[Amos Iron Wolf]

So, I get that AR pistol all put together, maybe $450 in it total. I have one guy at work, our part time warehouseman getting his AK out of layaway and it has a few extras. I'll offer him a trade maybe as I don't have an AK currently and do want to get another eventually.

Well another guy who I work closer with decides not to tell the guy I wanted to talk to him about the trade because he decides he wants the AR pistol pretty bad. When I first started working there as the firearms specialist this guy had snagged a nice Winchester Model 88 rifle in .308 Win that had dropped. It didn't have a magazine, but it was a really nice rifle. Turns out it was made in 1963. I told the guy that if he ever decided to let it go I got first dibs. In fact I made him promise. me.

So guess what I get offered in trade for the AR pistol? Yep, the Win Model 88. Well, DUH! Of course I will! I brought it home this evening and quickly got online to Numrich and ordered a magazine. I've got my eye on a few auctions for some vintage scope bases such as the old Weaver tip off complete with rings and an old Redfield base. Just the thing to use to mount the old Weaver K3-W I have had sitting here waiting on a rifle someday.

After ordering the mag I did a quick phone pic of the gun so I could show it here and msg it to my saddle pard. I think I did pretty good for once.



I'm kind of tempted to skip the scope and put either a William FP or a Lyman receiver sight on it, but the old eyes could use the glass. Even then I'm torn between sticking with the old Weaver for the period look or a new scope that would be brighter and clearer for those early morning and late evening shots. Yeah, I would hunt with it.

 

[dsf]

I have a 1st year made 88 and liked it so much I bought a Winchester 100. Beautiful rifles, but the 88 is a major PITA to reassemble. It's one of the few rifles I had to resort to a YouTube video to do. I made the mistake of working the action with the barreled action out of the stock, must have passed some "point of no return" because I couldn't get the bolt or lever to move forward from the fully rear position.

I've put a 1960's made Redfield 2 to 8X on each, the 88 carries period correct mounts that attach directly to the receiver. The 100 uses an old Pachmayr swing mount. I have older Williams peep rear on each as back up. Three sighting set ups should be enough.

Regarding the Numrich mags, I found them to be hit or miss. Sometimes they snap & hold, other times they don't, especially the 100.

I don't know why these rifles don't sell for more - glad they don't though.

 

[BruceM]

I seem to remember that the M88's and M100's went thru a recall some time back because of bad firing pins. It might be worth it to change the existing FP with one of new manufacture to avoid future issues unless you know for a fact that it was already replaced.

Bruce

 

[L.E.]

Beautiful, Amos. I love old guns.
Now, if you can just find a carbon-fiber bull-barrel for it, and a tacticool all-weather composite stock, with a wireless Iphone uplink...........
L.

 

[oldag]

Congrats. Nice find.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Thanks guys.

I checked up on the recall and that was for the early M100 firing pin. It could break and end up protruding causing not only going full auto, but also firing out of battery. The good part of researching about a recall was I found a source for firing pins and some other parts. Not cheap at $65 and up for a firing pin, but at least available.

Now if I get lucky on the mag from Numrich and get a good one it'll be all good.

 

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Nice looking old iron and wood.

I hope you enjoy it for a long time.

 

[BruceM]

I checked up on the recall and that was for the early M100 firing pin.

It's my understanding that the recall covered both the M88 and M100. Both rifles used a similar rotary bolt, the way I understand it. If you have not already done so, Google "Winchester Model 88 Firing Pin Recall".

Bruce

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

It's my understanding that the recall covered both the M88 and M100. Both rifles used a similar rotary bolt, the way I understand it. If you have not already done so, Google "Winchester Model 88 Firing Pin Recall".

Bruce

Checked again and the recalls are all about the 100. Though there was a redesign on the 88 firing pin. Breakage on earlier ones while not epidemic, were common enough apparently. You just don't have to worry about slam fires out of battery like on the 100.

Appreciate the follow up and I'll keep an eye out for anything on the 88 and a recall. I found out that just down the road from me is a Winchester collector and well of knowledge on things Winchester and is particularly fond of the 88. I'll drop in on him sometime soon and see what he can tell me.

 

[Ruby1]

Nice thread here. I have two 88's and would like to know more about them. One was stolen in a burglary, and replaced. Later (15+ years) the PD called and had found the first one. Both were handed down to me.

 

[Capt. Methane]

Nice find!

We just put a 2.5 power Leupold on a Ruger in .308 and it's a fine scope. Nice and bright if you want to go with the more modern optics.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Just an update. Got the magazine in. It's a repro, but at less than half the price of a worn looking original. Since the gun is in nice shape, the new mag looks right at home. The mag clicks in and out of place no problem so that's a relief. Will see if it cycles rounds later.

I have a Weaver one piece base on the way and somewhere around here some older style Weaver rings, though the screw heads may be a bit buggered. If so, I still have other rings around. I guess I'll try out the Weaver K3-W first.

Still waffling. Shoot and hunt it (much more range than field), or roll it over for double the money and use that on a really nice bolt gun or maybe a BLR 81 in the same caliber. It's a really nice 88 though and it's certainly something you really don't see around much. A lot of older shooters and riflemen sort of brighten up when you mention you have one. Not a run of the mill, firearms equivalent to the old Chevy Nova, rifle to be sure.

 

[michaelcj]

Have one made in 1956....Not For Sale.

 

[USMM guy]

Offhand, I would have to say.

That you should shoot it before you decide whether to keep it or flip it.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

That you should shoot it before you decide whether to keep it or flip it.

Yeah, that's true. I don't want to get like the old days when I worked at the shop in AK part time. I'd buy or trade for guns, get dies and ammo, then trade them off before I ever got them to the range.

It is a darn nice rifle with some nice lines.