Gday From Australia
Long time I since I have been on any forums but I recently got my hands on a little gem that I am quite proud of.
Its a Winchester 320 which was made some where between 1970 and 1974 as these were made only in these years.
The history on these rifles is a little vague as they were never a very big deal when they were new.
I will recite what I have learned about these rifles and would appreciate any correction or better info.
The barrel of these rifles is stamped Winchester and new haven USA.
Although on the receiver just below center line hidden by the stock it is stamped Made by Omark Australia. These were made in South Australia.
From what I know us Aussies made the barreled action and they were shipped to new haven to have stocks ,triggers ect ect fitted and sold under the Winchester name.
30,000 of them were made before Mr Jack Warne (Omark Australia) packed up and moved to the USA after some hassles getting paid by Winchester at the time.
Once in the USA he opened Kimber Rifles (named after the Australian town) and made and sold this action under the name of the 82a ??
I was lucky to get a job working as a gunsmith after a interstate move a coupe of years back and I developed a taste for these little 22's for some reason.
After a home sick wife I returned to my home state and left my role as gunsmith behind.
After a few months home I decided I wanted a 320 and I started the search online and in any gunshop I came across in my travels.
After many failed attempts I stumbled across a ad on Facebook with a bloke looking for a extra magazine for the 320.
I asked him if I could buy his rifle and he agreed as he two.
One he inherited and one he purchased out of impulse and did not use.
After some discussion on his location and receiving some pics I discovered it was a rifle I blued and restored and sold to him out of the shop.
As soon as I saw the ugly steel rings fitted I knew it was a rifle I restored and obviously had to have it. (ugly rings have since been replaced with sportsmatch)
He was kind and sold it to me for less than what he paid. The sum of $275 AUD
The rifle was Fate.
Since getting it home I have given it a freshen up.
Trigger job was the first order and it now is a crisp 2lb ( give or take )with basically no over travel as these rifles had over travel adjustment (in fact its the rifles only trigger adjustment )
Next was glass bedding , I had never bedded a single action screw rifle before, it was a 2 step process as I had to avoid gluing in the action.
A little time consuming but worked well. The barrel now floats from the action screw forward.
I refinished the stock with Tru Oil and Jewelled the bolt for a bit of bling.
Cheap project but a rifle I love and proud to have in the safe.
Anyway I wont bore you with my history and life stories anymore.
I trust you took notes for the quiz that will follow later
Here are some pics of what she is for your and my enjoyment
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JH
Long time I since I have been on any forums but I recently got my hands on a little gem that I am quite proud of.
Its a Winchester 320 which was made some where between 1970 and 1974 as these were made only in these years.
The history on these rifles is a little vague as they were never a very big deal when they were new.
I will recite what I have learned about these rifles and would appreciate any correction or better info.
The barrel of these rifles is stamped Winchester and new haven USA.
Although on the receiver just below center line hidden by the stock it is stamped Made by Omark Australia. These were made in South Australia.
From what I know us Aussies made the barreled action and they were shipped to new haven to have stocks ,triggers ect ect fitted and sold under the Winchester name.
30,000 of them were made before Mr Jack Warne (Omark Australia) packed up and moved to the USA after some hassles getting paid by Winchester at the time.
Once in the USA he opened Kimber Rifles (named after the Australian town) and made and sold this action under the name of the 82a ??
I was lucky to get a job working as a gunsmith after a interstate move a coupe of years back and I developed a taste for these little 22's for some reason.
After a home sick wife I returned to my home state and left my role as gunsmith behind.
After a few months home I decided I wanted a 320 and I started the search online and in any gunshop I came across in my travels.
After many failed attempts I stumbled across a ad on Facebook with a bloke looking for a extra magazine for the 320.
I asked him if I could buy his rifle and he agreed as he two.
One he inherited and one he purchased out of impulse and did not use.
After some discussion on his location and receiving some pics I discovered it was a rifle I blued and restored and sold to him out of the shop.
As soon as I saw the ugly steel rings fitted I knew it was a rifle I restored and obviously had to have it. (ugly rings have since been replaced with sportsmatch)
He was kind and sold it to me for less than what he paid. The sum of $275 AUD
The rifle was Fate.
Since getting it home I have given it a freshen up.
Trigger job was the first order and it now is a crisp 2lb ( give or take )with basically no over travel as these rifles had over travel adjustment (in fact its the rifles only trigger adjustment )
Next was glass bedding , I had never bedded a single action screw rifle before, it was a 2 step process as I had to avoid gluing in the action.
A little time consuming but worked well. The barrel now floats from the action screw forward.
I refinished the stock with Tru Oil and Jewelled the bolt for a bit of bling.
Cheap project but a rifle I love and proud to have in the safe.
Anyway I wont bore you with my history and life stories anymore.
I trust you took notes for the quiz that will follow later
Here are some pics of what she is for your and my enjoyment
JH
