Pre-64 Winchester model 94

T

Tom68

New member
I finally got a break, or at least I hope I did: found this model 94 in the used gun rack for $500. Serial #1437xxx which puts it in the 1943-48 range, and it's chambered in .32 Winchester Special. From what I've seen, a non 30/30 pre-64 can't be found for less than $1000.... So naturally I wanted to know more. Apparently, the store got this from a widow that was simply wanting to get it out of the house, and the store felt the near obsolete caliber would make it a slow mover so they priced it low. Hope that is true.

Anyway, I love it. It looks in great shape for its age...bore looked good as far as my naked eye could tell.... And the walnut has a great figure that the pictures simply don't do justice. Ordered some ammo online (ammoseek.com had exactly two hits for .32 WS) and a set of dies. It won't be shot a whole lot, but I will at least have some brass on hand.

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So, I'm pleased for the moment. I really do need a better camera for posting pics, though...
 
When you compare yours to others, you can immediately see it has the long front stock style indicative of the 40's. Compare to other vintages and you can see how unique yours is.

Very nice!
 
Your a lucky man to come by such a nice 32. My Congratulations on your fine. From my experience. That 32 Special is a bit finicky on its preferred powder. But no matter being a home reloader I'm sure you will develop a good working recipe.
 
First off, there weren't a lot of model 94's built in 1943-45. After the war they started building them again.
Congratulations on a fine looking gun at a low price. You won't loose any money on that purchase. The 32 Spec. makes it all the more special, most 94's in that era were 30WCF.
I got my first deer rifle, a 94/32 spec in 1960. My dad said I had to get a 32 because he had a 30WCF and he didn't want me to shoot up his ammo. I reload for it using IMR 3031 and 170 gr. Rem corelokts. My grandsons are using it now as they are starting to hunt deer. The 94 is a great rifle.
I have one more question. The band at the end of the barrel is it square or rounded?
 
The barrel band is square. Quite different from my 1971 model 94. I had never noted a difference before, but my LGS actually pointed that out when I got it. And Peter, the long stock was the first difference I noted between this and the 71 model... And then the differences in the loading gate and some of the screws on the receiver. My 71 is in better shape than a lot others out there, so the differences in the finish of the receiver weren't as pronounced as some might expect.
 
These rifles are cast bullet extraordinary shooters I have a 1956 Win 94 32 Special, bothered slugging the bore and having 2 custom bullet molds made for it. A 160 gr. gas checked LFP and a 190 gr. LFP and shoot one hole groups @50 yds with barrel sights. 10 grs. of Unique is very pleasant and accurate.Mine is in similar condition and a great trigger nice wood and bluing what's not to like ?
30-30 brass woks fine if push comes to shove,Bullet selection for the lever rifle is not good with the exception of the Hornady Levervolution are excellent in the 32 Special and can be found fairly reasonable.Laser Cast and Missouri Bullet have decent cast bullets.
 
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Wow, you scored. My father in law uses that exact same rifle as his lever gun. Its a good shooter and I have personally seen him take a deer out in the head at 80 yards with his 32. Good caliber but hard to find ammo for. He reloads his own but I wanted to get him a box for Christmas to give home some more brass. No one had it in stock and was back ordered everywhere.
 
They are commonly called "flat bands" and only made in that era, due to insufficient machinery for civilian arms cause Winchester to use these "flat bands". According to Madis in "The Winchester Book", these are only from somewhere in the 1,400,00 to near 1.460,000. They generally command a premium. In addition, the 32 Winchester Special is preferred by many deer hunters. And frankly, you stole that rifle in that condition at $500. Congrats... I've bought many mdl 94s for less, some even in better shape, but none in more than a decade.
 
Nice Find.

I'd say you got a good deal. I've seen several of that vintage near Portland for under $400.00; but not in that nice of condition. Around here the 32 Specials go for a little less than the 30WCF versions do, all else being equal. I think yours looks like between $650 to $850 for this neck of the woods. Does it have the checkered hammer or the later serrated hammer? If it were mine, I would reload for it and shoot the heck out of it. With reasonable care it will never wear out, especially with moderate loads and cast bullets. Factory ammo, when it can be found, costs a lot more then 30-30 ammo; but if you reload, it's all the same. Congratulations on a great find.
 
Took it to the range yesterday for an initial evaluation. Did most shooting at 50 yards, with the best three-shot group being just under an inch and about 4" above POA. Figured that might equate to something like dead on at 100 yards... That prove to be untrue. Still about 3" high @ 100, and the rear sight is on the lowest setting. I'd have to remove the ramp to get it any lower... Hate to do that as it increases the likelihood of it being misplaced.

It did shoot well though, in spite of a rather heavy trigger, but it certainly does kick harder than the 30/30, which sort of surprised me since they are both shooting 170 grain jacketed RN bullets. (I shot both yesterday for comparison, plus trying some cast loads in the 30/30...got some questions about that too, but that's another thread). This gun won't get shot a bunch, and definitely will be a fair-weather hunter/shooter, but I'm pleased to have it.
 
Tip: If you have to remove the rear sight elevator. Carve a little profile spot out for it under the rifles butt plate. Than it stays with the rifle and is reasonably accessible when needed. Doesn't reduce the guns value, But is the safest place to keep in the long run. As far as shooting high. That's not unusual for a 32. Long lazy twist it has 1-16. If you have off the shelf bullet molds you'll no doubt spend some time in load development. It is a bit finicky about its powder preference. At least mine are. FWIW: If your into paper or pigeon killers. Reduced accurate loads are easy to figure out. But a big game hunting load is just the opposite. If you already reload for a 30-30 in 170 gr. try the same powder & charge in your 32. You might just get lucky.
 
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If there's a different front sight type that you might like better than what's on the rifle, beit an Ivory, Gold or Fiber-Optic bead - It's easy enough to buy one that's about 1/10" higher than the current front sight ($10 or so) & switch it out.

That should allow you to zero the rifle @ 100yds with the rear sight in it's middle (up/down) position.



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Petah, thanks for the advice. I admittedly fixated on the rear sight and never considered the front sight... Although I'd want to keep everything together to keep it real.
 
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Real world range report:
ca. 1947 Winchester 94: 1
feral hog: zero.

50 yard shot, DRT. Great to draw blood on first outing with a great rifle with this kind if history!
 
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Tom: You could always drill out a 3/4" wide hole in the end of the buttstock, under the BP, and store the original front sight there (properly wrapped/padded, of course).

Why I ALWAYS remove & check under the BP of EVERY used rifle I buy.

Besides nothing, I've found bill-of-sale's, hunting license's, dried blood (military rifles), and even rolled up money under there - you just never know.


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Help me ID my 94

So I inherited a pre '64 Model 94 from my grandfather sometime back. I decided to start restoring it to field functionality but it turns out that finding parts for mine specifically are turning out to be quite the chore.

What I know is that the SN is 85x,xxx dating it around 1919. What I would like to know is what variant I have and the best place to find replacement parts (specifically the magazine spring, follower, cap, and stocks).

The barrel is just shy of 17"
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