M-94 Winchester--Who uses them?

[LAH]

I have a M-94. It's one of the last Pre-64's to come off the line. I've had it a few years and guess it's my most used centerfire rifle. All the blue is gone from the receiver and the barrel is somewhat faded. The wood has some varnish left. I replaced the rear sight with a Lyman 66.

My standard load is RCBS 30-180-FN and 22 grs. of IMR 3031. This does 1600 fps. I site the gun dead on at 100 yards. I've only taken two whitetail bucks with this bullet but both were one shot kills.

I bulk load 30-30 ammo and shoot it for a fun gun. It also makes a fine truck gun. I know some places require a flatter shooting arm but here in the hollow it works fine. Though I must use some hold over it will stay on my 300 yard rock.

Anyone use a 94 as an every day rifle?

 

[45shooter]

I carried one for many years in my truck as my "ranch" and "traveling" gun. I kept it loaded with Remington 150gr JSP. In recent years it's role was replaced with a Remington 870 with slugs and OO buck shots.

 

[Jim K]

"M-94 Winchester--Who uses them?"

Somebody must. There have been over 5 million of them made and a whooole lot are out there right now.

Jim

 

[cracked butt]

I bought one from a friend (94 carbine in 30-30) for $100, used it for a year, then sold it back to him for the same amount of money. In retrospect, selling the rifle was one of the most foolish things I've done. I sold it because I wasn't impressed with its accuracy, but the next year I started using a Remington 700 wich was too much gun and too much weight to carry around in the thick woods where I hunt. The winchester 94 was the perfect gun for where I hunt, bu t I didn't realize it until too late.

 

[joegerardi]

The M94 was my first-ever rifle purchase, and just a month and a half ago. After years of only semi-auto pistols, I thought it time to get into long guns, and the 94 was the logical choice for a first. Mine is a 1968 model that I got for $179.00, and I love the damn thing. I don't hunt - it's just a range rifle for me - so I wish ammo was a bit cheaper, (I don't reload) but I still love the thing. In retrospect, now I'm kinda sorry that I vacillated on a 1903-made model 92 at the gun show last week to add to the collection., but I made up for it by getting an M1 Carbine and an AR15 instead.

..Joe

 

[Blue Line]

Lots of deer have fallen for that 94. I know my first deer feel to my Dad's Win 94 of about 1957 manufacture. Both my brothers have taken deer with that gun also. I remember as kids we thought we were on Bonanza or Gunsmoke whenever Dad let us handle it. I know back home in the Mtn State that Thurty-Thurty shells are easy to come by just about anywhere. I missed having one in my collection so I bought one last year that was made around 1905 and it shoots like a dream. I also love the sound of working that action, I guess just like the sound of an 870, some sounds you just get attached too.

 

[DHart]

Oh man.. these are wonderful lever rifles and priced just great. Of course I must state that I am a lever rifle fanatic... I love them. My favorites are Winchester 92's (and their variants, Mirokus, Navy/EMF/Rossi), Winchester 94's, and Marlin 1894s.

I just bought two new Winchester 94's, both Trappers. First I got one in .44 magnum, which I loved so much that I bought the second 94 Trapper in .45 Colt. They're all USA made, excellent fit and finish, very fine walnut stocks... just beautifully done. I recommend them highly, especially in the big bore calibers. Bought my Trappers for around $350 apiece from Sportsman's Warehouse. Best mid-three hundred dollar firearms I've ever purchased.

Winchester '94 16" Trapper - .44 Magnum

The Trapper size (16" barrel) is really appealing (unless you must have a long range rifle). They are really handy, nimble, quick to shoulder, swing easily, great for close quarters, in the brush, etc. Excellent for defense and hunting at closer ranges. I use mine for home acreage defense, plinking, camp/truck rifle, and just plain old admiring.

Did I mention the gorgeous walnut?

