winchester model 100 .308 - hi cap?

[thomis]

I recently handled a Winchester Model 100 in .308 Winchester at a local pawn shop. This rifle really liked me. I'd never seen one and didn't even know Winchester ever made a autoloading centerfire rifle. But that shows what I know, and I am no expert nor collector..

It came with two four round magazines. I was wondering if there is a higher capacity magazine available for this make and model? And how well the rifle could handle rapid fire .308 rounds. I'm pretty sure it wasn't designed for that type of thing. It was pretty much just a hunting rifle, but it got my attention.

 

[Captcurt]

Hard to Come By.

I doubt if you would want to shell out the money for even a 4 round mag. I think that my afermarket ran $45 and a Winchester original runs around $75. Be glad that you already have two.

 

[Slamfire]

That rifle was discontinued well before the current hi cap craze.

Be aware that you need to use insensitive primers in this mechanism. My Gun Club President had doubling in his, and others have reported similiar experiences. Use CCI#34's or TULA 7.62 as these are sold as "mil spec" primers.

This might be of interest, has a section on magazines.

http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/winchesterl_88_100.htm

 

[Red Cent]

Notice the 10 round magazine. Bought a couple a loooooooonnng time ago. It says on the bottom of the mag " Made in the USA by D&E". I have four of the factory mags and I wish I had bought a couple more ten rounders.

 

[Red Cent]

When I benchrest the M100 for group, it will double on me. I load one round at a time. It is not the primers, it is a bump fire resulting from a good follow through on a good trigger squeeze.
I reload for the M100. Both jacketed and some lead for practice and I use Federal primers. Never had a problem shooting at deer. It handles rapid fire very well. I can't remember the rifle not firing or ejecting properly and I have had it for over forty years. WV brush gun. Notice the flip over scope?

 

[CraigC]

It's for killing critters, not countersniper activity or clearing rooms.

 

[mshootnit]

you have a good enough trigger to actually trip on a bump fire? My 100 was so stiff no way would a lingering finger set it off.
But I was happy when it would go bang which was not always.
Better check and get the firing pin recall taken care of if not already (just a safety message)

 

[Dr. Ralph]

I recently purchased a Winchester model 100 in .308 and it would only function as a single shot. I purchased it from Gunbroker so I did not see it until it came to my local gun shop. It looked like it had never been cleaned and it was manufactured in 1963. After a very thorough cleaning it would shoot a few shots but never empty the magazine, so I bought a new Winchester magazine and it has functioned flawlessly. It is a beautiful rifle and is very accurate. http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii61/DR_RALPH/DSC06347_zps91ff6d5f.jpg

 

[Dr T]

BTW, the Model 100 had a lever action stable mate: The Model 88. I recently persuaded an old friend in his 80's to part with his Model 88 (and an un-updated Ruger Bearcat).

His daughter (in her early 60's) made me promise her I would take her out to shoot "Dad's gun" as part of the deal.

Back to the point: The two guns share a number of characteristics, including the magazines. I also have two magazines--One is marked as a Model 100.

It is a handy little hunting gun.

One thing you will note is the steel butt plate. It not only came before high capacity mags: It was also before a recoil pad was considered a necessary feature.

 

[Kp321]

Be aware that Winchester issued a firing pin recall on the M-100 several years ago that they are still honoring. If you can turn the firing pin in the bolt after field stripping the rifle, the firing pin has not been changed and it can cause a slam fire if the pin breaks. If it is still the old style pin, send the firing pin and rifle serial number to:
Winchester Firing Pin Recall Notice
PO Box 10
Cottage Hills, IL 62018
They will send a new pin and a check for $30 to cover installation.

 

[stiab]

When I benchrest the M100 for group, it will double on me.

That was one of the reasons the gun was recalled in 1990, i.e. multiple fires with one pull of the trigger. Would be best to call the 800# and see if your gun has been retro fitted with the new firing pin. If not, they will provide the new pin and a check for $30 to partially offset the cost of installation. The number to call is available by Google, and they can tell you very quickly.

The other potential problem from the broken firing pin is the chambered round firing before the bolt is completely closed, which can cause the rifle to literally blow into two halves. It all depends on how far forward the pin protrudes after it breaks.

No Model 100 should be fired without first knowing if the original firing pin has been replaced.

Edited to add: There are after market high cap mags available on ebay and other places that are the same vintage as the gun, I think they usually go for $100 or more.

Also, the 100 will actually be a little lighter than it's sister the 88, which has more steel parts.

 

[Dr T]

And, No chance of a slamfire in an 88

 

[SwampWolf]

I killed my first deer with a Model 100, chambered in .308 Winchester, back in the fall of 1964, in Oscoda, Michigan. Great rifle that could benefit from a little better trigger. And, as Kp321 advised, be sure the firing pin problem has been rectified by the factory before using the rifle.