Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L

CAS TOPICS => Gun Reviews => Topic started by: 1stSgt Fritz King on October 15, 2005, 08:08:09 PM

Title: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: 1stSgt Fritz King on October 15, 2005, 08:08:09 PM

Hello the fire!
Pards, I've got a little under two years til I retire from the Corps.  I want to get a '66 Winchester as a retirement gift, and have it engraved with the EGA, and my dates of service.  Who makes the best one?  Reliability is the key factor.  I want one in .38 Special or .38.357, if they make one.  Any comments would be appreciated.
R/S
Fritz   

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: Wrangler Rich on October 16, 2005, 09:21:06 AM

Well Pard,

Winchester used to make 'em, but now the only manufacturer is Uberti.  They are imported by many, and some have different markings, wood, finishes, etc.  You can check:  Navy Arms, Cimarron, Taylors, etc., and pick out what you like.


   http://www.navyarms.com/

   http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/

   http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/

   http://www.emf-company.com/
 

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: 1stSgt Fritz King on October 16, 2005, 05:23:47 PM

Thanks pard.  I've been looking at Cimarron, but I wasn't sure.  Anybody else?  Any good (or bad) experiences with a particular one?  Functionality and reliability are key.
R/S
Fritz
 

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: Danny Bear Claw on October 16, 2005, 05:42:50 PM

Mine is a Uberti made, Navy Arms version with 24 inch octagon barrel in 44-40 caliber.  It's real perty!  With Winchester Cowboy loads it does sub 2 inch groups at 50 yards and hits about 3 inches high at that range.

I love my "Yellow Boy"!    8)

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: US Scout on October 16, 2005, 06:19:50 PM

As stated, they are all made by Uberti now. 

I've had several from Cimarron and with exception of a weak loading gate that sometimes breaks, they have all functioned very well.  Had a .38 SRC but sold it off.  Sometimes I wish I hadn't been so hasty. 

The EGA didn't come in until 1875, if that is important to you.  Before that they used basically the same device as shown on the buttons (but with only a half-circle of six-pointed stars instead of the full-circle of five-pointed stars.  You can see what it looks like here: http://www.usmcmuseum.org/store/mchf/aboutmchf.asp

Semper Fi-

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: Four-Eyed Buck on October 16, 2005, 08:00:04 PM

They're mechanically all the same, only difference is cosmetics/markings. Best price price would get my nod as far as which company to get it from............Buck( who thanks you for your service) 8) ;)

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: 1stSgt Fritz King on October 16, 2005, 08:23:36 PM

Thanks for your comments, as well as your compliments.  It's been an honor serving my country.  I'm going to bounce my service dates back 100 years...1887 thru 1907.  So the EGA will be appropriate.
R/S
Fritz

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: Marshal Will Wingam on October 16, 2005, 08:52:08 PM

You should find that the model '73s are extremely reliable. You may want to have an action job done on it so the internals won't sustain any unnecessary wear from working the action. All the springs are way too heavy and the parts take a beating from the excessive pressures in a stock gun. This isn't a problem, just about everyone has them slicked up anyway. They really feel great afterwards, too.

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: 1stSgt Fritz King on October 16, 2005, 09:13:16 PM

I'm somewhat familiar with the "action Job" concept.  I used to work for a gunsmith prior to enlisting.  If I understand correctly, the internal parts are stoned so there are no rough edges.  Do the springs need to be shortened somewhat, or is replacement the only option?
R/S
Fritz

Title: Re: Who makes the best '66?
Post by: pony express on November 22, 2005, 07:05:59 PM

I'm not sure who marketed mine, as I bought it used. The only marking is Uberti.You might rember I had some jams at first using black, but after I adjusted the spring tension on the carrier block(not sure if that's the right name), it's been absolutely 100% reliable. I recently saw them at Dixie for $590, but I think it was only 44/40.