My first rifle! Woo-HOO!

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joegerardi

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I feel just like I did when I bought my first handgun 6 years ago...

I stopped by my gunshop today just because, and BS'ed with the guys for about an hour. I was just getting ready to leave and I happen to notice a lever-action sitting on the shelf. I casually asked if it was a Winchester, and they said it was, so I asked to see it. It was a model 94, and though I don't know much about rifles, I knew it was an older model beause it didn't have the front sight hood.

Anyway, I've been wanting to get a long gun for a bit, so I asked the price. $179.00, so naturally, it followed me home.

I was wondering how old it actually was, so I found a site on the 'Net that will list its age based on serial number: 1968.

The bluing is off most of the edges on the receiver, the muzzle, and part of the tube end, but that doesn't bother me with this puppy. It kind of adds to its character. This is a Winchester, after all: A working man's gun. There's a ding or 2 in the stock, but ditto on those.

So, with the long weekend and all, barring any interference from hurricane Frances, I plan to get it to the range. A couple of questions: There's no manual, so I don't really know how to clean it, and the Winchester site's downloadable manual says to only go down the barrel from the muzzle end with a rod and patches. Is that all there is to it? Isn't there some sort of field strip procedure?

Lastly: I seem to remember that there's some "golden date" that Winchesters are differentiated by. Does mine fall before or after that date?

..Joe

PS: Any tips or recommendations on the care and feeding?
 
A couple of questions: There's no manual, so I don't really know how to clean it, and the Winchester site's downloadable manual says to only go down the barrel from the muzzle end with a rod and patches. Is that all there is to it? Isn't there some sort of field strip procedure?
thats pretty much it. winnys (like mine) don't disassemble as easily as marlins.

on the good side, lever guns don't get dirty like semi-auto rifles.

I clean the barrel as mentioned, then use some oil and Q-tips to clean the action.

:D
 
I believe the "demarcation point" has to do with the lack of a safety. Those made after have an annoying and easy to hit cross-bolt safety. The cross-bolt safety was very recently eliminated and replaced with a tang safety.
 
I use an OTIS cable on my lever actions. You thread the cable through the breech end and pull it out thorugh the muzzle.

They work great (I don't use a rod on anything anymore).

I like my 94. Good luck with yours.
 
Ahh! First rifle

I got my first rifle(and first gun) about a month ago. Its a nice M1 Garand in 30.06 I still have not shot it because my mom will not take me to the range for awhile. Speaking of that does anyone know how to get the stock off the gun? It seems to be stuck on the legs and I tried to pry it off but only dinted the stock. Any kind of oil that I should put on the legs if I do get it off? And yes I take the trigger group off before I try!:D
 
Thanks for the answers, guys.

I believe the "demarcation point" has to do with the lack of a safety. Those made after have an annoying and easy to hit cross-bolt safety. The cross-bolt safety was very recently eliminated and replaced with a tang safety.
Cortland: Thanks for the heads up. mine has no such safety except for a little plunger that the lever depresses to release the trigger.

..Joe
 
I'm guessing yours is a .30-30? If it is, I've had good results with 150 grain Remington Core-Lokt at 100-200 yards for accuracy.



Don't scope it. It's a levergun.
 
Lastly: I seem to remember that there's some "golden date" that Winchesters are differentiated by. Does mine fall before or after that date?

1964. Winchester Rifles after that had some design changes and are not considered as valubale...

I personally have 2 Winchester 94s, one made in the 50's and one made in the 70's. The Older one is nicer, but both are good guns. I think the Model 94 (in 30-30) is just about the perfect hunting rifle, unless long ranges are involved. I'm taking my 1970's made Winchester deer hunting with me this year...
 
Just to get some action going in this forum, and to answer a question I have:

What is a good, inexpensive range ammo to buy?

..Joe
 
Assuming your gun is a 30-30, I think you may be out of luck as far as finding cheap ammo since that caliber is used a lot more for hunting than recreational shooting. My rifle (also my first) is chambered in .270win so I have the same problem. The cheapest ammo I've been able to find is ~$12 per box of 20 for cheap Winchester Super X and Remington Core Lokt at Wal Mart (I think they were comparably priced in 30-30). You may want to check there.
 
If you want cheap ammo, now would be a good time to get into reloading :D

military surplus WC846 powder is dirt cheap and works great in .30-30; cases will last darn near forever; .308" round nose bullets are pretty cheap (not as cheap as spire points, mind you).

You'd be able to recoup the cost of a Lee hand press, die set, dippers, and primer tool in no time.
 
Congrats. Lever guns are my favorite. I prefer Marlins but will readily admit the Winny's are easier to carry and are a bit more handy. 30-30 is a great round and has taken just about everything on this continent.

For cheap ammo about the best thing you can do(besides reloading) is to wait until after deer season and hit the Wal-Mart's and other stores like that. They may have some discounted just to get it off the shelf.
 
Congrats! Sounds like you made a very good first choice for a rifle, and I'll bet you a nickel that you will have two more rifles in two years. I also agree that 1964 is the "differentiating date" for Winchesters, but in practical terms you won't notice any significant difference.
 
There's no manual, so I don't really know how to clean it, and the Winchester site's downloadable manual says to only go down the barrel from the muzzle end with a rod and patches.

The otis pull through type cleaner has been mentioned, and another choice would be to buy a quality rod with a muzzle guide. They main concern with cleaning from the muzzle end is damaging the crown with the rod. Damaged crowns can really screw up acuracy.
 
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