Author Topic: Where to buy a Mod 70? (Read 1810 times)

HuntingGuy · « **on:** February 09, 2006, 02:51:23 PM »

Hi all... Looking for the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express .375 H&H. Where in the world can I still get one (and at a price that isn't gouged!?). Any help or leads would be great.

P.S Sorry for the double post in the other forum, need it here. Feel free to remove other.

nasem · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2006, 02:58:56 PM »

Ya know, about 7 weeks ago or so, I went to walmart and got me a brand new 375 h&h classic stainless winchester 70 (for $567, IT WAS A FREAKING STEAL). I have only put about 60 rounds through it and people are offering me CRAZY things for it, my friend is right now offering me his browning BAR (in 338 win mag) Plus $500 dollars on top just go get it from me and I keep saying no.

about 2 days ago, I found out that my father's old time buddy closed down his gun shop and had a few model 70s left (but only one of them was a classic stainless 375 h&h), I went a head and had to LITTERALLY fight (it was an auction) to death to obtain it, got it for about $1200, right now I have 2x 375 h&h and people are like, GOING CRAZY for any of them lol.

Im gonna wait about 6 months to a year then sell them both and make some serious cash,

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:09:53 PM »

Found a few new guns in the model you speak of along my search, but I am interested in the Safari model.

bbstacker · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2006, 11:39:20 PM »

I wanted the same gun, they are gone ended up settling for a Stainless model.

Muskie Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2006, 11:53:29 PM »

Hunting Guy,
Hang in there for about another six months then you should be able to find one with no problem for about 2,000.00 big ones.Just my thoughts.

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:04:37 AM »

For 2,000 big ones: I will pass, don't need it that bad :-D Ruger is lookin mighty nice. Cheers.

jvs · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2006, 10:05:24 PM »

I think a good question to ask at this point is If you wanted a Winchester, why didn't you buy one last year, when it might have done the Company some good. Buying one now doesn't do much for Winchester, only the guy in the middle.

Just out of curiosity, I called my local Gun Dealer last night and asked him if he had any Model 70 Featherweights in stock. "Yup, I have 3... a 243, a 270 and a 300 SAM. He also had a good supply of other Winchesters on hand. Is a Winchester a Rifle that "I gotta have NOW?" NO! Even though I am sad about Winchester closing down, discontinuing the Model 70 and eliminating those jobs, I won't be the Vulture, swarming over the carcass of a once proud Name.

The moral of this story is: You can be taken to the cleaners now, if you aren't thinking properly.

If you always wanted a Winchester and never got one then this is the time to move on it. But if you think that the Rifle you just bought is going to skyrocket in Value just because it is a Winchester, just remember that Winchester went belly up because they couldnt sell enough rifles to survive. Which means they lost market share for other reasons and had no demand for their product.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2006, 07:59:24 AM »

Read my lips---Winchesters WILL NOT go up in value---repeat---WILL NOT------these aren't like banned AR's in 94.

They are a rifle with little to no demand--if they were so good they'd be selling like hotcakes and the line would continue---see Tikka for how things are done these days.

They have been selling Model 70's since 1925---so its not like they are scarce and can't be found anywhere---heck the local Walmart has a bunch of them in stock and thats just one store.

Part of this closing has to do with the leasing rights of the Winchester name from Olin---FN didn't want to continue the arrangement----some other outfit will pick up the rights sooner or later.

If you're buying a Winchester because thats what you want---more power to ya-----if you're buying one cause you think you're gonna make a killing---DREAM ON----I'll sell ya some swamp land in Florida..............

This is kind of like when the gas prices jumped on 9/11---nothing happened to the structure of the supply system from the tanker to the gas pump---yet the prices jumped that day anyway----this plant closing is the same way---in the end nobody really wanted a Winchester anyway---and any price hikes will be temporary.

nasem · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2006, 09:12:18 AM »

Omaha-

No body here is saying Winchester rifles "will go UP in value"; there is a major difference between going up in value and becoming extremely rare.

right now, if you find your self a mustang model 1967 Shelby, if you really think about it, it does not out-perform the new mustangs nor does it look better, drive better, its not even faster than the new mustangs... then why the heck is is more expensive to buy one ?? Think about it, market RARITY.

