Possible one-heck-of-a deal...

[theriflespeaks1863]

Hey all,

So, a friend that I work with is looking to sell a shotgun that his grandfather left behind that, though he appreciates its sentimental quality, is not of interest to him because he does not shoot or have any use for guns in general.

The gun in question is a 1949 manufactured Winchester Mdl. 24, in 12 gauge with 2 3/4" chambers. He wants @ $500 dollars for it- I have personally inspected the gun, and it works perfectly and was well-maintained in the mechanical sense. The bores are a little dirty at the muzzle, but otherwise clean and bright. The blued finish, on the other hand, has acquired some patina/light surface rust from being stored in an uncontrolled environment at grandpa's home in NJ, but it does not affect the function of the gun in the slightest. The wood is in good condition. On the whole, the gun is in the Used but not abused/well-cared for category.

I think I can work him down to $450. Are either of these price points acceptable for the gun as described? He is open to the possibility of me buying this gun on payments, and I want to give a nice shotgun a good home. Should I jump on it?

-Chris

 

[Delford]

Check prices online and you'll find you are getting a fair price.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Delford- I did a little looking online prior to posting this, and what you say is true; it seems to be a good price! I just wanted to check in with you all before I committed to it, just in case I missed anything.

-Chris

 

[Virginian]

I hate to rain on the parade, but the Winchester 24 wasn't a freckle on the Model 21's hindparts. In recent years a lot of them have been showing up and the uninitiated have been saying "Winchester" in hushed tones. It is a comparable gun to a Stevens 311/Fox B or AYA Matador. And that is all it is. They usually do work. IMO they handle worse than the Stevens due to poorer stock dimensions.

 

[natman]

I hate to rain on the parade, but the Winchester 24 wasn't a freckle on the Model 21's hindparts. In recent years a lot of them have been showing up and the uninitiated have been saying "Winchester" in hushed tones.

I agree as far as it goes. A 24 isn't nearly as nice as a 21. It's not as nice as a Purdey or a Perazzi either, but I don't think it's likely you will find any of those for $450.

 

[Sav .250]

Sounds to me like you want it. Negotiate. Maybe save a few bucks.

 

[whughett]

Any gun deal is a good deal when both parties walk away happy.

 

[bluekouki86]

The model 24 certainly is no model 21, but look at the price difference. You'll be happy with the gun at thatprice.

 

[Gordon]

The 24 12ga has a girth like not much else-too wide IMHO. I think they are strong actions and a step up from Savage /Stevens 311 types ; nothing fancy but good steel firmly screwed together . Nothing like a model 21 for sure. The 16ga and 20 gauge are getting much sweeter guns as they are trimmer all around. I have a 16 and a 20 and they are decent guns, not up to a Browning BSS in finish or sophistication but about as good as the later Ithaca "long Range guns" made in 40s-50s.
The rain on your parade part is $500 is steep for a less than 85% sample in 12 gauge.

 

[EMT40SW]

Do your friend a favor & take him to the range to shoot some skeets with that gun. If he is resistant to go say you need to test the gun. This maybe his last chance to connect with his Grandfather. I have a shotgun my Grandpa gave to me out of his personal collection & I think of him everytime I shoot it even though he passed 10 years ago. Also get him some Rust Inhibiting Grease to protect that finish.

 

[SwampWolf]

I agree with Gordon. I've always dubbed the Model 24 Winchester as being a "high-end" Savage/Stevens Model 311 and their ilk-and not very much more. Still, imo, $450.00 sounds like a pretty fair (if not good, condition dependent) price.