What to look for in a pre 64 94?

B

baddarryl

New member
Hi all. There is a 1953 94 in 30-30 available locally. Has been sitting on the rack at the LGS for at least a few months. Not sure how to judge condition, but the stocks are very dark, not much bluing left on the receiver, but still overall clean and rust free. Action is smooth as butter. Everything seems to work.

What to look for in these as I don't want to get taken. It is $400 and I am suspicious as to why it sits there? To me that seems like a reasonable price for any pre 64.
 
I am by no means a Winchester pro but allot of the older ones that were shot regularly the barrels are in very poor condition. I believe due to corrosive powders and or lack of good care and maintenance. I have a family hand me down made in 1907 that the barrel is just wasted its pitted so bad. Kind of crazy but it still shoots pretty dam well.

I wonder if these barrels could be sleeved??

I think there is a section in blue book of gun values on grading Winchesters. Maybe that can help, but the older ones are in a world of there own.
 
Im no expert on Winchesters, but I am an enthusiast... If you're going to use it for hunting etc, obviously check the bore and look for pitting in the obvious places. Just from the brief description you gave, so long as there are no cracks in the stocks and the sights haven't been molested, I would leap on it for $400!

As long as it is mechanically sound, I would have no qualms about the finish. I just recently picked up an 1892 Winnie that has no finish but for the cost of getting the bluing restored (not refinished) I can still turn a profit just because of its mechanical condition and the bore...

If it was made in 53,there shouldnt have been much (if any) corrosive ammo put through it...
 
Make sure it has not been drilled for a scope.
If its a honest gun, $400 is a steal.

Here is my 1955 M94. It is unmodified a honest gun and a really good shooter. Use it as a reference.


M94combonet.jpg


M94midnet.jpg


M94stocknet.jpg

M94proofmarksnet.jpg
 
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If the bore is clean and the rifling is sharp, and the crown of the muzzle is not dinged, it will likely be a good shooter.
 
Pre-64 Winchesters made after W-2 just don't have the collectors status the older guns do. Especially 94's. For one made in the 1950's in the condition you describe sounds it like a good deal. Hard to say without seeing it, but I wouldn't call it a steal with most of the blueing gone, but I'd pay that much if I wanted the gun.
 
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