Same thing with Winchester rifles, they are not better than browning, heck browning rifles are better made and look just as nice as the Winchesters and cost almost the same, and they aren't going out of business.... but the point is.... Market rarity!!!

You can find 10,000 people who think "eh, Winchester, whatever, I dun care, Ill just get a Remington / browning instead"

but out of those 10,000 people, you will ALWAYS find one Winchester fanatic who will pay a good sum just to get one in his hands.

Its obvious you don't like Winchester but that doesn't mean everyone feels like you

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2006, 10:20:18 AM »

"Its obvious you don't like Winchester but that doesn't mean everyone feels like you"-------seems the proof is in the the pudding----if that were the case----the plant wouldn't be closing eh???

Not to mention this ain't the first go around for Winchester closing its doors. When is comes down to it USRAC isn't even a "real" Winchester----just the latest pretender in a long line.

I've got a model 70 I'm quite happy with--thing is I only paid $135 for it---then another $150 or so to make it more functional and pretty.

Would I pay full price for it??---NO WAY!-----but for what I've got into it ---I got a steal.

Come to think of it---I still need to post pics.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2006, 07:05:40 PM »

I live in St.Louis..and my dealer has had 2 price increases in this month already for all of his mod 70's..and also on his model 94's..he sold completely out of his 94's except for 2 high grades..one is $1795...and the other is $4000.00..he went from having 50-75 model 70's on hand to around 15-17..and he has had distributers calling him to see what he has in stock..I bought a stainless featherweight 308 and I'm glad I did..it was his last..Will they become more valuable..matbe...maybe not..but you can bet..the better grade ones will certainly hold their value..and the rarer ones will go up in price..including the pre-64's....now...about those temporary gas prices..how long have they been over $2.00 a gallon?

Mac

jvs · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2006, 03:20:47 AM »

Any Winchester made now will probably never reach pre-64 status. I don't care if you pay 50% over MSRP or 50% under MSRP for a new one.

Why anyone would want to get into a bidding war over something that is likely to decrease in value is beyond me. Your best bet might be to pick up a nice pre-64, just in case nobody buys the Winchester name. Anything made now is still after 1964, and unless a new manufacturer would want to bring back the old quality, nothing made since will compete with the older ones.

kenscot · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2006, 12:56:49 AM »

I saw a lefty 375 H&H African Classic for about 1100. I am concidering it just not sure what I would use it for. But I do not see any else offering this caliber as a lefty except for browning in their stainless stalker model

lilabner · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2006, 08:59:05 AM »

Check out CZ

dukkillr · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2006, 11:55:57 AM »

Quote

Any Winchester made now will probably never reach pre-64 status. I don't care if you pay 50% over MSRP or 50% under MSRP for a new one.

Why anyone would want to get into a bidding war over something that is likely to decrease in value is beyond me. Your best bet might be to pick up a nice pre-64, just in case nobody buys the Winchester name. Anything made now is still after 1964, and unless a new manufacturer would want to bring back the old quality, nothing made since will compete with the older ones.

So true.

nasem · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:51:38 PM »

this is what Im talkin about...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=44744278

winchester rifles WILL go up in value, this rifle was worth $1000 in november - december, regardless if you like winchester rifles, they WILL go up in value esspecially the new once.....

dukkillr · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2006, 05:50:36 PM »

They will go up while idiots over pay for them... they will go down when people calm down. 2 years from now they'll be back to where they were 6 months ago. 6 years from now when japan is making 70s and 94s they'll be cheaper than ever.

The entire thing is based on fan based panic, nothing else. You can get better rifles for less money. They aren't the winchesters of old. They are 300$ at Wal-mart. The market has lost nothing from a functional standpoint. It's lost little to nothing from an American History standpoint. There are a gajillion of those things out there and I suspect they'll be new ones on the market in a few years anyway.

When the fanatics become sated the whole market will calm down.

msorenso · « **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:33:28 AM »

duckillr,

You are so correct ( I pray you are anyway ). Though I have bought up a few there is only one of them that I have paid a premium for! Just hope they are made again in the future!

