Picked up a Winchester 94

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Went to the LGS today, and saw this old rifle in the used gun rack. I've never owned or even shot a lever gun, but remember hearing that the pre-1964 guns are preferred to the newer ones.

I checked the serial number and it dates the gun to 1955. The gun obviously has a bunch of wear, so I offered 200 bucks and took her home. On the opposite side, there are two screws from where somebody had mounted a scope.

Lever gun guys...how did I do? I'm mainly a S&W revolver guy, and snuck over here from that subforum. :)

-lc

winchester.jpg
 
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If the bore is good and the mechanism works well, you got a good deal.

Is it .30-30 WCF??

By the way, the two screw holes on the left side of the receiver are not for mounting a 'scope but were drilled at the factory in order for the owner to mount a receiver (peep) sight. Williams, Redfield, Lyman, and others made receiver sights for the lever action rifles.

L.W.
 
Well the stocks been cut and an unneeded recoil pad added.

Post a pick of the receiver where the scope mount holes were drilled.

You may be looking at the two holes at the top rear of the receiver on every one where a receiver sight could be mounted??

Other then that, if the bore is good?
You stole it!

Rc
 
Here are some more pics of the gun.

It is chambered in .30-30 Win. I removed the butt pad and took a pic of the gun without it. The edge is surprisingly even and doesn't look like a home hack job. I'm hoping that the stock is original length, because I would like to get a stock butt plate for it. If it has been cut, then I will probably just keep the pad on it.

*Edit - From looking at pics online, that stock definitely looks like it has been shortened.

P8202609.jpg

P8202604.jpg

P8202601.jpg
 
There is in fact two extra holes on the left side. I think most of us were hoping it was the receiver sight mounting holes you were referring to. It looks like they left the scope base screws nin the holes. You could likely get some filler screws without heads to fill them and be less noticeable.

I just measured a factory stock. From the center of the wood where it touches the receiver below the hammer, to the center part of the stock that would touch the butt plate measures 12 15/16. (basically the centerline of the stock from the side)

Stock doesnt look cut to me.

I agree, you got a good deal if the bore is shootable.
 
Shoot it!!!

I picked one up for $250 a ccouple years ago that was unfired. It was a post '64 in .30-30. Guys went back and forth about not shooting it, put it in the safe on one side. The other side said shoot it and enjoy it as that's what it was made for.

You bet I shot it, what a great rifle! Always wanted a lever rifle so there was no way I was going to pass up shooting it. Have fun at the range.
 
The stock is definitely cut.
If it's flat now?
The carbine originally had a steel butt plate with a slight curve in it.

image.jpg

The scope holes don't look that bad if you would take those cap screws out and replace them with flush plug screws.

I have seen a lot worse anyway!!

Some I have seen look like Swiss Cheese on the left side!!

rc
 
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A Williams peep sight will probably cover up the two holes if you want to install a better than stock set of sights.
 
The two small holes at the rear were already there to attach a peep sight.

He's talking about the two big flat-head screws front & back that aren't supposed to be there.

rc
 
It's a little rough, but with some minor tweaking you'll have a good shooter at a bargain price. I'd use some filler screws where the scope mounts were drilled, replace the pad, clean it up a bit and use it.
 
The stock is definitely cut.
If it's flat now?
The carbine originally had a steel butt plate with a slight curve in it.
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying, and agree that it should have the slight curve for that year. I did measure it on the screen, the length of pull, center of the butt to the trigger, and that distance, when going forward on the gun from the same point on the trigger, goes just forward of the rear barrel/stock band, about its width past it. That measurement is the same on an unaltered '50's carbine. It may have had the curve removed for the pad, but the length looks pretty good so far as I can tell.
 
if you want to scope it, put headless filler screws in the extra holes and but a weaver side mount that will fit the factory holes(two for the receiver sight and the one that keeps the bolt removable pin in. their are two different mount bases, one for your rifle(pre 64 with receiver sight holes) and one for the newer(post 64) md 94. to me it is a perfect knock about woods rifle as is at a very good price. eastbank.
 
Really good deal if you asked me. A pre-64 winchester for less than most sks's nowadays!
 
$200? for a '55?

SWEET score. Good looking 60 year old huh?

Stock can always be replaced but that wood figure looks too good to mess with or replace.

Make a nice brass piece (or steel) to fit, shape it, call it your "trapper from the other end" and shoot it. If bore and muzzle are clean, it should be fine. While you're busy working the butt, do infill the 2 extra holes cleanly as recommended.

Depending on the age of your eyes, maybe add an aperture in back.
 
Boyd's sells replacement stocks. I'd fill the scope mount holes with plug screws, mount a Williams Sourdough reciever sight, and dovetail slot in place of open rear sight. All three of my M94's wear reciever sights.

Shoot it! Caution, they're addictive!
 
I think ya stole it for $200.00. Still quite popular in Pa and you SELDOM see 'em, in worst condition, for under $350.00. That is, by the way for a pre '64. Coogs.
 
I think u did well, it's not really collectible because of the mods. BUT it's a quality user at a bargain price. I'll give ya $275 for it:)
 
I have a couple of pre-64 Winchesters and one post 64. The pres are .25-35 and belonged to my Dad. I would have been all over that rifle for $200, screws, recoil pad or not.

Just my opinion, but I would probably not replace the butt stock. It will never match the fore end wood. Replacing both will not match the wear/patina on the metal. Whoever put the recoil pad on did a decent job as it matches the lines/contours of the stock.

It has lost collector value, but it looks like a great old carbine. I'd leave it alone and shoot it.
 
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