Old Winchester model 43

Algonquin

Algonquin

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Hey folks,

Could anyone shed a little light on where I can find some information on the Winchester Model 43?
I would like to learn about pros and cons since they're a long-discontinued line from the '50s there should be scads of articles scattered in rifle mags since that time.
That is unless they were universally reviled and considered crap.

I have one in nice condition and would just like to get a better handle on how I might best use it--or not. It's a 22-Hornet which is an entirely different question and I will resist asking if it would be OK for moose.

Thanks all,

FM
 
The Winchester M-43 was introduced in 1949 and remained in production until 1957. It was designed as a turn bolt magazine fed rifle suitable for small cartridges, and was chambered in .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .25-20 and .32-20. There were 2 versions,the M-43 standard and the M-43 Special. The special had select wood, better checkering, and a Lyman M-57 receiver sight.

The M-43 could be viewed as a beefed up M-69A rimfire with two locking lugs rather than one. The action should probably be considered marginal for the .22 Hornet and .218 Bee in modern loadings. Owners of rifles chambered for these cartridges reported excessive headspace. The rifle was not considered a success for Winchester.
 
Model 43

Thanks Boomer,

Hmmm, sounds like maybe mine should go back on the "ForSale" table...

I have a special, has checkering as described but no Lyman sight as it was drilled/tapped for Weaver mounts. Looks pretty good overall but I wanted a good varmint buster more than a re-engineering project if the M-43 really is a duffer.

Any guesses as to ballpark value?

The early Sako 22-250 I would REALLY like is typically in the $1200 range for a Deluxe.

Thanks again!

FM
 
I had a special for a while in .22 hornet. It shot so poorly that I saw no difference between .223 and .224 bullets. The trigger really sucked! It was a cool looking little rifle, but it went on the block, since I needed a deer rifle anyway. It almost paid for my M70 classis featherweight in 7mm-08, so it's one of the few rifles I've sold that I don't want back.
 
I have the plain Jane model given to me by my father.

He shot coast blacktail deer with it for years, all neck shots.

I shot it on and off over the years too, but after shooting better rifles and putting a Timney on my Husquvarna 270, I was shocked when I scoped the old Model 43 and took it to the range.

The first shot I tried to take with it, I thought I'd left the safety on.

Nope. It's that stiff.

I'd ever sell it as it's my father's, and if I had a woodchuck or gopher or other varmint problem I'd use it, on coyotes too if I wanted to, but I don't.
 
I had one for a while and sold it only because there's not much use in my life for a 22 hornet. I enjoyed the little bolt action a lot though. My particular rifle was a deluxe and had about the best trigger I've ever shot! Likely improved by someone at some point. It wasn't exactly a tack driver - shot around 1.5 to 2 MOA. I put it on the block here and it sold pronto, IIRC for about 650. They're good old school rifles IMO and fairly rare.
 
M-43

Was looking on Guns America and those sorts of outfits to get some idea of demand and while the standard version goes for about $500 the Deluxe or Special might go near enough double that if condition is v. good.
Does this indicate Winchester collectors will pay more than a Model 43 is really worth to get one, or what?

Doesn't seem like anywhere close to the same demand up here.

Cheers,

FM
 
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