 

[lwsimon]

I jsut bought one for my granpa for his 83rd birthday. I figure we didn't have too many more deer seasons together, and he's watned one forever, so i went out and found a VERY dirty one at a pawn shop for $129. Took it home, presented it to him, and spent the next 7 hours taking the gun down and and cleaning/oiling every part. By the end, we were both covered in BreakAway and Rem Oil, had a new-looking(and shooting) gun, and most important, we were both grinning ear to ear

So yeah, I do like the '94s

 

[Delmar]

I just bought one for my granpa for his 83rd birthday

What a cool thing to do-tip of the hat to you sir, and I hope you have many, many seasons to enjoy the rifle and him.

 

[straightShot]

Yep, my 30-30 is lightweight, easy to handle and carry in the woods, and it is dependable. The finish is getting a little worn, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[m14nut]

Not just the '94, but any lever!

I am slowly disintergrating my rifle collection to become all levers.

You either love them or hate them, there really is no in between.
Here's a site that really focuses on the lever rifle.

The company is Beartooth Bullets, and they make probably the best HANDMADE hardcast leads I've ever shot!
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/
They also run a great shooters forum, chock full of info in all walks of guns. Try them for some info!
http://shootersforum.com/

 

[Rupestris]

Guilty as charged.
My 30-30 94 is my only centerfire rifle. I bought it two years ago from a guy who was just not a lever-gun guy. He bought it, put some Weaver rings and a scope on it, sighted it in with less than a box of ammo, took it deer hunting once and came up empty.
He sold it to me for $175 with the rings, and about 24 rounds of Rem 170 grain's. It s a early 90's production in like new condition.
Since then I've put a Simmons 3-9X Deerfield on it and have put maybe 100 rounds through it. I love this little rifle!
My next mod will be to shed the scope. I like the fact that I can shoot 2.5" groups at 100 yards without a problem but a scope just doesn't suit the 94.
I'll be putting on a Williams peep sight right after this years deer season as I'm already dialed in and I doubt I'll get to the range soon.

What buggs me about the 94 is the fact that its so versatile. I look at new .308 bolt guns and think "Naaahh... My 94 is fine for deer here in MI."
I look at Saigas and think " ... my 94 will do as a fun plinker/HD (in a pinch) gun"

If anything the 94 has stopped me from buying more guns!
cs

 

[Desert Dog]

I have my father's 94 of 1953 manufacture. The gun was in severe disuse and neglect when he finally let me take it home (it was wrapped in a blanket and stuffed in a closet for YEARS). The argument that finally got him to relinquish it was if somebody broke into the house while they were on one of their many roadtrips in their class A motorhome...

After a very long session of cleaning and removing surface rust, I have a pristine example of pre '64 Winchester workmanship. The fit and finish on the weapon is just stellar. The wood, a gorgeous walnut. I hold it up and compare it to my Rossi 454 and there is no comparison. Gun builders of old used to be real artists...

And the action and trigger is just as slick and smooth as it can be; and tight...

The only downfall to this aquisition is I have not been able to find a decent used reloading die set for 30-30... I may have to break down and go buy a new set at Sportsman's Warehouse...

Another problem is I keep finding boxes of 30-30 ammunition in my basket when I do go to Sportsman's Warehouse...

The gun is just a hoot to shoot, is a "death ray" out to 150 yards, and it brings me back to my days as a kid going deer hunting with this old slabsides in my hands...

Yeah, I got a '94...

 

[sm]

I was born in the South , what do you think?

On one's Birth Certificate it is clearly stated that the Lever Action in 30- 30 makes this birth legal . Mentions some other guns too...

Besides, 30-30 ctgs grow on the side of the roads down here....you gotta have one to shoot this "growth"....kept it to a mangable level and all. You buy a soda from a vending machine and get ctgs back as change....

My favorite is very sentimental. Model 94 in 30-30 of course. That one favors the 170 grainers.

As a rule there are not many absolutes in life. Some that do exist -

1) Don't let your wife or GF shoot a 28 ga. Shotgun- it'll cost you.
2) Don't let a person shoot a lever action rimfire....because
3) That person will also buy a lever action in centerfire and you will be blamed.

