Winchester 88

[mysticbear]

There is a recent thread re: Winchester model 88's $$value. There is mention to the fact that it was a pre 64 model.

I was aware that there was a change in Winchester's manufacturing methods in 1964 for the model 98 lever action. Did this change apply to all of their firearms or just specific models.

My 88 was made in 1966 and was just wondering.

mb

 

[Norm99]

MB,

There was a change for the 88 lever action as well,but from everything that I've read, the change was not necessarily for the worst. There is considerable debate over this but bottom line is, the post 64 88s seem to sell just as well as the pre 64s. There doesn't seem to be much difference on the american auction sites. Sometimes when manufacturing changes happen (ie. the savage 99) quality suffers. I'm not sure the same is true of Winchester.

Norm

 

[chappy]

i believe the pre 64 had cut checkering and post went to impreesed ccheckering, not as nice looking.

 

[senior]

Handled a pre-64 the other day & it had a much better trigger than my posts, don't know whether that was gun specific or maybe they all do??

 

[madtrapper143]

Pre 64 models 88 had a machined steel lever. Post 64's were cast from some alloy. My 88 is very early and has a "clover leaf' tang and cut checkering. I much prefer the older 88's but they all kill deer the same.

Darryl

 

[matt88]

I have a first year production model 88, and love it! But is there somthing that can be done with the horrible trigger?

 

[madtrapper143]

They can be cleaned up a bit by a good smith, but that was a weak point in the 88 design. Mushy heavy triggers seem to be the norm. I have learned to shoot mine without taking any real notice of the trigger. When I go back to my Remington 700 it almost feels unsafe when the trigger breaks at 3 pounds with no creep. Oh well when a deer is bounding through the blow down the trigger pull is the last thing on your mind.

Darryl