Cooeys - differences between models?

bluemike807

bluemike807

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Could anyone who has a good working knowledge of Cooeys give a breakdown of the models, their actions and the differences?

For instance, what is the difference between the Model 60/Ranger and the Model 600?
 
The model 60 Ranger was produced by Cooey and was made and stamped for Eatons dept stores I beleive. Difference between them could be the date of manufacture and mag tube length, as the model 60 and 600 both were made post 1961 with many model 60s being made well before that date..

The Cooey list I have is way too many to do a running comparison as 46 different models are listed. Though a few models produced pre 1961 were continued post 61. Hope this helps a bit. Without serial numbers ( pre-68), age can only be guessed .
 
Actually the model 60 was made from 1939-40 till winchester bought the company in 1961.Winchgester changed the mag tube length and stamped it model 600. Dates can be figured out fairly close,ie up till the 50's cooey used slot head screws and in the mid 50's they changed to phillips head screws. Cooey was a very good marketer and brand named models with the store owners brand name . Ranger was Eatons,Mercury was Woodwards. One of the biggest chains in the country was Sears as in Simpson Sears and their brand was sureshot. Most of the store chains had a house name and Cooey was very willing to put their model name on the guns they bought. During the early years most farm houses had a Cooey 22 or shotgun in their porch for predator control-----Cowboy
 
Yes, there are too many Cooey models to list diferences between them. Even amongst the same models there were variations between early ones and later ones. Names such as Ranger, Sure Shot, Eatonia, Hawkeye, Hiawatha and Mercury were trade brand names for the respective stores they were sold in. I have a number of Cooey rifles and shotguns in my collection made by both Cooey and Winchester after they took over in 1961. In my opinion, the quality went downhill after Winchester took over. I say this from comparing various guns. In regards to the model 60 and 600. The model 60 was introduced around 1939 and underwent many changes through its time until its end in 1966. The gun was re-introduced in 1967 and was called the model 600. As mentioned, there were so many models of Cooeys that if you have further questions it might be best to narrow it down to a specific model or two.
 
As previous stated Cooey did not make a centre fire rifle. Now before someone jumps me for this statement remember I'm talking about Cooey and not Cooey-Winchester. They did have employees that made shop items on their own time. I heard of a model 84 shotgun that was made into a single shot 30-30.-----Cowboy
 
The Cooey book won't show anything on parts interchangeability. I have the book. It just briefly talks about various known Cooey examples and shows some pictures. There is lots that is unknown about Cooey firearms as records don't exist and I believe John Belton's short booklet is the only book there is on Cooey firearms.
 
The most conspicuous difference between a Model 60 and a 600 is the stock. The 60s had a straight-combed stock with no checkering. The 600s had a Monte Carlo stock with pressed checkering, as well as a plastic trigger guard.
 
tjhaile said:
The most conspicuous difference between a Model 60 and a 600 is the stock. The 60s had a straight-combed stock with no checkering. The 600s had a Monte Carlo stock with pressed checkering, as well as a plastic trigger guard.
Click to expand...

My 600 has a metal trigger guard. So did all the ones I looked at when I bought mine.
 
IMHO If one considers the hurdles that Cooey would have had to bridge to produce primarily rimfires and shotguns, with the mindset of manufacturing their firearms both with, and for, Simpson Sears, Eatons etc; While at the same time being affiliated with Winchester and possibly Anschultz(?) etc etc. One may see that the humble rimfire and shotgun company was not only in good company, but was also, to some degree - truly an icon for having the foresite to establish these business relationships which contributed to a certain degree of success in a country with limitations of population size and market size found in Canada. With this in mind it makes me wonder where are our entrapreneurs (like Cooey) today...?

I've shot a few Cooeys (and particularily, wore out a Model 39) and sometimes still wish I had one. It would have been really interesting if Cooey would have survived in production as the Lakefield / Mossbergs did with Savage.

Now, knowing that some modifications and production methods have changed over the years, it would also be interesting to know that if Cooey was to be brought back into production... Would it's design still meet present day specifications for safety, reliability, and most importantly - accuracy. Because my M 39 was deadly...!
 
Maybe one of you can help me with my Cooey. I have a model 82, I use to have a model 82 trainer (Full wood) and sold it. (I don't know why I did that, it was one of the nice examples I've seen around). Anyway, I purchased another model 82 from the EE for $60. But received a model 82 in a regular wood stock (not full wood). Did Cooey also make the model 82 like this or was this a stock swap?
 
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