Model 70 Reborn
It seems that the Browning/FN/Winchester rep told me the truth last summer; the Model 70 is on its way back.
First off: yay! I love the Model 70 and I’m glad it’s getting resurrected.
Now then, on to the criticism (hey, it’s what I do):
Redesigned, three-lever trigger. With an adjustment range of 3 to 5 pounds. Not makin’ a whole lot of sense there, guys…
The classic Model 70 trigger was a masterpiece of elegant simplicity and it worked just fine from 1936 to 2006. It’s a great, bulletproof design, one that can easily deliver safe 3-pound pulls. All it takes is proper execution; build it out of the right materials, to the right tolerances, and adjust it properly.
Now, three-lever triggers are usually seen on benchrest rifles. They can deliver amazingly light pulls (measured in ounces, not pounds), but they also have lots of tiny little pieces and don’t always work well in field conditions. So it makes no sense to me to use a three-lever system on a hunting rifle just to produce a 3- to 5-pound pull, when that result can easily be achieved with a simpler, more robust conventional design. Like the one they’re replacing. I dunno, maybe you have to be in marketing to understand.
Speaking of that trigger, anyone else think it looks a little funny?
Kinda stubby, innit? Hopefully they’ll fix that before it goes into mass production.
Another cosmetic goof on the prototypes:
That’s not exactly the proper way to inlet a Super Grade sling swivel stud. Not if you expect people to shell out a grand for one, at least…
… And that brings me to my last gripe. MSRPs start at $999, which is really pushing the limit. If (and it’s a sizeable if) the fit and finish are up to snuff, I could see paying $750 or so. Then again, I could just buy another CZ 550 for $600 and put the rest of the cash towards a scope.
Anyways, that’s my first impression of it. The press release says the guns won’t be out for another nine months, so hopefully the Winchester/FN guys take their time and get it right. If they do, I can see a Super Grade in my future.
(H/T to Kit, who’s almost as full of sunshine and cheer as my charming self)
I don’t think a grand is overpriced – I paid $650 for my Stainless 375 Model 70 almost ten years ago – and that was after bartering with the guy to get it down from it’s $740 price on the tag.
Considering Remington Model 70’s are now about a grand for the most part, CZ Safari Rifles are MSRP’d ar over that..
Lemme put it another way – it’s either a CZ at $650ish, a Winchester at about 900, or a Dakota for $4600.
Not much of a choice.
I do aggree with the stubby trigger assessment – Hopefully if they do decide to go ahead with it – it will be the same interface pattern as the old triggers, so that retrofitting it with an aftermarket unit. I’m not buying the “Three lever design is unreliable” – I’ve got Jewells on a bunch of my rifles, and they’re more or less close to sealed units. Also, I think 3 pounds is still a little high – I prefer anywhere from 20 ounces to about 2 pounds on my guns.
Comment by HTRN — October 25, 2007 @ 9:50 am
[...] diagram also explains the stubby trigger I bitched about earlier; the triggerpiece needs to be balanced with respect to its pivot point. If one end was more massive [...]
Pingback by The Unforgiving Minute » A better look at the new Model 70 trigger… — November 1, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
I have two 2006 mod 70 lw lh in 270 and 300 wsm. both Shoot well, love the trigger however both seem to shed bluing when cleaned with anything other than a dry cotton cloth. Improved finish/not luster/durability maybe the only improvement!!!
Comment by joe gallelli — April 23, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
[...] time ago I picked on the revived Winchester Model 70, based on the company’s early publicity photos. After seeing the guns in person… Meh. [...]
Pingback by The Unforgiving Minute » Notes from the Show Floor — May 22, 2008 @ 12:00 am