I remember West Virgina about 1978. I was 9 and I loved my Dad. We had a Marlin .22 and we would shoot it all day. He took me to the "hollers" where he grew up in the late 30's and early 40's. He told me something I would never forget. He said "All you need Son is a .22 and a .30-30, thats all and you can hunt whatever you want." I never got that .30-30. My dad worked for 38 years at Ford Motor Company to make sure I had everything I needed. He died in 1996. I just got my .30-30. A Winchester 94 made in 1979. I know all you collectors dont care. Its not a pre-64, nothing special about it, but to me it's everthing. My son is 5 years old, he never met his granddad but the first time he hunts with his Dad he will have that Winchester and I'll tell him what Granddad said to me. Thanks Dad, I miss you!
Winchester 94 - New to Me and My Story
- Thread starter brianr23
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Chris-bob
Member
My Dad wouldn't let me have his Winchester 94 Classic, but it was the first large caliber I shot. So when I saw one at a gun show, I bought it immediately. Every time I get it out it reminds me of him. He's still here, just a few thousand miles away.
T.R.
Member
I started out with a borrowed Winchester and shot my first deer with it. Many years later, Dad presented me with a new model 94 Legacy and its my favorite rifle.
Vast majority of collecters don't even hunt with their Winchester carbines. Of course there are exceptions. But I often wonder why anyone would buy a collectable firearm and never hunt with it. Sort of like owning a classic car and never driving it. A mystery to me.
TR
Vast majority of collecters don't even hunt with their Winchester carbines. Of course there are exceptions. But I often wonder why anyone would buy a collectable firearm and never hunt with it. Sort of like owning a classic car and never driving it. A mystery to me.
TR
My go-to gun is a dinged-up third- or fourth-hand 1973 Model 94 with spotty finish and a receiver peep. Wonderful rifle. Who cares if it's made after '64? It sounds like you have some great memories of your Dad and I'll bet if you pass your .30-30 on to your son he'll have a tangible reminder of you, as well.
What your father told you about cartridges is probably good advice in WVA. But that would not be true out west or other regions.
Nothing wrong with a later model 94, I own one, a 1966 vintage. It was owned by a mounted police unit near where I live and was traded for an AR as times changed and the mounted unit was disbanded. To me it's a piece of history. It doesn't get used much where I live as OH doesn't allow deer hunting with rifles. Mine because it was owned by a police force has a metal butt plate instead of plastic. There may be other items not standard but I'm no expert on model 94's.
Sure pre 64 Winchesters are nice but I wouldn't own one, I like the newer ones better. I've had 2 newer model 70's and I'd take them over a pre 64 any day.
Enjoy your 94. Some day they may be making them in polymer the way things are going. You have something that will make you think of your father every time you use it. My father unfortunately did not like guns so I have nothing to remind me of him when I'm out hunting or shooting.
Nothing wrong with a later model 94, I own one, a 1966 vintage. It was owned by a mounted police unit near where I live and was traded for an AR as times changed and the mounted unit was disbanded. To me it's a piece of history. It doesn't get used much where I live as OH doesn't allow deer hunting with rifles. Mine because it was owned by a police force has a metal butt plate instead of plastic. There may be other items not standard but I'm no expert on model 94's.
Sure pre 64 Winchesters are nice but I wouldn't own one, I like the newer ones better. I've had 2 newer model 70's and I'd take them over a pre 64 any day.
Enjoy your 94. Some day they may be making them in polymer the way things are going. You have something that will make you think of your father every time you use it. My father unfortunately did not like guns so I have nothing to remind me of him when I'm out hunting or shooting.
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