Useful information on Win model 94

[musicmatty]

When referring to the Winchester model 94, we often hear pre 64 and post 64. Most of this refers to the receivers being forged from steel with the pre 64 models and alloy ‘mystery metals’ for post 64 models.

I just learned something new from this gun digest article. With the introduction of the angle eject models in 1983, Winchester returned to the forged steel receivers all the way till the end of their production in 2006. I guess that explains why the bluing on my 1989 model 94 is still pristine 30 years later.

I have heard more than once that the model 94 from the mid-1990s through the end of its production in 2006 are arguably the best model 94s ever made for various reasons.

https://gundigest.com/more/classic-guns/winchester-94-receivers

 

[Scorch]

Most of this refers to the receivers being forged from steel with the pre 64 models and alloy ‘mystery metals’ for post 64 models.

No. Most of the animus towards the post-'64 Winchester 94s came from the cheap lifter/carrier they put into the action, replacing screws with pins for the link, and the overall poor quality of the machining and finishing. The steel used for the original receivers was not very high quality steel but good enough for black powder cartridges. Winchester famously had to play with the metallurgy once they introduced the 30-30 cartridge. The steel used for the forged receivers of the post-64 Model 94s was supposed to make the receivers quicker and easier to make, but Winchester found out the alloy used could not be blued and had to be iron plated before being blued. Most of the issues with that didn't show up for a few years.

I have heard more than once that the model 94 from the mid-1990s through the end of its production in 2006 are arguably the best model 94s ever made for various reasons.

Again, no. Better than the 1964-1981 guns, maybe. But pick up an example of an early 1900s 1894 rifle, and it is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship. After WW2, the Model 94 became the economy rifle, priced to sell and get the customer loyalty.