Winchester Model 88
- Thread starter Warstiner
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
If I'm not mistaken, some years ago Winchester advised 88 owners not to shoot them. I think there was a bolt/firing pin problem, and since they are an older gun, Winchester had no fix for them. I remember seeing an add in the gun magazines. Since Winchester couldn't fix them, there was no recall, just advice not to shoot them. I don't know if this is still valid.
Thanks for the replys, I went to a gun show today and a guy there had an 88 in 308 for $699. Its been tough to get any good info in this rifle not many people know much about it. Again thanks all for any info you might have. This might make a good rifle for my coues deer hunt
Dfariswheel
New member
Cactus:
Thanks, you're right, it was the M-100. What ever came of that?
Thanks, you're right, it was the M-100. What ever came of that?
neil pilling
New member
I can't say much about the price but the 88 is a good gun. My father has one in .308 w/ a redfield 4X scope. it is a very quick handling set up and very accurate. The trigger has a little creep. But I would hunt with it. Good luck.
m 100 firing pin
Dfariswheel, The firing pin on the model 100 winchester could and did develope a burr on the forward portion of the pin where it entered the front portion of the bolt face. The pin could and sometimes did stick there and would slam fire when loading the next round.
The fix by winchester was to redesign the firing pin so it could not peen over and stick. The owners that could be found were notified and a public recall was started. At first you had to send the rifle to a few locations in the us to have the replacement pin installed cost free.
I worked for a gun shop at that time and the owner got authorized to do the replacements. I did hundreds of the m-100's. About 10% had the burrs on them severe enough to cause problems. I believe I could do one blindfolded.
Beware of m-100's in gun shows. You can't be sure it has the pin replaced until you take it completely apart. I don't know if replacement pins are still available, I would guess so.
Dfariswheel, The firing pin on the model 100 winchester could and did develope a burr on the forward portion of the pin where it entered the front portion of the bolt face. The pin could and sometimes did stick there and would slam fire when loading the next round.
The fix by winchester was to redesign the firing pin so it could not peen over and stick. The owners that could be found were notified and a public recall was started. At first you had to send the rifle to a few locations in the us to have the replacement pin installed cost free.
I worked for a gun shop at that time and the owner got authorized to do the replacements. I did hundreds of the m-100's. About 10% had the burrs on them severe enough to cause problems. I believe I could do one blindfolded.
Beware of m-100's in gun shows. You can't be sure it has the pin replaced until you take it completely apart. I don't know if replacement pins are still available, I would guess so.
Snuffy, I had my 100 in for an extraction problem last year and the gunsmith told me he pulled mine apart to check on the firing pin and it had been replaced. He said the firing pin was still available but he couldn't get a extractor. I also have a 88 in .308, and know others who own them. Only problem I know of is some have a heavy trigger pull. MWT
Cheesehead
New member
M88 Opinion
Warstiner,
That's a fair price. The pre-64's have a little bit more value. The were taken out of production in the early '70s.
You may want to look at whether it has a recoil pad installed and if the front sight hood is missing. Both of these lower the value slightly.
It's a fair price either way.
I own a few. I've always liked the way they came up to my shoulder. They are as accurate a lever action as you will get due to the unique rotary locking bolt (unique to lever-actions that is). Sort of like a bolt-action the way it locks up. The trigger is a little creepy.
Extra magazines are expensive, too.
Enjoy the rifle!
Cheesehead
Warstiner,
That's a fair price. The pre-64's have a little bit more value. The were taken out of production in the early '70s.
You may want to look at whether it has a recoil pad installed and if the front sight hood is missing. Both of these lower the value slightly.
It's a fair price either way.
I own a few. I've always liked the way they came up to my shoulder. They are as accurate a lever action as you will get due to the unique rotary locking bolt (unique to lever-actions that is). Sort of like a bolt-action the way it locks up. The trigger is a little creepy.
Extra magazines are expensive, too.
Enjoy the rifle!
Cheesehead
Thanks to all for more replys!!
Ive learned alot about the 88. It has the front sight shroud and no recoil pad. Found out today its had less than 40 rounds through it. The previous owner still has 7 rounds of Norma 100gr that he bought with the rifle.
I think Ive found a fine rifle
Cheesehead:
Forgive my ignorance but whats trigger creep??
Ive learned alot about the 88. It has the front sight shroud and no recoil pad. Found out today its had less than 40 rounds through it. The previous owner still has 7 rounds of Norma 100gr that he bought with the rifle.
I think Ive found a fine rifle
Cheesehead:
Forgive my ignorance but whats trigger creep??
Cheesehead
New member
Trigger Creep
What I call trigger creep is where you can feel the trigger parts "grinding" across one another as you pull.
Real good triggers are extremely smooth and you won't feel any of that "grinding" at all.
The 88 has a somewhat heave and creepy trigger. From what I understand a gunsmith can't really do much with it because of how the trigger is part of the lever action mechanism.
What I call trigger creep is where you can feel the trigger parts "grinding" across one another as you pull.
Real good triggers are extremely smooth and you won't feel any of that "grinding" at all.
The 88 has a somewhat heave and creepy trigger. From what I understand a gunsmith can't really do much with it because of how the trigger is part of the lever action mechanism.