1952 Winchester 1894 .30-30
- Thread starter Andrewsky
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Lucas McCain
New member
That is an excellent price for a 1894.
Couple questions, because I don't think they built any 1894 models in 1952.
Does it say model 1894 on the tang below the hammer?
Is the barrel round or octagon?
What caliber does it show? 30WCF or 30-30?
What butt plate is on it? Crescent or straight metal? The saddle ring had a wrap around on the top.
Is there a metal cap on the front of the forearm?
Are the barrel bands round or square looking?
It could be a model 94 and if it is that still isn't a bad price.
Couple questions, because I don't think they built any 1894 models in 1952.
Does it say model 1894 on the tang below the hammer?
Is the barrel round or octagon?
What caliber does it show? 30WCF or 30-30?
What butt plate is on it? Crescent or straight metal? The saddle ring had a wrap around on the top.
Is there a metal cap on the front of the forearm?
Are the barrel bands round or square looking?
It could be a model 94 and if it is that still isn't a bad price.
More important than what specifically it is, what condition is the action, chamber, rifling, and muzzle in?
What condition is the action in? Is it relatively tight and crisp when cycled or sloppy and floppy? Does it feed and cycle ammo correctly?
What is the trigger like? Crisp and smooth or gritty?
What condition is the hammer action in? Does it cock back smoothly and surely? Does the ½ cock work? Will it hold the hammer back when you engage it and then pull the trigger?
Is the chamber and bore bright and smooth or dark and pitted? Is the crown at the muzzle clean and even or worn from a steel cleaning rod? Take a M2 ball (150grn 30-06 round) and stick the bullet down the muzzle. You should see about ¼" of the bullet showing before the case mouth.
What condition is the action in? Is it relatively tight and crisp when cycled or sloppy and floppy? Does it feed and cycle ammo correctly?
What is the trigger like? Crisp and smooth or gritty?
What condition is the hammer action in? Does it cock back smoothly and surely? Does the ½ cock work? Will it hold the hammer back when you engage it and then pull the trigger?
Is the chamber and bore bright and smooth or dark and pitted? Is the crown at the muzzle clean and even or worn from a steel cleaning rod? Take a M2 ball (150grn 30-06 round) and stick the bullet down the muzzle. You should see about ¼" of the bullet showing before the case mouth.
Just a nit-pick.
There is no such thing as a 1952 Winchester model 1894. About 1927, Winchester changed the designation to Model 94. You are looking at a Winchester Model 94. It says so on the barrel.
$470 seems a bit high, but the market in your area might bear that price.
No, don't shove anything down the muzzle! If you did that in my shop, I would tell you to leave.
There is no such thing as a 1952 Winchester model 1894. About 1927, Winchester changed the designation to Model 94. You are looking at a Winchester Model 94. It says so on the barrel.
$470 seems a bit high, but the market in your area might bear that price.
No, don't shove anything down the muzzle! If you did that in my shop, I would tell you to leave.
There was a time when I'd have thought the price was too high. But good examples of 94's from that era don't show up very often. I'd say the price is on the higher end of acceptable. But if in good shape, I liked it and I couldn't get the seller to come down I'd probably pay the price.
RIDE-RED 350r
New member
In my opinion, $470 is not out of line at all for a post-war pre-64 model 94 if the only issue is worn blueing on the receiver. I've seen people much more proud of their pre-64s than that
the bullet test will not hurt a thing, you do not shove the bullet in with any amont of pressure and as the bullet jacket is copper and much,much more softer than the barrel steel. I use the bullet test on any used firearm I may buy, a m-1 garand I was thinking of buying failed the test as a matter of fact a 8mm bullet entered the muzzle quite a bit. eastbank.
Not sure how long you would remain in business. Its quite common for people to use a muzzle gage on used guns to check for muzzle wear. Esp on the M-94 type rifles that require cleaning from the muzzle end.
The poster mentioned using 30 cal ball ammo to check the muzzle wear. That bullet is softer then the barrel, it thats gonna hurt the rifling, you have other problems, since the same type material would be use for shooting it.
To the OP, $470?? I'd jump on that in a heart beat. But to be honest, I'm a huge fan of old Winchesters.
Lucas McCain
New member
Word of caution; if you do the bullet test on a 32 Winchester special it will go in and stop when the cartridge case hits the muzzle. That will happen on a brand new unfired rifle. It the way they are made, and nothing's wrong or worn just a good 32 Winchester Special.
Pathfinder45
New member
You could politely offer $400.
As a matter of fact, my local gunshop keeps a box of M2 ball ammo around just so people can test the muzzle. I have a dummy M2 ball round (no powder or primer) as I handload them for my Garand.
I take it to the gunshops and ask to use to check the muzzle of a prospective rifle. I've never been refused the request to use it once I show them it's a dummy rd. If I was refused, I'd figure the gunshop was trying to hide something and turn and walk out.