[Buckskinner]

The sentimental pride of the safe is gramps'old Win '94 with octagonal barrel, and big buckhorn sight. My gramps used to ride the range in the twenties and thirties with this rifle (the serial number is 401xxx), and taught my pop how to hunt and shoot with it. I was next in line, and when the inevitable but tragic day came that gramps' stick floated south, I inherited the ol' gal.

Now I've had this rifle close to me for almost 20 years, and have taken a renewed interest in fixin' her up a bit. The 26" barrel with the buckhorn rear sight always lands the bullets in a 3" group offhand at 100yds. I don't need this to be precision, but its missing the little notched doodad that raises the sight.

What do y'all think about adding a Lyman tang sight? Any experience out there?

Also, there are two threaded holeson the left side of the receiver. Anybody know what these are for? They are about 1/2" down form the top of the rec., and parallel to same, about 2 1/2" apart.

I'm not terribly worried about keeping this thing in "collector"state, as fr one thing, the magazine tube was dented when it got dropped of a horse, and then cut down.

Just meandering thoughts here. Anybody with '94 feedback?

[Old Fuff]

Your Gramps' model 94 was made in 1907. You didn't mention if it was a .30 WCF (30-30) or .32 Win. Anyway, given the gun's age and condition 3" @ 100 yds. isn't too bad. I suspect the tang behind the hammer may be drilled and taped for a tang sight, and the two holes you mentioned on the left side of the receiver may also be for a Lyman or Redfield receiver sight, but these would have been added some years after the rifle was manufactured. If you identify what particular rear sight is on the rifle now (Winchester used several different kinds) you can probably find a wedge or "elevator." If you wish to restore it the magazine tube can be replaced with a correct one, but I'd leave it as it is. There is no good reason to not install a tang sight, but I don't that would make it shoot any better.

[Mike Irwin]

Could also have been chambered for .32-40 or .38-55, both still fairly popular in 1907.

[Tom B]

Check gunpartscorp.com if you wish to replace with original type parts. They have a VG pre-64 selection.

[Buckskinner]

I noticed last night the rear buckhorn site can be moved in the dovetail about a 1/4" side to side. I've been scrubbing the bore, and its almost bright in the grooves.

Gramps always had these stories like "shooting a squirrel in the eye". And I know its been very accurate for me, but it just seems time to upgrade a bit.

The dovetail on the bottom of the barel where the magazine was cut down was filled with lead.

Any reason why I shouldn't shoot modern factory 30/30 out of this rifle?

Thanks for the responses.

[Mike Irwin]

Modern .30-30 ammo should be more than fine.