Where has this gun been all my life?

J

jambrdly

New member
I just bought my first 30-30 (model 94 made in 1971). I bought it at a gunshow for $250. It has a bit of freckling on the action but everything else is 95% and the bore is cherry.

I have hunted in Africa, the UK, Germany and Japan – I considered myself to be an experienced hunter who was knowledgable about guns. I didn’t know anything about the 1894 or the 30-30 and had never really wanted to.

Now I must say – where has this gun been all my life? Its so light that I could carry it all day and never feel it – and the 2″ groups at 100 yards are all I would ever need here in Missouri. It even makes you feel like a cowboy. Great little gun.

I been sticking to bench shooting the past few years because I am getting on in years (59). But I like this little rifle so much I just may have to go out and shoot a feral pig or two.

And its made in America - says "New Haven CT" right on the barrel.
 
Welcome to the world of classic leveractions. Careful though, its addicting. Bet your next one will be a .22lr or a pistol caliber lever lol.
 
I agree - the Winchester is a surprise to me as well. I picked one up a little over a month ago that was made in 1970. Lightweight, easy on recoil, and has that Western appeal. I started reloading for it as well, and I just flat-out enjoy the thing. I paid $250 used from a local Gander Mountain store. It had some spotting of the finish on the receiver and some spots on the barrel, but I wanted a gun to shoot it, not to hang it on the wall, so that didn't bother me. They had one that had a light coating of rust everywhere that looked horrible for $350 sitting right next to it - easy choice...rust free and save $100.

They didn't have the appeal to me when I was younger - I liked the semi-auto's and such, but now I feel drawn to lever actions. Best of all - the bore is pretty much all you have to clean - the action stays so clean compared to semi-autos.

I went in looking for a 357 mag lever-gun, but all they had was a new 44 mag Rossi for $459. I don't reload for 44 and I know there's no 44 mag brass around easy to find, so I took the 30-30 for $250 - couldn't pass it up. And now, sure enough, I'm eyeing a Henry 22lr at Walmart for $250 as a fun gun for me and perhaps my son one day. At least you can find those - I'm still hunting a 357 lever gun that I can hold before I buy.

mxsailor803 is most definitely correct - it is addicting.
 
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The post-1970's were the best of the top-ejection post-64 Model 94's - just NEVER try to refinish the receivers, only oil the exterior down & love them for what they are.

In 1964, Winchester changed the receivers from soild/forged steel to a sintered steel process that needed to be iron-plated before they were colored in a variety of finishes like "blue", Gold, Silver, Pewter, Brass, and CCH for various models.
Also, the solid/machined lifter was replaced with a stamped sheet metal unit & hollow roll pins substituted for solids throughout.

IN 1970, though, Winchester responded to the multitude of quality gripes by going to a solid/cast lifter, and deleting most of the roll pins - which helped a lot with crappy trigger pulls, etc.

Although YMMV, I find my TE Model 94's most effective with receiver peep sights - for which they're prepped on the LH rear side of the receiver ( 2 small plugged holes).

I've found a bright fiber-optic front bead (like a FireSight or Hi-Viz) especially useful as I age ( I'm over 70).



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The Williams FP peep sight is definitely on my short list to buy for this rifle. I debated the 5D model, but I reload, so audible, easy click adjustments make sense for switching loads.

I eventually want to load some reduced pistol-powder lead loads for it as well.
 
I never thought I would see the day when gun people would not know about the Winchester 94. That is a bit like a car guy who never heard of Ford.

Jim
 
They've been selling them for well over 100 years so there must be something to them. Became popular with horsemen back in the day because it was flat in a saddle scabbard.

A couple years back I figured I should have one.


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Welcome to the world of classic leveractions. Careful though, its addicting. Bet your next one will be a .22lr or a pistol caliber lever lol.
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Don't look at the Henry 22lr unless you're ready to buy. I made that mistake and I am glad I did.
 
If you like the Winchester 94, you'll LOVE the Savage Model 99.
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True, but also don't forget my favorite, the Marlin model 336. If you ever want a levergun with a scope, you need one that ejects the cases to the side, like the 99 or 336. That top eject Winchester won't do unless you use one of those horrid side mounts :eek:
 
James K said:
I never thought I would see the day when gun people would not know about the Winchester 94.
That is a bit like a car guy who never heard of Ford.
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+1 - ROTFLMAO ! ! :p . :p . :p




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Buzzcook, IIRC, that's the first pistol-gripped Winchester Model 1895 I've ever seen, in over 45 years of casual observation - AND it looks to be a Flatside Special Order/Deluxe, too - care to share any particulars ?



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i'd still like to buy a Win 94 30-30, although, I'm partial to the deluxe XTR variant. I own the Winchester 9422 and it's the best money I ever spent.
 
Bought one last year, an 1894 high grade 30-30. Love it, but after running about 50 rounds through it my shoulder let me know it.
 
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