Are the "B" models frowned upon?

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by joe45c

I can see why you do! That's a beauty!

It sure is! Has it ever been fired?

[Gillis2]

Doug,
That is pure gun porn !
Absolutly and totally BEAUTIFUL !!

Gilbert

[w5i2n]

I don't know if this is the same rifle but I saw one like it at the Sacramento GS about 20 years back. I had just sold some things and offered the gentleman 10k and was turned down.

[dbr65]

Oh, yes, I have shot it, and it does very well, especially with Center-X. That artwork is from LeRoy and Connie Barry at Canyon Creek, done about 10years ago. And it has a B trigger that has been massaged to a crisp 1# pull.

Doug

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by dbr65

Oh, yes, I have shot it, and it does very well, especially with Center-X. That artwork is from LeRoy and Connie Barry at Canyon Creek, done about 10years ago. And it has a B trigger that has been massaged to a crisp 1# pull.

Doug

Sweet!

[seedram]

Wow that has to be one of the prettiest guns I’ve ever seen in my life!

[citation]

Originally Posted by carbine

Seems like the B models are the least desirable of the 52's after doing some reading here. I've never pulled the trigger on one, so wondering just how bad they really are. If I see a nice one should I just walk away from it? How do the triggers compare to my "A" speedlock? If the trigger is the same, and that's the only bad point, I think I could live with that not being a competitive shooter.

Thanks in advance - carbine

Where on earth did you read that the B's are undesirable? The pre-war B's are perhaps the very best among the 52's regarding fit and finish. If you're buying solely for accuracy as a shooter...buy something new. It will probably be cheaper and more accurate. A new Chevy Impala will doubtless outperform a 65' Vette but which would you rather have in your driveway?

[seedram]

Yes one of My B’s is a pre war target and that thing will shoot. I have shot many dime size groups at 50 yards with bulk ammo. It really shoots well.

[carbine]

Have you guys noticed much of a difference between pre and post war B's? My pre-war, unmarked A Sporter for sure is a quality piece.

[rapidfire10ring]

Originally Posted by dbr65

Well, I couldn't help it. I like my B -- 1949-vintage.

Doug

Wonderful.....Did you commission this work for yourself?

[citation]

Originally Posted by carbine

Have you guys noticed much of a difference between pre and post war B's? My pre-war, unmarked A Sporter for sure is a quality piece.

I believe the pre-war B's are definitely nicer in terms of fit and finish. Winchester, like all makers, learned to make guns faster and cheaper during the war and continued to employ some of those methods after the war. As far as pure accuracy, I suspect there is no difference but I would not really know on this particular point.

[oldreliable45120]

I shoot 3 position at my indoor club with my B’s only. 1947 HB Marksman stock with Vaver front and Marble Goss rear. 1948 HB with A type stock with Litschert 12x. 1951 Standard barrel marksman stock with Redfield Olympic sights. Sometimes I pull the A out with 82a rear and 17a front.

[dbr65]

Originally Posted by rapidfire10ring

Wonderful.....Did you commission this work for yourself?

Yes, I did. It was a B Heavy Barrel that I bought from a friend after her father passed. He had bought it new in 1949. It was in excellent condition and I had never owned a Winchester 52, so when she offered I jumped on it. I have always much preferred sporters to heavy BR or Position rifles, but I was hesitant to convert it and didn't for some time. After posting inquiries for advice here, several members, whose advice I respected, convinced me it was fine to go ahead with the conversion. (I really didn't need a lot of arm-twisting.)

I had heard about and seen several builds done by Canyon Creek, so contacted LeRoy Barry to discuss what I wanted. I picked an English Walnut blank from his inventory, chose the checkering pattern (including the bolt knob), and a skeleton grip cap and buttplate, the bolt jeweled and the bolt handle re-shaped for better scope clearance, and finally, decided to go with a Lilja CM barrel with a standard Cooper 57M contour, with all the metal work polished and re-blued. So this was a MAJOR overhaul. It took, as I recall, about five or six months to completion, and the final product was worth the wait. This was my first project with Canyon Creek, but not my last. They have done several more since then, though the 52 was the most extensive. LeRoy and Connie Barry are truly artists and perfectionists -- and very easy to work with. I recommend them highly!

Doug

[blackagnes]

I'm sure not frowning on my "B" Sporter!


Tim

[carbine]

I bet not!