General questions about an older Winchester '94

[Fractal X]

Between the buying panics I spotted a lonely little Winchester lever rifle in the back of the consignment rack. There was something about it that caught my eye - maybe it was the absolute lack of anything tacticool, the saddle ring, or that the bluing that had gone plum on some of the parts. Regardless, once I picked it up and look it over, I knew it was going home with me.

This is an older Model '94, the serial number is 866xxx. According to the Winchester serial number records, this says that it was manufactured in 1919. It's taken its share of bumps, thumps, and scrapes. But the action is slick and everything seems to function as it should (though I should note that I have not fired it).

I've noticed that there's a lot of (often conflicting) information regarding the Model '94s. However, I've noticed that the glut of information diminishes rapidly once you start talking about the earlier model years (lets say the 1940's and earlier - you know, only the first 50 years of production).

Now, I don't pretend know it all (Timoshenko and Castigliano made sure I understood that). So I'll just tell you, not only is this my first earlier Model '94, it's my first Model '94. In fact, it's my first lever gun.

So if you know of any places with good information on these earlier Model '94s I'd be glad to hear of them. In addition, I'd love to hear any hints, tips, or other insight that may prove helpful - especially if it pertains to the Model '94.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Pretty amazing what information some of these guys have=
http://www.shootersforum.com/winchester-94-lever-guns/

 

[Abel]

Congrats on your new rifle. It would be helpful if you posted pics.

 

[BluegrassDan]

http://www.amazon.com/Winchester-Model-94-Century-Craftmanship/dp/1440203911

This is a good book with lots of info on the earlier years.

 

[Malamute]

Congrats on a nice old Winchester carbine. I've shot some older ones that shot quite well. I banged the 600 yard steel plate several times with a similar vintage carbine with original sights.

I've seen some less than stellar info online about Winchesters. For one of the best places to get info on leverguns, try here,

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/index.php

It's been determined that most of the generally accepted dates of manufacture can be off by several years. This is a post with the best known info to date and an explanation of how the discrepency came about. Your gun was most likely built in 1917.

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29545

ATF still uses the old dates, it would be a real issue to change the whole system at this point, and not that many guns are really affected.

 

[Fractal X]

Thank for the links guys. I don't have terribly much free time right now, but I'll definitely be taking a closer look at those links - especially the "shooter's forum" and "Lever guns community" forums as I have some time.

I do have a couple corrections to make though: I listed the serial number from memory and recalled it incorrectly. The correct serial number is 806,xxx (which would date it to 1915-16 based on the links that Malamute posted). Secondly, upon opening the safe I realized the plum bluing that I had referred to happened to one of my revolvers and not to any of the parts on this rifle.

But the weekend was not a total loss, I did manage to swing by my safe and get some pictures of the rifle - unfortunately, I left my camera at my apartment (~50 miles and a county away from my safe) so all I have is cellphone pictures.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nn3o7o3mm6k59uh/tCCKUGDNVJ

Also, what are your thoughts on taking it to the range and shooting it? I have some cast lead .30 cal flat nose bullets leftover from making up some reduced 30-06 training rounds for my sister. Would you anticipate any problems if I did the same for this, or should I just let her be a safe queen?

 

[Art Eatman]

No reason not to shoot it.

I had an ancient, rusted Type 1, 1902 manufacture. I did a steel-wool and oil job on all the pieces. Somebody in Mexico had welded up the barrel on this old bring-back. So, I found a good used Type 2 barrel and screwed it in. Cobbled up some workable sights.

Wore a leather work glove. Held the gun around the corner of the house and shot. Nothing bad happened.

Went to the bench rest. Checked the sights at 25 yards; okay. Went to 100 yards. Danged if it wasn't dead on!

 

[Malamute]

I'd shoot it. Regular factory loadas are fine, or similar handloads. All the 94's other than the earliest ones in 32-40 and 38-55 are fine for factory loads if in decent condition. Those two mentioned didnt have as tough of barrels as the smokeless chambered guns at first, but were otherwise also fine for regular smokeless loads.

Don't have a cow if primers back out a little, it's pretty common, even if headspace is fine. The factory loads are pretty mild pressure wise, and often a bit undersize for headspace themselves. The shell isn't even getting enough pressure to force the shell head back against the bolt face and reseat the primers when fired (that is considered the normal situation in high power rifles, the primer backs out slightly then is reseated, slightly protruding primers are a low pressure sign, not neccesarily a headspace issue). It bothers some people, but if it isn't excessive, it doesn't usually cause a problem.