Antique Winchester '94 - Advise Required

[Fractal X]

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking at a .30WCF (a.k.a. 30-30) Winchester '94 that was made ~1915 (serial is 8066XX). The wood and finish appears to be original and I'd estimate it to be 60%-70%. It has a ding in the left side of magazine tube about halfway up that is noticeable but it doesn't affect the tube's function. They're asking $300.

I hadn't planned on bringing home another long gun but I'm really liking it. The money would be a stretch but I think I can do it without eating to much Ramen . The kicker is that the counter guy had just agreed to hold it for one day for me before one of the other guys at the counter said "If he doesn't take it I will." So I need to make up my mind by the end of business tomorrow.

So, is it a reasonable deal? I'd appreciate any comments or advise for or against buying it. Let me know what you think.

Thank you for your time,
Robert

 

[Curator]

Yes, I'd buy it--pre64 Winchester 94s ae worth at least $400 if in good condition.

 

[FTSESQ]

Dude! What are you waiting for? Snatch that thing up. Hurry... Go. Now!

 

[Abel]

A neat hunting rifle for sure...and worth a bit more. Make sure that it functions. Put some cartridges in and cycle them.

 

[CraigC]

Sounds like a great deal! I know I was happy to pay $500 for this 1901 vintage .30WCF rifle that was once much longer but had been trimmed to 20". The old rifle still draws blood just fine:

 

[Kernel]

Do it. $300 ain't a bad price.

 

[essayons21]

$300 in functional condition is a steal around here. I usually see them for $800+. I paid $500 for a 99% condition 1940s 1894 in 30-30 and I was happy with the deal.

 

[rcmodel]

Only advice I can offer is to check the bore, and especially the rifling at the muzzle very carefully.

All 94's were cleaned from the muzzle, if they were cleaned at all.
Corrosive primers were all there were in 1915.

I have seen a lot of old winchester lever-guns with all the rifling worn out of the muzzle from 100+ years of cleaning rod wear.
Sort of like a blunderbuss, with a much smaller blunder!

They won't shoot accurately, bullets will tumble, and there is nothing you can do about it you can afford to do, short of counter-boring it, or cutting it off past the wear.

Neither option is good for an old Winchester 94 you want to shoot.

rc

 

[250-3000]

I have my great grandfather's '94 30 WCF made in 1913, barrel looks like a gravel road, never really checked the muzzle, groups about 8" @ 25 yds. Will never hunt with it, but wouldn't part with it. Not real fun to shoot either, its a carbine, real light with steel on the butt.

 

[Fractal X]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

I went down this morning and paid for it. The barrel didn't look to bad but I suppose there's no way of really knowing until it gets some range time.

Pics to come in about three weeks when I pick up (I don't know if it's state, federal, or just store policy, but the store holds consignments for 30 days to see if they turn up "hot" before they start the 10 day wait).

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Put some cartridges in and cycle them.

I doubt the store will let him do that.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

might check the head space as well, i have seen a few of those old timers where the primers backed out

still a good price if it still has the crescent butt plate