Grandpa's Rifle

[Sommerled]

My Dad has given me my dear Grandpa's Mod 94 in 32Spcl. I remember shooting as a kid 40 years ago...

but what I don't remember is the floppy trigger. I have newer 94's in handgun calibers and none of them have a trigger that flops back and forth with no spring pressure.

While in a Cabela's gun library I handled a few older Winchester 94 lever guns and found a few whose trigger had alot of free play just like Grandpa's. I asked the two (a bit uppity) guys in the room with Cabela labels on their shirts about it and they said, " Yeah, that's the way they are."

Would you gentlemen please coment on this?

This gun is pristine, no rust, barely fired since dad never used it but kept it oiled. I don't know how old it is but Grandpa's name is on the case with a date of 1945.

Is this normal? Or should it be repaired? I'd like to use this gun on a hunt...

 

[gallo]

Show us a PIC.

 

[h20fowl]

Sommerled,

I also have a model 94 in .32 win spl. I have checked the serial number and it was manufactured in '52. mine has a floppy trigger too, shoot mine all the time without issues.

 

[JHK94]

My great-grandpa's 94 in 30-30 (mnfg 1952) also has this floppy trigger. I kind of just pretend its a weird 2-stage trigger

 

[Speedo66]

Just checked my original 1873, no floppy trigger.

Those new fangled 1894s, well, guess they just don't make 'em like they used to.

 

[Zeke/PA]

The Model 94 / .32 Special is a great deer woods combination.
HOWEVER the availability of .32 Special ammo might be a problem.
I suggest reloading and/or purchasing ANY .32 Special ammo that you see available.

 

[rcmodel]

Thats the way the 94 trigger is supposed to work by design. At least the pre-64 ones anyway.

There is no trigger return spring at all.

If it isn't floppy, there is something like dried oil & dirt gumming up the works.
If it isn't floppy, it also isn't safe, and it needs to be cleaned and/or fixed.

rc

 

[Jim K]

It is supposed to be that way. The trigger and sear are separate parts, unlike the Model 73 and Model 92, and the trigger has no spring. The purpose is to allow the sear to reset even if the trigger is interfered with while operating the lever.

Jim

 

[Sunray]

"....32 Special ammo might be a problem..." Federal, Remington, Winchester and Hornady(LEVERevolution) all load .32 Special. Not terribly expensive either. $22 to $25 per 20 at Midway. Won't likely be found in small places though.
"...This gun is pristine..." Look after it. It's worth a bunch of money.
"...a bit uppity..." Salesmen who sell high end collector grade firearms are like that.

 

[Sommerled]

Thanks everyone. Your explaination of the design is most helpfull,

Real nice in Minnesota today so based on what you all said,,, I went out and fired Grandpa's rifle with my handloads and the new Hornady flex tip loads.

Good accuracy for open sights with both loads at 75yds. The hornady stuff must be alot faster than mine as it hits higher. Easy to keep all the shots in a 4 inch circle off of shooting sticks. Ready for deer next year!

Happy thanksgiving to all!

Sommerled