Post 64 Winchester 94 AE pre safety barrel/magazine length ?

C

Cheapshooter

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Looking at a Winchester post 64 model 94 AE pre safety I noticed on this particular rifle the barrel extended what looks like an inch or two past the magazine tube. All others I have seen they are equal in length. It this a model rarity, or the result of repairing a damaged magazine tube?
 
I've seen a few like that. For some reason Winchester made some that way for a year or so. I have no idea why. I spent a few minutes looking around on Google hoping I could fine a photo of one like that with no luck.
 
Yup, that's it! So It's not a modification, or repair. that was my only concern.
From pictures of other 94's of that era it looks like the magazine tube is a bit shorter. Barrel band location in relation to the muzzle looks to be the same. Possibly one round less capacity with that model?

 
Those look sort of odd to us traditionalists. I always figured the barrel could be trimmed even with the mag tube and the sight reset so it would look like the older ones. A long wood fore end would assist in that regard also.

Early type carbine,

IMG_1152.jpg
 
Well, it's not a Trapper. But I THINK I kinda like it -- it looks the serious rifle that uses a lever action vs. just another cowboy gun. That make sense?
 
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All the economy model M94 Ranger's had the slightly shortened magazine tube, non-walnut hardwood stocks, and a bit lower level of metal polishing prior to bluing.

A plus would be that the 94AE's went back to a forged steel receiver ( from the post-64's sintered receivers), and a receiver top D/T'd for scope mounts.

Another plus on that particular version is that it was made after the AE intro in 1983 & the intro of the crossbolt safety in 1993 - so no extra/lawyer safety.



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I don't think that's right -- I've seen them, when I noticed, with full length tubes I'm pretty sure. Why would it be cheaper to use an 18" tube on a 20" gun than a 20" or even 16" Trapper magazine tube?

Nah, somethin' else was afoot like producr differentiation and marketing.

Can someone confirm they do indeed hold one less round (of .30-30 I presume)!?
 
Can someone confirm they do indeed hold one less round (of .30-30 I presume)!?
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No.

The particular rifle in question, pictured in post #4 does hold SIX rounds in the magazine. The barrel measures 20", and the magazine tube ends 1 11/16" short of the muzzle.
 
No matter how much you sugar coat it, it looks goofy IMO. A friend had one and it finally drove us both nuts and he just replaced the mag tube with a proper 20". There was no rhyme or reason to this - just a corporate mess up. Inexplicable from either a marketing or economic view point. They either should've made it a half/button mag or made it even with the barrel end (I realize they were never exactly equal). Since it's a barrel-banded carbine, only the full length tube would make sense.
 
I agree gak, and will some day just replace It with one of the propper length. That is if I can find one. Already checked with Numrich, and they didn't list one for a pre safety angle eject Ranger. I wonder if any full length tube will work?
 
My opinion:

It is a cheap budget rifle. Only a handful were ever made this way, there are literally millions out there with the mag tube going all the way to the end. I'd either live with it as is, or wouldn't buy it if it bothered me that much. It isn't like you cannot find another made the way you want. Throwing money at this is not financially sound. Cheaper to just buy one made like you want.
 
It is a cheap budget rifle. Only a handful were ever made this way,
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A bit of a dichotomy as you explain It. A cheap, budget model on one hands but only a few made like that may make It more interesting overall. It really doesn't bother me all that much when you look at It that way. No post 64 will ever be a "collector", but this one is a bit differant.
Being in excellent condition, with very nice bluing, and decent looking wood for one of the "cheap" ones It might be best to use, and enjoy just the way It is.
Never know when that "special deal" might pop up from nowhere on a pre 64. But considering cheapshooter's safe is not a home for safe queens this one will scratch my itch for a thudy-thudy just fine.:D
Besides, I already violated my #1 rule, and traded a Yugo M48A that I had about a hundred bucks in plus some Turk 8MM that cost maybe fifteen bucks for It.:eek:
 
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