and "not" oiled. Some years of these rifles has stainless gas system parts others had blued steel parts. These parts tend to condensation on them and rust, especially in fall and winter temps. Hence the stainless. Seems in the later years to save on production costs they switch to plain steel. My 1961 has stainless parts for example.

My Dad bought one of these rifles in 308 in 1961. I have owned it since the early seventies. Great eastern deer rifle, but like I said keep it clean or you will be cursing at it. The mags command a hefty price, anywhere from 60 to 100 bucks apiece. Watch out for beat up and abused mags for sale. If the lips of the mags are damaged or slightly bent they will cause jamming.

Very nice rifles overall, but its no AK-47 so you have to take care of it and keep it clean, and it should serve you well.

 

[Joe549]

The M-100 is a fantastic rifle. I picked one up last summer for $300, .308 made in '66, barely a mark on the stock except for the clear coat flaking off on the buttstock, bluing is 99.9% with the crown being the only spot showing any wear. It even has the original leather sling.


Firing pin recall
PO Box 10
Cottage Hills Illinois
62018

Disassembly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtBiO-onuSs&list=FL7YwSu-TVsAZzACyZ8_kmlQ&index=6

Reassembly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqJ3saXl3aA&list=FL7YwSu-TVsAZzACyZ8_kmlQ

Page 34 for the M100
http://www.winchesterguns.com/support/files/images/wfa/2012-All/2012-Articles/Winchester-Manufacture-Dates-by-Year----2012-Scanned-Documents.pdf