What is the latest???

Zachary · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:51:15 AM »

To me, it is just crazy to spend over 3 grand for a rifle that you could have purchased for $1,000 a year ago. We live in a crazy world.

Zachary

dukkillr · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2006, 06:27:54 AM »

Quote

To me, it is just crazy to spend over 3 grand for a rifle that you could have purchased for $1,000 a year ago. We live in a crazy world.

And you can get a better rifle for less money. This is like if they stopped making Mossbergs and they suddenly became more expensive than brownings. Anyone who panicked and bought one should have their heads checked because they're paying premium dollar for a budget gun.

nasem · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2006, 12:36:23 PM »

I said this before, its NOT ABOUT how good the rifle is or how much its worth.... its ALL about how "RARE" its become in the market today..... you will ALWAYS find a winchester fanatic(s) who will pay top dollar for a USA made winchester and thats the bottom line

In the same site, gunbroker, 2 days ago was sold a winchester classic stainless 375 h&h which was used and was on 90% condition (it was taken to africa and other hunts) and it was sold for $1020..... This same rifle was only worth about $750(brand new) about 4-5 months ago......

And I do agree, there are better rifles (or just as good) as winchester that cost alot less, like the browning a-bolts, or thier competitive brother; remingtons, the CZ-550s are awesom too, but still, those rifles are NOT rare, therefore thier prices are still normal.

some people just have extra cash to burn, and other benefit out of that deal, thats all

razmuz · « **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2006, 05:00:15 PM »

Got a Featherweight in 6.5X55 for $609 at Sports World. They only had one more 243. Haven't shot it yet. It looks real good with Leo 2,5X8/36 and Talley mounts. Guy at gun store told me the WSM's weren't selling. The 375 & 6.5X55 are most asked for.

msorenso · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2006, 05:30:19 PM »

razmuz,
Nice work!!!

lilabner · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2006, 06:54:37 AM »

This reminds me of the stock market, which is driven by fear and greed. The rush to get the last new rifle ends after the last new rifle is sold. At that point, the value of the rifles will depend on workmanship and reputation. Very rarely do you encounter a large magnum which has the barrel shot out, so there are good numbers of quality pre 64s out there which will continue to bring premium prices in years to come. I suppose if you could establish that you have the last 70 built before the factory closure you might sell it on e-bay to someone interested in an oddity. Someone recently sold a wad of bubble gum chewed by a baseball all star on e-bay.

nasem · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2006, 05:30:57 AM »

check this out.... this gun was only worth $800 about 6 months ago

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=45236276

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2006, 04:04:14 PM »

I'd take an A-Bolt over that synthetic 70 any day.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #26 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:22:15 AM »

There is a years supply of Model 70's sitting at distributors. The last few I have seen have been even more miserable quality then then ones that brought the company down. If they were made like pre-64's and were limited in production they would increase in value. Not these babies and you can bank on it ..this is only a temporary phenomenon. My gander mountain has tons of these sitting on the racks and no one is buying them. FWIW

nasem · « **Reply #27 on:** March 27, 2006, 12:10:59 PM »

where is your gander mountain.... I'll come and buy all of them classic stainless's in 375 h&h IF AND ONLY IF thier price is same as when they were still in bussiness

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #28 on:** March 28, 2006, 07:18:15 AM »

Quote

where is your gander mountain.... I'll come and buy all of them classic stainless's in 375 h&h IF AND ONLY IF thier price is same as when they were still in bussiness

It's located in Greensboro NC and they have a pile of Model 70's which they have jacked up 100-150 over when Winchester was still in business. They have no 375's . If you follow Gunbroker at all I sold a supergrade RMEF in 300 wsm for 3 x what I paid for with a buy it now. I have a few more 70's but I know they are not bringing what they were even 2 weeks ago. I don't know whether to get rid of them or hold them.

nasem · « **Reply #29 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:48:42 AM »

the only winchester 70s that got REALLY jacked up where thier 375 h&hs, those got doubled and tripped thier original values