Talk me out of : Win 94

[Furncliff]

Occasionally I go into the pawnshops, a couple of days ago I came across a Winchester 94 in 30-30. I have been on the lookout for a Marlin 1894C, never owned a lever action. I decided against buying it because the action "felt sloppy", barrel was too filthy to be able to evaluate it. I thought the serial # was 300.123, but I could have been wrong (more likely) it may have been 300.1234. The first case would make it a 1903? the second case would have made it a 1967. This pawnshop tends to price high, I have to believe that this old timer is no exception...price $225.

What would you do?

 

[kennedy]

spend alittle more and get a pre 64

 

[dispatch55126]

You're correct on the serial numbers. I wouldn't talk you out of buying a '94 since my father as a '94 dating to 1928 and i have a blast shooting it. From what I remember, the lever action did feel slightly loose but not enough for me to worry about it. Use your best judgement, if the metal appears overly worn or damaged or if the barrel is corroded, then don't bother. There's always a gun show. If everything else good but the stock, I'd think about it. You can pick up a replacement stock from Cabela's for a reasonable price.

 

[MountainBear]

Buy it. Even for a 1965, the prices are going nowhere but up since the factory shut down. Plus lots of people want a lever action without the crossbolt safety. $225 seems like a decent price, but you could always attempt to haggle them down some.

 

[Jackal]

I'm gonna get reamed for this, but save yourself and buy a Marlin. Hands down a better rifle.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

$225 isn't bad for a workable Win 30-30, since they don't make them anymore.

If you're interested, I'd take some cleaning gear (or maybe just some fishline and patches to tie to it and pull through) down there and ask if you can run a few patches w/ solvent through. If the bore is junk, then no.

If the bore cleans up, and it seems that the looseness can be tightened with a few screws, then maybe make a big deal to the shopkeep about the bore and looseness and see if they come down.

I'm more a Marlin man myself, but wouldn't turn down a Winny. FWIW, I just bought a Marlin 336 (1961) for $175. Bore looked dingy but turned into a mirror after two patches, buttplate is broken and needs $10 replacement.

Just depends what you want to mess with. Or you could wait until the end of hunting season and see what turns up at local gunshows and pawnshops.

-MV

 

[hopp9]

furncliff,marlins hands down better than a win 94,oh PLEEEse give me a brk

 

[mustanger98]

Buy the Winchester. My old '94- the one I brag on all the time- it's a 1971 and I paid $180 (includes tax) for it several years ago. $225 ain't doing bad these days. Especially if it's in good shape. MatthewVanitas is right about getting a good look at the bore.

The Winchester vs. Marlin debate rages on... The only solution is at the personal level. Aquire one of each and see which you like better. Personally, I like '94's and 336's equally well, but my go-to deer rifle is my Winchester.

 

[BC_bush_man]

94

I have a 76 win 94 30.30 and a marlin 39a .22.
I am fairly new to rifles and guns and may not be comparing apples to apples but the 94 is the most "perfect" feeling gun I have ever held. it balances perfectly in the hand and is lighter than the marlin. It just feels like it's all business. The marlin is a beauty and the 94 is a little rough around the edges, but god darn, does it feel good. I sometimes hold my 94 in my hand while watching tv for hours, it just does not want to leave me.
I guess there will always be a marlin vs win debate. Marlin is definitely winning this debate, but play with both, you may be surprised at which one just feels right.

 

[MCgunner]

I like the solid receiver top (and scope mount holes) of the Marlin, but I have a friend with a pre-64 M94 Winchester that is a TACK driver! He's got a Williams receiver aperture sight on it and it is a wonderful little gun. It was his grandpa's, so of course he won't sell it.

 

[Gewehr98]

Buy that Winchester.

Or tell me where it is and I'll buy it. The price is very good, especially since Winchester closed their doors - and you've found a proper top-eject, non-crossbolt or tang safety 94, regardless of whether it's a pre-'64 or not. By 1967 they'd already started replacing stamped internal parts with good pieces again, so it should be fairly smooth.

As for loose, yes, the Winchester Model 94 actions feel loose, but it's by design. Note that the Win 94 action isn't terribly bigger than the Win 92 action, but the 94 handles rifle cartridges considerably longer than the 92's revolver cartridges. So (with apologies to Cosmoline) the gun virtually disassembles itself each time it cycles, to accomodate the longer rounds. Genius in the part of John Moses Browning.

Marlins have always felt oversized and clunky to me, and just don't handle as well as the trim and maneuverable Winchester 94. Likewise, if I wanted to mount a scope on a .30-30, I simply did so with a Savage Model 340. My latest acquisition, a 1975-vintage Model 94 Winchester, heads afield sans optics, and will do so as long as my eyes still work as issued. John Moses would approve.

 

[db_tanker]

Ford v Chevy...M-70 v 700...the debates are fun...


Get what fits you...just so happens that the 94 fits me.


I do agree with the advice to find a good pre-64, however...better all-around investment...but its not 100% necessary.

D

 

[ScottsGT]

I just sold my 1974 made Winchester this weekend at a gunshow for $225.00 And yes, I think my Marlin is a much higher quality rifle than the Winchester was. I kept the Marlin, not the Winchester. Of course, the 1974 models had the crappy finish on the receiver, the mechanism does have more slop in it than a Marlin, but I did have reservations about letting it go. Once you learn to apply downward pressure on the lever, it works no problem when you cycle it.

 

[Essex County]

In My area a decent post 64 eill run 280.00 to 350.00. Pre '64s are higher...Essex

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If the bore cleans up, and it seems that the looseness can be tightened with a few screws, then maybe make a big deal to the shopkeep about the bore and looseness and see if they come down.

The 94 Winchester is not designed to be tight when the action is open. The question is, does it lock up tight?