Winchester M64 - Any experts?

Steinar · 03-03-2010, 07:32 AM

Dear Gentlemen,
I have this old rifle.. (well, OLD is relative in this forum

)
It's a Winchester M64 from 1940. I love it, but the downside for me is it's caliber 219 Zipper. Baically a necked down .25-35win to fire a .22 bullet. Brass for reloading is expencive and a high speed .22 flat nose just doesn't seem right to me.

So what I would like to do, is to make the rifle into a .30-30win. Google does not come up with much info on this particular M64 model, so I turn towards you guys..
-Anyone know if a M94 barrel can be fitted in the M64?
-Does any other parts needs to be replaced
-Are .30-30win barrel easy to find?
-..is this just another of my bad ideas?

Steinar

Ron Smith · 03-03-2010, 08:33 AM

Hi Steinar,

The model 64 is just a later variation of the model 94. A pre '64 model 94 30-30 barrel would fit. Any good gunsmith could change it. The only hurdle would be cutting the magazine ring dovetail. The dovetail is eliptical (rounded on the ends) to lock the magazine tube in place without side to side movement.

It would be best to have the barrel bored and re-chambered to 30-30. It would work fine.

Ron

Steinar · 03-03-2010, 09:44 AM

Thanks for your reply Ron

The model appellation has got me confused about this rifle.. I'll take it from your reply that the M64 would be identical to a M94 pre 64?

I will look into finding a gunsmith here that are able to re-bore and re-chamber it into .30-30win, but I fear that it may be difficult to find one tooled up for the job here in Norway.

policeluger · 03-03-2010, 10:18 AM

Steinar, put the gun down and step back carefully, turn and run the the nearest gun shop and buy a nice lever action in 30 30, it will be cheaper and more depenable in the long run......I love the question about 30 30 barrela are they easy to find ?, not around here.......good luck buddy

Ron Smith · 03-03-2010, 10:26 AM

"I'll take it from your reply that the M64 would be identical to a M94 pre 64?"

Yes, the only difference is that the M 64 has a pistol grip stock and lever. Long tapered barrel and short magazine. The action and all internal parts are the same.

It's not uncommon here to find what is referred to as a '94-'64. Gunsmith's would order the Model 64 barrel, magazine and forearm
from Winchester and assemble them on a Model '94 action. A "Poor Man's" Model '64.

I had one back in the early '90s. The front half was a Model '64 the action and butt stock were from a Model '94. I also had a Model '92 with a Model '43 .218 Bee barrel installed. It was a great rifle, reliable, and fun to shoot.

Another consideration is that if your Model '64 is all original, it has appreciable value as a collector's gun. 219 Zipper is a rare caliber. You could probably trade it for a couple of very minty pre '64 Model '94 30-30s.

Ron

Steinar · 03-03-2010, 10:43 AM

Howard; Jupp.. You are probably right about buying a 30.30 would be cheaper that converting this one. Since I have never stopped playing cowboy, I have ended up with a couple of rifles in 30.30.. I probably don't really need another.. at least not according to my wife

Ron; I didn't know that.. thanks.
I would be happy with a "Poor Man's 94" by replacing the barrel, magazine and forearm with those from a 94..

03-03-2010, 07:32 AM	#1
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Winchester M64 - Any experts? Dear Gentlemen, I have this old rifle.. (well, OLD is relative in this forum ) It's a Winchester M64 from 1940. I love it, but the downside for me is it's caliber 219 Zipper. Baically a necked down .25-35win to fire a .22 bullet. Brass for reloading is expencive and a high speed .22 flat nose just doesn't seem right to me. So what I would like to do, is to make the rifle into a .30-30win. Google does not come up with much info on this particular M64 model, so I turn towards you guys.. -Anyone know if a M94 barrel can be fitted in the M64? -Does any other parts needs to be replaced -Are .30-30win barrel easy to find? -..is this just another of my bad ideas? Steinar __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

03-03-2010, 08:33 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Steinar, The model 64 is just a later variation of the model 94. A pre '64 model 94 30-30 barrel would fit. Any good gunsmith could change it. The only hurdle would be cutting the magazine ring dovetail. The dovetail is eliptical (rounded on the ends) to lock the magazine tube in place without side to side movement. It would be best to have the barrel bored and re-chambered to 30-30. It would work fine. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-03-2010, 09:44 AM	#3
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Thanks for your reply Ron The model appellation has got me confused about this rifle.. I'll take it from your reply that the M64 would be identical to a M94 pre 64? I will look into finding a gunsmith here that are able to re-bore and re-chamber it into .30-30win, but I fear that it may be difficult to find one tooled up for the job here in Norway. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

03-03-2010, 10:26 AM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"I'll take it from your reply that the M64 would be identical to a M94 pre 64?" Yes, the only difference is that the M 64 has a pistol grip stock and lever. Long tapered barrel and short magazine. The action and all internal parts are the same. It's not uncommon here to find what is referred to as a '94-'64. Gunsmith's would order the Model 64 barrel, magazine and forearm from Winchester and assemble them on a Model '94 action. A "Poor Man's" Model '64. I had one back in the early '90s. The front half was a Model '64 the action and butt stock were from a Model '94. I also had a Model '92 with a Model '43 .218 Bee barrel installed. It was a great rifle, reliable, and fun to shoot. Another consideration is that if your Model '64 is all original, it has appreciable value as a collector's gun. 219 Zipper is a rare caliber. You could probably trade it for a couple of very minty pre '64 Model '94 30-30s. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-03-2010, 10:43 AM	#6
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Howard; Jupp.. You are probably right about buying a 30.30 would be cheaper that converting this one. Since I have never stopped playing cowboy, I have ended up with a couple of rifles in 30.30.. I probably don't really need another.. at least not according to my wife Ron; I didn't know that.. thanks. I would be happy with a "Poor Man's 94" by replacing the barrel, magazine and forearm with those from a 94.. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

03-03-2010, 10:18 AM	#4
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Steinar, put the gun down and step back carefully, turn and run the the nearest gun shop and buy a nice lever action in 30 30, it will be cheaper and more depenable in the long run......I love the question about 30 30 barrela are they easy to find ?, not around here.......good luck buddy