doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Winchester 21 realistic average price.

Ed, as a gun dealer you should know that only 30,000 Model 21's were made and they were well made with chopper lump barrels, hence their expense. The market has a way of figuring these sort of things out.

I agree with Ed. I'm not a collector so I don't like paying for collector value. That said, if I was looking for a stout double for decent money, the browning bss would be my pick. You could buy a trio of BSSs for the same money as a 21. Just one mans opinion. Good luck whatever you decide.

Adam

The market is always right, at the time, but sometimes does major reversals in pricing things. I can recall when M12 Winchesters were bringing twice what they are now. Were they overpriced then, or are they underpriced now? What exactly did the market "figure out"?

I agree 21s are overpriced. The only way I will probably ever own one is if I win one off some shooter with my BSS. Pay the same thing for a 21 that I could buy a nice HE Fox for? Ain't gonna happen.

SRH

I

Stan: The man wants a Model 21. And Ed wants an SKB, Adam wants 3 BSS's, you want an Ansley Fox and I want a 16 bore Boss......variety, that's what makes the world go around. ;-)) !

buzz,

I've got no problem with anyone who wants a 21. Just commenting on their worth. Sounds to me like Marks_21 has figured that out for himself already. He said, "Plus it isn't the $300. It's the $3500!"

All my best, Stan

Purchasing a 21 is not just buying another SxS; it is an investment not only in money, but shotgunning history. You don't have to baby a 21 and can shoot any loads you choose. Given proper care, it will outlast you and any BSS or Stevens 311 ever made.(I've had those too)They are not "fence posts" as some claim; 12 gauge 21's are not English game gun weight and were never meant to be. 16 and 20 gauge 21's are excellent upland guns. I've had and handled Parkers, Foxes, & Lefevers that were as heavy or heavier than a 12 gauge 21 and didn't handle as well.Given the fact around 30,000 total were produced in all gauges and grades from 1931 to the 1980's means they will always be of interest to collectors and shooters and will not lose value if taken care of. One well-known purveyor and advocate of English doubles routinely takes a 21 to Africa for bird shooting safaris. I warn you though....owning and shooting 21's is like eating potato chips; it's hard to stop with just one as evidenced by the photo. Good luck.

How heavy a "vig", Paisan???

You either like 21's or not, the man did not ask for our opinion of the merits of 21's verses any other guns. His question was what is a decent or normal price to pay for a 21 like he found. I have three 21's and am no expert but 3500 is not out of line for what he is describing. Most have asking prices much higher and they will be for sale for a long time at their inflated prices.

If one is found for 3000 then buy it as fast as you can but 3500 for one is about what I would expect to pay. They just command more bucks than people expect. A high condition one or one in a small gauge will bring way more than that. Because there are so many upgrades out there I would refrain from buying any higher grades.

Just like all pre 64 Winchester and most Browning superposed command a premium the 21's have a big following of collectors and those who just want one as a shooter. That is a lot of demand by buyers.

Thanks guys. Generally affirms what I figured. I am content with the decision. I'll shoot one sooner or later, but I won't keep it, and I won't loose sleep if I'm shooting something else in the meantime. I neither love the 21 or hate them just feel like I oughta have tried one. Like women and bird dogs you have your own taste in guns and no one else will feel exactly the same about any of them. Truth of the matter is I keep a clean Stevens 5100 amongst the rest of the fine guns because it's stories are just as good as theirs are. They've all been somewhere and done something and that's the best part for me.

I'm pretty sure you mean "dove tail lump" if you are talking about WInchester model 21s.
Something to keep in mind is the 4140 steel used in a model 21 was more difficult to solder than other gun steels. This, combined with a problem designed into the fore end hanger on earlier guns caused them to shed ribs somewhat regularly. There exists documentation of Olin being made aware of the problem by a customer.
I'm convinced the problem was identified and corrected by Winchester, but, I'm not sure when. If I was in the market for a 21 (I'm not) I'd spend more time trying to pin down hard information about that issue.
If Klunk was still around we would all get to see the special treat that was his opinion of a model 21.
And, the pissing match that would follow.

Best,
Ted