The Winchester Model 88 Carbine: Coolest Sporting Rifle Ever Made?

Disclaimer: No collectible Winchesters were harmed in the making of this video.
The Winchester Model 88 was made from 1955 to 1973 with the carbine being introduced in 1968. A unique feature to the Model 88 lever action is that the entire trigger assembly rotates with the lever. You'll notice in the video that this operation is something that neither of us are used to when cycling the action for the next shot.
This particular Model 88 Carbine in .308 saw much use and maybe some neglect over time as there is evidence of rust pitting under the wood along the barrel and receiver. The previous owner had it professionally bead-blasted to remove the rust and then re-blued. The bead-blasting resulted in a matte blue finish. The wood on this carbine also appears to have been refinished as well.
This carbine has an 18.5 inch barrel and the receiver is factory drilled and tapped for a scope base as well as a receiver sight. The removable box magazine holds four rounds but feeds easier with only a couple rounds in reserve. We function tested and fired the Model 88 Carbine with some US military surplus .308 FMJ ammo from the 1960's.

[@randalbigirvirvin1153]

Man oh man! That's a beautiful rifle!

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Randal. I like it too, but it is not mine and belongs to a friend.

[@texmexshoots]

One of my old buddies had a Model 88 in 243. It was a hoot to shoot! It's an interesting design for a lever action. A great brush gun.

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah I bet. I sure enjoyed shooting that 308 and I bet a lighter recoiling 243 would be even more fun.

[@jeffb5733]

That is a great little carbine rifle. And it's in firing order. It's also nice to see your taking really good care of it.

[@cervus-venator]

It sure would make for a nice backup being in 308 and all. Thanks.

[@grandpabob3286]

Sweet lever gun , looks great

[@cervus-venator]

Cool Bob, the first time I'd ever shot one of these.

[@Nutty.357]

That is very awesome! Love it! 👍

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Nutty!!

[@axemanco.billspirk6862]

My all time favorite rifle I have one in .243 and two .308, a pre 64 and a post 64, love each one of them.. I use the .308 every year

[@cervus-venator]

Very cool Bill. 👍🏼 These are really neat and cool rifles. Sounds like you certainly have a good collection of Model 88's.

[@outdoorssmith5454]

I have an all original m88 from 1956ish, it was my papas first hunting rifle and mine as well, I cherish it like you wouldn’t believe

[@cervus-venator]

I hear you and I agree that you should cherish it. Hold on to for the love and memories. That is a great gun to have.

[@outdoorssmith5454]

@@cervus-venator thank you, yeah the only way it will leave my possession is if I am dead, I’m too attached, it tells a great story, and I do love it alot

[@YellowHammer26]

👍👍 Cool gun, I’ve never seen one of those. Thanks for sharing

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah Lance, a first for me too. Pretty interesting little gun for sure.

[@paulfrevert3662]

Love the music

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Paul, I couldn't decide so I when with Drunken Sailor.

[@bobg.8954]

Sweet rifle Cerv, well taken care of. really enjoyed seeing this one.

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks I like this one too. This carbine came to my friend through an estate deal. He'll be listing it on GB before too long I'm sure.

[@fls360]

She's a beauty for sure! Right up there with the Savage mod 99. Great vid buddy!

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks FLS 👍🏼

[@stevekelley2341]

Can't say I've seen a 308 like that

[@cervus-venator]

It was a first for me too.

[@dalepogue5799]

Very nice 🇺🇸

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Dale 👍

[@Dave_Nichols]

that is pretty cool, also like the choice of music there

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks David Nichols!!! I appreciate it.

[@Threewolfs-]

Have the longer rifle version and also the semiautomatic version, both in 308, both identical except for the actions, won’t give them up for the world. 🤙🏼🤠

[@cervus-venator]

Yes! Hold on to them and very cool that you have the two versions like that. Thanks for sharing!

[@marcthomas2482]

Such cool rifles! I have a local PA KZbin friend whose channel name is WinModel 88 Guns and Outdoors. That is his dedicated deer and bear rifle. He just did a video about a month ago.

[@cervus-venator]

Cool Marc, I need to go check that out. Thanks!

[@frank6029]

Very nice I like it Stay Safe and God Bless 🙏🙏

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Franks and as always much appreciated!!

[@chrislang5659]

Nice!

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks!! Yeah this think is pretty cool.

[@rusticredd6294]

No joke, I read about this make and model in an article several weeks ago. Fine looking Winchester!

[@cervus-venator]

That was an awesome little gun. This one was a carbine style being short. To me it would make a great truck gun to keep handy as a back up.

