I just got an early Christmas gift. A 1967 Winchester Model 94 Classic. So for all you Winchester guys out there, what makes the Classic different? I see the scrollwork on the receiver; it has the steel butt plate, a gold ammo gate, and has a 20" octagon barrel. How about the internal workings? Any Information would be great. Thanks.
Winchester Model 94 Classic
- Thread starter JKump
- Start date
Internally it's a post 64 mdl 94. They made a pile of them, value
is a little above a standard '94 but not much. I do like the look of
it with the octagonal barrel---might have to look around for one to
go with my similar era Antique Carbine.
That rear sight---if there were any holes drilled/tapped to install
it it could affect any collector value on the gun.
is a little above a standard '94 but not much. I do like the look of
it with the octagonal barrel---might have to look around for one to
go with my similar era Antique Carbine.
That rear sight---if there were any holes drilled/tapped to install
it it could affect any collector value on the gun.
I've got an Antique Carbine, which is described as Winchester's first attempt at putting lipstick on a pig. During the post-64 period, Winchester made a lot of "collectible" rifles in an attempt to draw sales.
My example is a beater rifle, it obviously saw a lot of time in storage and not very good storage. When I found it in the gun-rack, it was rusty and neglected. However, when I checked headspace it was very tight, and after I got all the closet dust out of the bore it was nearly pristine. No cleaning-rod wear at the muzzle and the crown was sharp.
It's a good shooter and a very nice carrying rifle. I don't worry about dinging it up because the outside finish is beat up. However, mine came from the factory with pre-drilled holes in the receiver for a peep sight and sported a saddle ring.
Some of the post-64s are actually very nice using rifles. They don't carry the cachet of a pre-64, but as I'm not a collector I don't really care.
My example is a beater rifle, it obviously saw a lot of time in storage and not very good storage. When I found it in the gun-rack, it was rusty and neglected. However, when I checked headspace it was very tight, and after I got all the closet dust out of the bore it was nearly pristine. No cleaning-rod wear at the muzzle and the crown was sharp.
It's a good shooter and a very nice carrying rifle. I don't worry about dinging it up because the outside finish is beat up. However, mine came from the factory with pre-drilled holes in the receiver for a peep sight and sported a saddle ring.
Some of the post-64s are actually very nice using rifles. They don't carry the cachet of a pre-64, but as I'm not a collector I don't really care.
.
As posted, the 1967-70 Classic is a post-64 M94 with all the changes from previous construction methods & materials - like substituting a stamped sheet metal lifter for the previous solid/machined unit, for one (in 1970, a solid/cast lifter was one of the factory upgrades).
The sintered receiver on the Classic is finished in Black Chrome, so be careful with sharp tools (like screwdrivers) around the sharp edges of holes & receiver - or the chrome will flake off.
I found your 20" bbl'd variation to handle much better then the 26" bbl'd version - but I suppose the longer bbl would be better for target shooting, like silly-wets.
ALL 1964 to Y2K Model 94's were issued with the receiver sight prep (two D/T & plugged holes in the upper rear LH receiver wall) - so all someone did to yours was to remove the 2 plug screws & bolt on the peep sight.
.
As posted, the 1967-70 Classic is a post-64 M94 with all the changes from previous construction methods & materials - like substituting a stamped sheet metal lifter for the previous solid/machined unit, for one (in 1970, a solid/cast lifter was one of the factory upgrades).
The sintered receiver on the Classic is finished in Black Chrome, so be careful with sharp tools (like screwdrivers) around the sharp edges of holes & receiver - or the chrome will flake off.
I found your 20" bbl'd variation to handle much better then the 26" bbl'd version - but I suppose the longer bbl would be better for target shooting, like silly-wets.
ALL 1964 to Y2K Model 94's were issued with the receiver sight prep (two D/T & plugged holes in the upper rear LH receiver wall) - so all someone did to yours was to remove the 2 plug screws & bolt on the peep sight.
.
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The Classics are nice guns. They had good grade wood also (the other one I've seen recently had much fancier wood than the picture shows). Try to buy that grade wood, even as a blank, and it would probably cost more than the gun.
The commemoratives dont get much respect, but they generally have better finish, often better wood, and are made with octagon barrels, which are otherwise unavailable unless in a much older and more expensive gun. Most of the octagon barrels shoot better than the average carbine. I've had a number of both commemoratives and pre-64 carbines, I'd prefer several versions of commemoratives to the average late pre-64 carbine as far as a shooter goes. Swapping out the carriers for a forged one is simple, and didnt cost much when I last did it. Don't know what they cost now.
The commemoratives dont get much respect, but they generally have better finish, often better wood, and are made with octagon barrels, which are otherwise unavailable unless in a much older and more expensive gun. Most of the octagon barrels shoot better than the average carbine. I've had a number of both commemoratives and pre-64 carbines, I'd prefer several versions of commemoratives to the average late pre-64 carbine as far as a shooter goes. Swapping out the carriers for a forged one is simple, and didnt cost much when I last did it. Don't know what they cost now.
Right to bear arms
New member
Nice gun! I traded into a "classic" a few years ago for about $400. Nice gun with great wood, has 26 inch barrel , I believe
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466702
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=466702
3.Shot.Group.
Moderator
I've never owned the classic, but I once had a 94 Winchester 30/30 that I could shoot the cap off of a pop bottle with at 100 yards using the open sights. I wish I still had that one.