takedown rifles

[ehsa]

i am buying a miroku made winchester in 405 and it is a takedown rifle. i have never owned a takedown rifle and from some things i have read it seems some say that they will not stay as accurate as solid frame guns because of the takedown feature even tho the gun can be adjusted to be made tighter. i wanted a takedown model for portability and for easier cleaning from the breach.so can i take it apart and reassemble it when i need to for cleaning or is it better never or rarely to disassemble it to avoid looseness or inaccuracy or perhaps would my zero possibly change .never having owned one i just dont know. any advise is appreciated.thanks john

[BrentD]

Would you consider a Marlin? They clean from the breech, w/o taking them down, very easily, probably easier than taking down a 95 (though I can't say for sure as I have no experience with the latter).

Can't help with the 95 Winchester, except to say that with most take downs, they need to be kept clean, lubed and well adjusted.

[vancelw]

You're not going to get tack-driving accuracy out of an 1895 anyway. And you're not going to mount a scope on it. If you plan on using a scope, you do need to consider another rifle like a BLR or Marlin.

I have a .405 takedown and used to have a .30-'06 takedown (both modern Winchester Limited Editions made by Miroku) Both were at least as accurate as the Browning 1895s I have had and still own that don't takedown.

Buy it and shoot it and have fun.

[ehsa]

i have a marlin guide gun also a browning 71 and an oringinal winchester 71.i am only interested in normal leveraction accuracy nothing special.im just curious about takedown centerfire leveractions.with my eyesight 3 or 4 inches at 50 yards wont be bad.i just wonder if these takedowns can with repeated takedowns and reassemblys remain tight and maintain whatever accuracy they begin with or will the gun become loose and accuracy degraded.thanks john

[Canuck Bob]

My Miroku 92 32-20 does not exhibit wandering zero from breaking down. It is too new to have an opinion on the loosening up issue. It remains tight after a few years. However the machining is very precise and the steel should be top notch. I make sure I am careful while using the TD function. I also use a good grade extreme pressure moly grease on the interrupted threads.

I really like my take down and have asked the same question on this and other forums. I worried about putting a receiver or tang sight on the separate receiver. I got overwhelming good reports on the Winchester system for reliability and poi repeatability. That was from folks reporting on guns made a long time ago. The rifle remains with barrel sights, the receiver sight is going elsewhere.

Skinner makes some interesting TD cases.

http://www.skinnersights.com/scabbards_20.html

[OldWin]

While I don't know about the newer production rifles, I have a 1905 manufactured model 1892 take down in 38-40.
It is the most accurate of the seven 38-40's I own.

I'm sure it's like any other rifle purchase, it's a bit of a roll of the dice. Some just shoot better and have better quality than others.
If you use care and maintain it as you should, using the takedown feature won't loosen the rifle anytime soon.
Most of the horror stories come from old rifles that were abused or poorly maintained. The takedown feature produced by Winchester is adjustable for take-up to keep it tight. I've seen rifles with shims installed between the surfaces, or worse, actually arrogant idiot-punched to tighten them.


What do you suppose those people had to say about take downs?

[crs]

Good information from above with much meaningful experience.

My takedown rifles have never shown any wandering accuracy and I will likely never shoot them enough or take them down often enough to put significant wear on the take down parts. Threse include TDs as follows:
Two Miroku 1895 in .405 Wcf
Miroku 1886 in .45-90
Win M 1903 W .22 rim fire auto
Win M 61 .22
Win M 9422 Mag

Naturally all my shotguns and combo guns are takedowns (think about it) and have been shot a lot without loosening with the exception of the circa 1900 Parker SxS 20 ga and it has been repaired so it funtions like a new gun.

[Sixgun]

While I don't know about the newer production rifles, I have a 1905 manufactured model 1892 take down in 38-40.
It is the most accurate of the seven 38-40's I own
If you use care and maintain it as you should, using the takedown feature won't loosen the rifle anytime soon.
Most of the horror stories come from old rifles that were abused or poorly maintained. The takedown feature produced by Winchester is adjustable for take-up to keep it tight. I've seen rifles with shims installed between the surfaces, or worse, actually arrogant idiot-punched to tighten them.
downs?

Well said by my good friend Jay. I'd like to add that I've owned a couple of dozen takedown Winchesters and Marlins and the real problem comes with the high pressure cartridges, like the 22 Savage hi-power, 250-3000, etc.

The faster the velocity, the more need there is for a solid frame. Cartridges in the 1000-1400 fps range don't know the difference. I have noticed a bit of difference when dealing with full throttle 30-30's, but it's not much......say....instead of 3" groups, you might get 4-5 inch groups. Big deal...it's still minute of deer.

I have one 1895 takedown in 30-06 that will rival a bolt gun with a scope. One 1893 Marlin takedown in 38-55 will beat an average bolt gun with a scope. I use that rifle sometimes in the long range shoots against guys with new Sharps rifles.

Go ahead and get your rifle. Life is short...get what you want-------6

[ehsa]

thank you all for the response to my question.i am really looking forward to my takedown 405 and you have certainally answered my questions and I enjoyed all the responses. hearing real reports from you who own and shoot the takedowns really helps. I have often wanted one and hope to very soon.it hasn't shipped just yet but im looking forward to it.john

[rbertalotto]

It's all about the sights. If they are barrel mounted, there will be little if any shift from POI. If you use a receiver mounted scope, it will depend on how consistant the lock-up is.

I have a dozen take-down, lever action rifles. All are extremely accurate with barrel mounted iron sights.

Two of them have tang sights and POI comes back within an inch or two. Plenty good enough for deer hunting or Cowboy Action Shooting.

If you want to see an amazing bit of engineering for a take-down, check out a Winchester 1897 Shot Gun. All the slop in the taledown area can be adjusted out as the parts wear. Amazing!

[vancelw]

i have a marlin guide gun also a browning 71 and an oringinal winchester 71.i am only interested in normal leveraction accuracy nothing special.im just curious about takedown centerfire leveractions.with my eyesight 3 or 4 inches at 50 yards wont be bad.i just wonder if these takedowns can with repeated takedowns and reassemblys remain tight and maintain whatever accuracy they begin with or will the gun become loose and accuracy degraded.thanks john

Depending on your eyes, 3 or 4 inches at 100 yards should be status quo.
I have/had Williams FP receiver sights on both of mine and they worked as well and any solid frame I have/had.

[Canuck Bob]

I should add I use my TD feature a lot. I carried the rifle as a truck gun in my luggage in the oilpatch here. I got tired of carrying a rifle case around, kinda shouts steal me! Old tired luggage says dirty shorts!!!

This hiding in plain sight for vehicle travel really appealed to me.

Those Skinner cases are a neat design. I use a case of similar design that came with my new Stevens Favorite TD. I'm very happy with it in use.

[Tycer]

John,

There's a couple of us out here in WNC. Fairview and Weaverville. Are you anywhere near?