Price Check: 1886 Win. Takedown

[Dastook]

I am in Phoenix on business and visited a local gun store. Found a WIN. (Davidson) 1886 45/70. It has a full oct. 26 in barrel, PISTOL GRIP stock. The safety and rebound hammer have been removed. Single piece stainless firing pin and some kind of front ladder site that I am not sure of the make. This gun is NIB. The asking price is $1800.00. Is it worth it?? Oh, I forgot this is a TAKEDOWN as well.

[buckeyeshooter]

I paid $1513.00 with sales tax included for mine. If you think the modifications are worth $300.00 --then it is a good deal.

[Mike D.]

Although I have done it to my guns, I don't believe that this gun can be sold "as new" when it has had these aftermarket mods. Bypassing the safety devices could place the seller and buyer at risk of potential lawsuits. That being said, the modifications alone are easily worth the extra 300 bucks. The parts to do this work cost nearly that much. IF the Winchester trigger, sear and little springs have not been replaced by a Browning one piece trigger/sear and spring you will still have an abysmal trigger pull. The shop will probably have a disclaimer for you to sign that releases them of any and all responsibilities for the modifications done to the gun. The decision is up to you.

[Old Ironsights]

I agree with Mike.

That said, my Davidsons TD listed at $1250.

[Pathfinder09]

I paid $1800.00 for mine NIB.

[Dastook]

Although I have done it to my guns, I don't believe that this gun can be sold "as new" when it has had these aftermarket mods. Bypassing the safety devices could place the seller and buyer at risk of potential lawsuits. That being said, the modifications alone are easily worth the extra 300 bucks. The parts to do this work cost nearly that much. IF the Winchester trigger, sear and little springs have not been replaced by a Browning one piece trigger/sear and spring you will still have an abysmal trigger pull. The shop will probably have a disclaimer for you to sign that releases them of any and all responsibilities for the modifications done to the gun. The decision is up to you.

I think you are correct on this. I took another look at the rifle and they said it was previously owned by someone who works at the store. They still say it has never been fired, but I don't know. I'm going to keep working them down on the price if I can. Thanks for all the info.

[Modoc ED]

I am in Phoenix on business and visited a local gun store. Found a WIN. (Davidson) 1886 45/70. It has a full oct. 26 in barrel, PISTOL GRIP stock. The safety and rebound hammer have been removed. Single piece stainless firing pin and some kind of front ladder site that I am not sure of the make. This gun is NIB. The asking price is $1800.00. Is it worth it?? Oh, I forgot this is a TAKEDOWN as well.

Gotta go with Mike D.

Even if the gun has never been fired, if it has been altered in any manner, it IS NOT "NIB".

Davidsons is a good outfit. Sad to hear they are pushing it off as NIB. They should know better.

[Mike D.]

FYI, CDNN Sports has the 1886 Deluxe TDs in either full oct or 1/2 oct bbls. Your choice $1599. I grabbed a few 1886 ELs from them for $599. a while back. Check out their ads for other nice guns.
www.cdnnsports.com

[1886]

I sold a grade I .45-90 take down like new in the box with all papers, docs., etc several months ago for $1600.00. 1886.

[Naphtali]

I am in Phoenix on business and visited a local gun store. Found a WIN. (Davidson) 1886 45/70. It has a full oct. 26 in barrel, PISTOL GRIP stock. The safety and rebound hammer have been removed. Single piece stainless firing pin and some kind of front ladder site that I am not sure of the make. This gun is NIB. The asking price is $1800.00. Is it worth it?? Oh, I forgot this is a TAKEDOWN as well.

The sensible method to arrive at your conclusion -- rather than piggyback on mine and others -- is to ask yourself: If you buy the rifle at the price you mentioned, can you reasonably expect to sell it within 30 days for the same price?

If you believe you can resell, it's almost certainly an acceptable deal. If it's difficult to resell, either you must "have to have it," or it is more useful for your intended use than anything available to you now.

I tend to agree with other responders that altering the machine is generally not a great idea -- unless you intend to possess the machine for your lifetime. When dubious safety features are circumvented, to revert to the original iteration of the machine, I find little problem with this so long as it is a lifetime possession.