Winchester Model 69 vs Model 69A. A side by side comparison.

I have a 1930s vintage Winchester Model 69 .22 bolt action rifle and also a late production Winchester Model 69A. I do a side by side comparison of all the features of the rifle right down to bolt, safety and trigger design.

[@LeaverAction]

I have the Model 69 and 69 A both in excellent condition. I also have a Winchester Model 52 target rifle. I learned quite a bit from your video that made me appreciate these rifles even more. American 22 rifles from the early 1900's through the 1960ties were made much better than today's rifles, at least in general. There are a still a few old designs being made. The sights were fine with a bead on the front and fine notch on the leaf. Why was this, people of these generations depended on these rifles to bring home small game. A shot in the head saved the meat. I grew up with these rifles and have collected a few more. Accuracy was key, no square pistol sites on these guns. These rifles were patterned after the Model 52 target rifle with double extractors and side button mag release. The trigger has adjustment on the 69 and 69A but is not nearly as good as the Model 52 as you would expect. Double extractors are a good indicator of a fine rifle. Thanks for your video.

[@ranchodeluxe1]

I live in Rapid City, SD. That's where Jack First is. I walk in and buy over the counter. If you need something, I'll be glad to help. Keeping old rimfires going is an admirable endeavor.

[@456eec]

That's great thanks for your offer. You can email me direct by going to eyepalusa.com and finding the Australia / New Zealand distributor. That's me and you will get my email address there. I will look at their website again as there are probably a couple of other things I can use. I am not sure if you are aware of ATF export rules. You can't send any major components (receiver, barrel, bolt, mag, "tactical" scopes) without a permit. Small Jack First type parts can be exported up to US$100 in any single package without a permit. Regards Justin

[@pa_zoa]

I have model 69 22lr still working nicely

[@LeaverAction]

A few more comments after an afternoon of shooting....Cornell Publications puts out many copies of Manuals and Catalogs of Winchesters. I ordered one on The 69A,72, and 75 all similar models. The 69 is a look alike for the 69A but is somewhat lighter and would be called a "sporter" version, somewhat slimmer, lighter barrel, fitted for a sling and tapped for a scope. I will carry both with open sights squirrel hunting this fall. The back sites are perfect in that they let just enough light on each side of the bead front site. They are tack drivers from a good rest. Like the Model 52 the bolt is as smooth as a bank vault door on both. The manual says to turn the trigger adjustment on the 69A out to about 1/8 inch which should be about right. I did this and now the trigger is lighter the way I like it. The 69 does not have a trigger adjustment screw.

[@ronaldpetersen255]

The extra wood around the buttplate on the 69a is proper for the rifle and is called “proud wood”. If you ever have to refinish the stock it gives you some extra wood. Also it’s a dead giveaway that the stock has been refinished if flush. Not quite sure when Winchester started doing that. Thanks for the video!!

[@ronaldpetersen255]

Your model 69 should have proud wood as well, so a good chance it was refinished or it’s a very early model.

[@michaelb7530]

Great comparison. Good old fashioned rifle. Have a 69 I'm doing up, also a 56 which is awesome too. Whats the chances of some Australian content like reviews on Fieldmans/Naughtons, Sportco, Lithgows, Slazengers etc?

[@456eec]

Thanks. You are lucky finding a 56. I have been keeping my eye open for one for a while but no luck. I only really to have access to what I can buy and there is a limit to that. I don't have any Aussie rifles yet except for a Lithgow Smelly. I am trying to buy an Omark M44 at the moment and will definitely put up a video on that if I manage to get it.

[@davidmaccormick1880]

Thanks for this video. I thought I had a 69a but now realise I have a 69. What would one in good condition be worth do you think. Mine has a mag release button.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

I have a 1894 30-30 lever action a marlin xs7 in 308 and a winchester model 69A

[@AirborneSapper82]

Good video. Thanks

[@rustybarrr]

Is the magazine the same in both these rifles. I have a 69A and I want to buy a 10 round magazine. I found one but the ad just says 69.

[@456eec]

Yes same magazine for models 52, 56, 57, 69, 69A.

[@rustybarrr]

@@456eec thank you

[@williamcattr267]

Is there any chance the bolt assembies are interchangeable between the 69 and 69A?

[@456eec]

No the firing pins are completely different and have the sear surface in a different place.

[@williamcattr267]

@@456eec Thanks! Now I just have to find a bold assembly for the model 69. Have found some online, but they are all currently sold out.

[@tonybogea7063]

Onde eu consigo comprar o carregador e o ferrolho completo, sou do brasil

[@JD-bp6pi]

Good day, A friend brought over a model 69 for some help. Not clear how the bolt goes back in. I can pull the trigger and it goes in a ways and then stops. Is there another trick? Many thanks.

[@456eec]

Most likely the bolt may be decocked. Try grabbing the bolt body while out of the rifle and lift the handle. You can tell as when the extractors are horizontal out of the rifle the handle should be at 2 oclock viewed from behind. If it is at 4 oclock then the bolt is decocked and will no go into the rifle.

[@JD-bp6pi]

@@456eec I think i understand. I will take another look

[@JD-bp6pi]

Got it! Thank you very much. it appears that someone in the past and removed and flipped around the block under the bolt (ejector/extractor?) and the bolt was decocked. its in now. The grove in the block was not matching the slot on the underside of the bolt. I wonder how many decades it has been like that.

[@456eec]

@@JD-bp6pi Well done. Some shooters routinely decock their bolt to take the compression off the spring during storage.

[@50eiht]

I have a winchester 69 mag and its patented in november 25 1919 does that have anything to do with when the gun came out? (im not a gun guy)

[@456eec]

No that is just the patent date for the magazine design. It wa originally designed for the Model 52 which was designed in 1918. They were made right up to the early 60s.

[@50eiht]

@@456eec thanks

[@joselinosousaneto5255]

eu preciso de um pente carregador desse modelo aí tem como eu adequeri um

[@Michael-gj6du]

Can anyone provide a value of the 69? Would greatly appreciate it. Good to fair condition

[@456eec]

Depends on the sights it has as original peeps will bring more than open sights. Also if it has it's original Winchester marked magazine. Here in Australia a good 69 with standard sights and magazine would likely bring around A$450-500.

[@Michael-gj6du]

Has the original sight I think. The butt cap is cracked down the middle and missing magazine. Found at a garage sale a couple weeks ago but don’t know much about guns and folks here are telling me it’s worth $100 US or less and I think they are dead wrong. Thanks for the help

[@takotabyard4923]

​@@456eec I'd give you $100 in a heartbeat. If it's pretty clean and a good bore probably closer to $400

[@davidmaccormick1880]

I am selling my 69 on used guns NSW if you are I threshed. Current as of September 2023.