[@rusticredd6294]

@@cervus-venator I was surprised to learn that Winchester made a hammerless lever gun. It was highly revered in the article and reminded me of the Savage model 99. Do no longer own this 88?

[@cervus-venator]

@@rusticredd6294 No it was an estate gun that my friend had. He got several of them that he needed to sell for the estate. We were just lucky enough to get to shoot a few of them before they were sold. I had the opportunity to buy any of them, but only had the cash for one out of the lot.

[@rusticredd6294]

@@cervus-venator Gotcha. I'm glad you got the chance to shoot one and enjoy it. I like trying out different firearms.

[@charlesmorgan1879]

That is sweet looking ! Almost looks like a Ruger,

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah, it is pretty cool looking for sure. Thanks.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Cervus I’d sure watch it like a hawk now

[@cervus-venator]

Yes Sir!!!

[@carbonspyder235]

Nice and Good luck on those DEER tomorrow 👍🏻

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks 👍 I'm hoping I see one.

[@randlerichardson5826]

How many does that hold??? I’ll see you soon Car building busted dishwasher 😊

[@cervus-venator]

4 in the mag +1 in chamber for 5 total.

[@Halfmilesniper]

What do you do with a drunken sailor? I haven't seen one of these in ages. Very nice.

[@cervus-venator]

You don't give him a Winchester Model 88 that's for sure. Yeah I couldn't decide on the back ground music so I went with that one. Thanks for checking it out.

[@paulfrevert3662]

My friend has this in a 243

[@cervus-venator]

That is a great cartridge to have one in. Just the perfect size.

[@HyksosKhamudi]

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah, 308 lever action. Pretty cool.

[@HyksosKhamudi]

@@cervus-venator yeh never shot a lever action in 308 before but love my 308 thats bolt action :P

[@scottodonahoe9505]

Needs some usage . Looks pretty tight !

[@cervus-venator]

Yeah, a little tight for sure. Thanks for checking it out.

[@scottodonahoe9505]

@@cervus-venator I have a Henry .22 that was like that right out of the box . I'm a lefty and that should tell you a bit ! My 30.30 was the same . Nothing wrong with a virgin rifle !

[@mrpearson8591]

👀👀

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Mr. P for checking it out👍🏼

[@alanbraun1187]

It looks like you have to work on that action, looks a little stiff. I own the exact same rifle, I'v owned it since I was 15 yrs. old, I'm 67 yrs. old now. Mine is smooth as silk it doesn't take much to rotate the action. I don't know if I could ever sell mine, too much emotional attachment. I got my first Deer and first Moose with it. It still functions perfectly. One thing I would suggest to prospective buyers of any M88's, make sure you find a spare clip, because if you ever lose the one that came with the rifle, you're screwed.

[@cervus-venator]

You're correct the action is a little stiff. Thanks for the information because not having another to compare it to we were not sure how it is supposed to operate. I think this is the only mag we have for this gun. Thanks Alan, keep that rifle slick and keep using it.

[@somefuckstolemynick]

My dad just gave me his, he bought in the 60-70s sometime. I got a red dot on it and will be using it for stealth hunting roe deer and moose in the forests of Sweden. Such a sweet rifle.

[@cervus-venator]

@@somefuckstolemynick I'd hold on to that one for sure Fredrik. A very nice gift from you father to use and cherish. I'm sure you'll be able to take a lot of game over the years with it.

[@somefuckstolemynick]

@@cervus-venator that I will do! Regarding the stiff action that _could_ have something to do with the casings. I don’t remember the details but there are some military rounds (at least in Sweden) that have slightly reinforced shells. They work perfectly fine with it but it does make the action a bit harder to work.

[@cervus-venator]

@@somefuckstolemynick Very likely we were using some Lake City (LC) rounds that are military rounds. For just shooting it like that in the video we don't use the hunting rounds as that is too expensive. Thanks!

[@dawsynlarson696]

My great grandpa model 88 that he handed down to my dad is sadly chambered in 284 which is almost impossible to find these days and If you do it’s damn near $100 for a box of 20 and we can’t even handload them. That’s the worst part

[@cervus-venator]

It always kills me when a cartridge fades away. You know I have a H&R Handi-rifle in 444 Marlin. It is about the same as the 284. Rarely see the ammo for sale and when you do it is like that. It's about $100 for 20. It is so hard to get brass too that it makes it difficult to reload much for it.

[@willischambers8417]

This was a super video!!! #1 place to + your subs 'promo sm'!!

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Willis very much appreciated!!