value of model 71 Browning?

jjohnwm

jjohnwm

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I need a consensus on the value of a gun to be listed soon. It's a Japanese-made Browning model 71 repro, .348Win, standard-grade carbine. Perfect bore, perfect metalwork except for one small blotchy area above the loading gate (from an old blood spot, I think)...difficult to see in some light, easy in others. The wood itself is excellent, only a very few, very small handling marks, but the finish itself has dulled considerably around the comb. Original metal buttplate. Used and hunted for years, silky-smooth action, crisp trigger, excellent accuracy and 100% function, no issues at all. A beautiful hunter, not a mint-condition collector. The steel Lyman will not be included. If Photobucket cooperates, here are some pics. The last one shows the metal blotch at its worst.

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Thanks, guys. And yes, I know my photography sucks. These were the cream of the crop...you should have seen the 20 or so deleted ones! :)
 
the ones that I have seen have all been in the $1200-$1300 range. I wouldn't mind a carbine, but for that money there are other things that I would go with instead.
 
They are sweet, aren't they? I bought this one in the early 80's at Hallam's in Toronto (anybody remember them?). It was previously-owned but mint, never fired. I took it home, shot it a few times (I could never resist firing any gun, even when everyone said I shouldn't) and said to myself "Wow...I'll bet this would be fun to hunt with!" And it was, for 30+ years! I like Marlin .45-70's and .44's, never warmed up to Win94's or the .30-30 cartridge, but when I shot this gun I knew that it just put them all to shame. Lots of shooters smirk quietly when they meet a hunter carrying a .30-30...I do also, but for a different reason than most. :)

And, before I get another PM about it: No, the Lyman sight is not for sale! :) It's already perched on its new home-rifle, and it is staying there. I'm just trying to decide whether or not to put a Williams' on the 71 before I list it. Works just as well as the Lyman, maybe even better because it has no knobs for prying fingers to mis-adjust...but so unattractive on such a nice old gun!
 
jjohnwm said:
They are sweet, aren't they? I bought this one in the early 80's at Hallam's in Toronto (anybody remember them?). It was previously-owned but mint, never fired. I took it home, shot it a few times (I could never resist firing any gun, even when everyone said I shouldn't) and said to myself "Wow...I'll bet this would be fun to hunt with!" And it was, for 30+ years! I like Marlin .45-70's and .44's, never warmed up to Win94's or the .30-30 cartridge, but when I shot this gun I knew that it just put them all to shame. Lots of shooters smirk quietly when they meet a hunter carrying a .30-30...I do also, but for a different reason than most. :)

And, before I get another PM about it: No, the Lyman sight is not for sale! :) It's already perched on its new home-rifle, and it is staying there. I'm just trying to decide whether or not to put a Williams' on the 71 before I list it. Works just as well as the Lyman, maybe even better because it has no knobs for prying fingers to mis-adjust...but so unattractive on such a nice old gun!
Click to expand...

I remember Hallam's (never cheap) .. met Johnny "Sombrero" (BDR) there having a BHP mended and Nick's Sporting Goods was just up the street etc etc ...

Anyway I remember when the 71 was re-issued and a good pal of mine got all excited and asked me to purchase one for him at LeBaron's and bring it up to him (I believe they were around $750) never cheap and only available in carbine as near as I could tell although they advertised rifles frequently! It was a lever gun - I didnt understand his enthusiasm - I was a "bolt action guy".. and I didnt care for lever's ('94's:rolleyes:??) back then ... unfortunately I didn't realize the impressive strength of the 71 design or the slick action they would develop with use and I also started to really like the curved lever and PG grip! And I discovered that the rimmed 348 was an impressive round that did exactly as advertised - based on first hand experience witnessing my friends success on game. So over the years I have grown to admire them and appreciate the uniqueness of the rifle -- I now frequently find myself looking at ads for 71 carbines .... which are few and far between --- but today they stay just a little out of reach for me based on my other options - BUT its "on the List"!!.
 