 

[chickenfried]

See what trouble a C&R license can get you in...

 

[m14nut]

Here's a pic of just some of my sickness.....

From left to right:

Winnie 9422XTR, with factory 4x scope.
Winnie 94ae Trapper in 45colt.
1969 Winnie 94; 30-30 te.
1952 Marlin 336RC 35 Remington
Marlin 336CB in 38-55win.
Savage 99, series A in 308 win. Circa 1980's
Savage 99eg, 300savage. Circa 1951

Picking up a Marlin 1895 GS tomorrow...that the stainless 45-70 ported guide gun

 

[chickenfried]

ooooh! nice way to display your leverguns, m14nut. So how do you figure out what gets put in the safe or the display case?

 

[m14nut]

Well most of the time it's levers, but other times it might be all U.S. military.
Other times, it's bolts. Some times shotties

That way, none of the long guns get jealous

 

[Onmilo]

Killed my very first deer with a model 94 in .30/30 caliber.
I don't own one now but really should.

 

[WT]

I was once talking to a Texan about using a Model 94 as a 'deer rifle' in Pennsylvania. He gave me the strangest look. Down in his part of the woods they call it a 'saddle rifle'. Once we got our definitions straight we had a fine old time talking about the 'thutty-thutty.'

 

[pragmatic]

m14nut

Thanks for the lever action posting site - I've been searching for just such a place
My gun collection is also disintegrating into lever action only
I have tried to stay with winchester's trappers but think I shall broaden my lines
What happened to the 9422 trapper line - I know is has been discontinued
but why?
:banghead:
I have the 22lr and the 22 mag
I am trying to figure out if I can buy the mach 2 in the 9422 (regular length) and have it modified to trapper specs.

 

[DHart]

oooooh... did someone mention Trappers?

pragmatic... they are one of my addictions.... so far these have come home with me:

---------------------------------------------------------------
Winchester/Miroku '92 Ltd. 16" Trapper - .45 Colt

---------------------------------------------------------------
Winchester '94 16" Trapper - .44 Magnum

---------------------------------------------------------------
Legacy/Rossi '92 Ltd. 16" Trapper - .454 Casull

---------------------------------------------------------------
Winchester '94 16" Trapper - .45 Colt

Sure do love Trappers!

 

[m14nut]

It's not a Winnie, but a smooth Marlin Stainless guide gun in 45-70 followed me home last weekend!!!!!

 

[1911Tuner]

The Never-Ending M-94

In this day of plastic furniture and evil box magazines, I'm probably considered by many of the tactical crowd to be something of a dinosaur.
I like lever-rifles in general, and the M-94 in particular.

Here you have Grandpa's old deer rifle...Visions of John Wayne fending off hordes of hostiles...generally saving the day and the damsel in distress.
It's neat, handy, powerful, accurate enough for its intended role, and not
nearly as likely to cause alarms to be sounded over the siting of one of those terrible assault weapons.

Locked within its design is the ability to shoot one/load one without taking it out of battery. I would much prefer to face a Mall Ninja armed with an AK-47 than have to go up against a 75 year-old farmer who "only" has an "obsolete", late 19th Century design such as the old reliable "Thutty-Thutty." Tactical Tommy will be more likely burn up his ammo too quickly
and frighten the horses while Farmer John is drawin' a bead on his chest and squeezin' off the shot.

Add that to the availability of ammunition practically everywhere in the continental U.S. at half the cost of several other, more popular rifle calibers.
The rifle itself is available for a fraction of the cost of a Colt AR-15 or one of its clones. All in all, a very good choice for a go anywhere, do (nearly) anything general-purpose rifle. It'll put meat on the table, and it'll defend your borders...and it'll do it without breakin' your checkbook.

Okay...I'm a dinosaur. Proud ta be one too...

Put me down as a fan of the '94 Winchester.

 

[ID_shooting]

Others may come and go, but there is allways my first rifle in the cabinet, Winnie m94