Help with Winchester model 94. Is it a deal ?

T

the other guy

Inactive
Aloha
I have the opportunity to buy a Winchester Model 94 in .44 magnum at a shop in town for $675 asking, guy would prolly take $600
I dont know enough about this gun to know if its a deal.
I know they don't make em anymore and that various changes were made throughout the years that effect the price.
Is there a collector angle or should i cut him down and buy it to just shoot a Winchester
so im coming to you all for some info on the gun, year of manufacture, what its worth in its current condition and such.
Info i have for you is below.
- Model - Winchester 94
- Serial Number - 3428024M
- Caliber - .44 Magnum
- Barrel Length - i didn't measure it but it look's like a 20" which im assuming was a standard length.
- Condition -
There was surface rust on the manual parts and other spots on the gun which has since been wiped off. bluing suffered a little bit on barrel and manual parts but no visible pitting, numerous small scratches on either side of the receiver and a few on the barrel.
looks like it had sling studs installed then removed and the holes plugged badly....
i see a small encircled "RW" on the top of the barrel where it connects to the receiver which from what iv read means that the barrel was replaced with a Winchester replacement but not in the factory? Not actually sure if that's true or not
Another concern i had was a slight difference in the bluing between the rest of the gun and trigger along with the obvious mars on the screw heads on the receiver and barrel bands meaning this gun was definitely taken apart and possibly has replacement parts.
Any help info or advice would be greatly appreciated!
i have some pictures i took with my phone below.
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The 94 action was never meant for pistol calibers and are often less reliable than those chambered in 30-30. But they are far less common and generally bring a good bit more than a 30-30. In that condition and caliber I'd have a hard time paying that much, but wouldn't be surprised to learn it is worth the price. Some used guns have gotten crazy lately price wise.

I've seen more common 30-30's in similar condition go for well over $300 so I don't think $250-$275 is realistic. Although that is about all it would be worth to ME. Doesn't mean it's true value isn't a lot more.
 
I have seen them go for that NIB. That one is not a deal. IMO 500 would be top dollar for it. I wouldn't go that much if I were looking for one. jmr40 is correct. The 94 was designed for rifle cartridges and many do not handle pistol calibers well.
 
Not me. I would not go over $300 for it and that is really pushing it.

My last 30/30 94 was only about $400 and it was near NIB condition for a pre-64 1951 model.
 
Not for me at that price in that condition.

YMMV of course, but there are too many wonderful lever actions out there awaiting a new home for less money or in better condition.

Now if I could find a Win 92 Trapper in .44 mag...(.44-40 sure...) I might bend a little on condition or price, since I kinda like the 16" barrel length for some strange reason.
 
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Welcome to TFL !

@ $600, deal or no deal ? -no deal !

I'm with the others - the condition of the stocks & action are an issue, with what looks like some sloppy/amateur work by some folks that didn't know what they were about.

At the least, it looks like a botched job of sling swivel stud installation(s):

The forward sling should have been located on the magazine tube, ILO the thin forend wood (as can be seen, where the rifle most likely took a tumble when the stud/screw was torn out of the thin wood there) - then removed from the wood & the torn hole patched with plastic wood.

The rear sling stud hole was drilled off-center to the stock's bottom line, also clumsily patched.

Work like that, while properly repairable with a little time/effort, makes me think I wouldn't buy it w/o a close, knowledgeable, inspection of the insides.

The scored receiver finish, around some of the action screws, definitely mean some bubba has been into the action, for whatever reason.

"If" you know how to inspect the insides (& have the ability to fix whatever), and "if" you also know how to fix the wood, and "if" you can get a drastic price reduction (to, say - $350) - then it could be a half-way decent buy for a .44 Magnum.

Even @ $350, if you have to farm out the repair work (to obtain a rifle worthy of "pride of ownership"), your out-of-pocket will rise to the original asking price. (too high)


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After all it is a somewhat early 71-72 Post 64 Winchester and not an angle eject model. Normally it would command a reasonable higher price. But sorry to say this rifle as I see it is not in pristine condition for its asking price. If I came across this 94 I would pass on it myself. Or have to get it at a exceptional low price. {shame its owner didn't take better care of it.} If you seriously want this rifle. 225- 250 because of its troubled areas is fair. If the owner wants more that's up to you. But I would simply walk away from the deal altogether at that point. There are allot of these post 1964 rifles around. Just have to be there at the right time to buy 'em is all.
 
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From the OP's greeting (aloha), I suspect that the subject rifle might be in Hawaii, where they're likely precious few & far between - something a buyer certainly must take into consideration when considering what seems to be a high price.




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Thanks for the Warm welcome and all the responses guys.
So its a pretty unanimous "No Deal"
PetahW nailed it, and it played a big part in considering this gun.
Out here in Hawaii guns like this are very few and far between,This is the first Winchester levergun iv ever seen for sale locally.
Which is the only reason i would consider paying so much for a fixer upper and why i came to all you guys for advice.
But it sounds like i just gotta stay vigilant on Gun Broker and keep my ear to ground around here.
 
patriot 52

Have 30-30 and 44 version. This one is pretty beat up, appearance isn't everything and sometimes the wear can enhance value but not in this case. Can you fire it first somewhere or have him take it to someone reputable to test fire and report to you?
$200-275 tops.
 
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