Yeah, I actually wanted the long-barrel one as well, but as you say, LeBaron's advertised all kinds of things that never actually materialized in their warehouse. I quickly decided that the carbine was the perfect-handling lever and didn't regret the purchase. It was the perfect gun with which to impress new (and older!) shooters...once I was thoroughly familiar with it, I could hold it just so, cycle the lever and catch the empty cartridge in my right hand, all the while casually talking eye-to-eye with someone, never looking at the gun or the empty. Childish, but fun...:)

You have to get older, but you can remain immature forever!
 
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jjohnwm said:
Yeah, I actually wanted the long-barrel one as well, but as you say, LeBaron's advertised all kinds of things that never actually materialized in their warehouse. I quickly decided that the carbine was the perfect-handling lever and didn't regret the purchase. It was the perfect gun with which to impress new (and older!) shooters...once I was thoroughly familiar with it, I could hold it just so, cycle the lever and catch the empty cartridge in my left hand, all the while casually talking eye-to-eye with someone, never looking at the gun or the empty. Childish, but fun...:)

You have to get older, but you can remain immature forever!
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how true!! and I am now at an age that I dont care!! Thats the first real freedom from guilt and self conscious insecurity I have had since I was 5 years old.

I havent held a rifle version of the 71 that I recall so this is speculation but I think that the carbine is the preferred length for the 71 --- I think it sits easier in the arms while still hunting and is perfect for a stand. Maybe if a guy had one of those great big 45 or 50 caliber conversions a rifle length barrel would add some heft and get the muzzle blast further out ... but for the 348 cartridge and most hunting the carbine seems perfect . I dont think there is any nicer rifle to carry and fondle if you are just off for a jaunt in the woods --- and want to be loaded for anything!! When you get bored or want to sit on a stump and reflect -- you'll sure have something nice to admire.
 
Yep, that's why I no longer use this gun for benchrest or FTR competition. :)

This is a huntin' rifle!

Anyways, I've listed it now.
 
Bought an unfired in box Browning 71 Carbine standard grade a few years ago off another Nutter. I may pop its cherry this summer, no point in gathering dust-there's a big buck out there and that rifle will point like a magic wand and hit like a sledgehammer. I have brass and 200's and 250's to build up. I have built up a nice little collection of vintage .348 ammo too including red box 250's and a blue Peters box of 200's. Always on the lookout for more too esp the elusive 150's
 
contaucreek said:
Bought an unfired in box Browning 71 Carbine standard grade a few years ago off another Nutter. I may pop its cherry this summer, no point in gathering dust-there's a big buck out there and that rifle will point like a magic wand and hit like a sledgehammer. I have brass and 200's and 250's to build up. I have built up a nice little collection of vintage .348 ammo too including red box 250's and a blue Peters box of 200's. Always on the lookout for more too esp the elusive 150's
Click to expand...

I was going to say that Epps got in a box of Remington KLEANBORE .348 WIN 150-GRAINs in, but I just checked and they are GONE. .348 anything doesn't last long. Hopefully it was you that got them, and I'm not saying that just to be nice so that one day perhaps I could get an opportunity to purchase your Carbine. :d
I now own (3) model 71s, but all 24" barrels. Keeping my eye out for 20" barrel deluxe, with sling and peep sight is one of the reasons I check this site daily.
 
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I have a 24" standard original with the Redfield peep on it that I hunt with occasionally but I had a Browning 71 carbine in really nice shape that I foolishly sold. I don't know why I do these things. Should'a had a V-8, I guess.
 
I paid $1000 for my rifle 3 or 4 years ago from a guy trying to sell his grandfathers rifle at the Brandon Gun Show. I was willing to meet his price where the dealers couldn't.

Now I've got a collection of brass, bullets, and a mold so that firing factory ammo doesn't hurt so much! $84 for a box of 20 last time I looked at Wholesale.

I've also added a Williams peep sight on my gun, and lug that heavy bugger around in northern mb when I go moose hunting.
 
Thank you John,
Your rifle has finally arrived at its new loving home.

Now that you have more of my money than I do, I`ll be at home drooling over the photos of your over under on the EE for the next few weeks.
 
I was suffering from seller's remorse on that one before I even mailed it, Terry...send it back, and I'll apply that cash towards the double! :)
 
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