Winchester 94 sights

[Psa1m144]

I recently acquired a winchester 94 32 caliber pre 64 model. It is in decent shape and I'm looking to do some work to it. First off, it is missing the rear sight, I'm assuming that it was removed because there was a scope on it at one point. The side scope mount is still attached. Is there a way to reattach a rear iron sight or should I look for a scope? From what I've read, a lot of people prefer the iron sights on these guns.

What would you do? Any other modifications you might make?

 

[wlewisiii]

If it has two little screw holes near the left rear of the receiver, I'd put a peep sight on it. That's what I did with my 1965 in fact. I took off the scope mount, tapped out the rear sight and put a Williams 5D peep sight on it. I find it much easier to use this way.

 

[batmann]

You can order the original rear sight from Midway I think. I have Williams Fire Sights on mine, but with my eyes, I really should mount a scope, just think it ruins the lines.

 

[bigedp51]

In 30 years it has never fogged up or let me down, and you can change the focus and depth of field.





Below, a No.4 Enfield with a 25 inch barrel with my 30-30 Trapper Model with a 16 1/2 barrel and aperture sights.
(both rifles have peep sights and are very fast acquiring a target)

 

[Psa1m144]

It appears to have had holes drilled post production so I'm not sure if the Williams gun sight will fit, do you know how far apart the holes need to be? Even if the holes are the right distance they may not be the right size. Looks like this may be a trial and error experience getting it sighted.

 

[Psa1m144]

The side mount that is installed is a weaver mounting base, similar to this http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=41913/ttver=1/Product/SIDE_MOUNT_BASES

With this type of mount I would need http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27347/ttver=1/Product/SIDE_MOUNT_1__RINGS

So the peep sight seems to be out of the question unless I'm missing something, looks like I need to decide between a side mounted scope or replacing the rear sight.

 

[wlewisiii]

Can you post a picture of the left side of the receiver?

 

[Psa1m144]

Picture of the left side of the receiver and mounting base

 

[wlewisiii]

Ok, yours is not factory drilled and tapped for a receiver sight. There would be two small holes with screws in them up near the rear of the receiver. I'd take that side plate off and then take it to a gunsmith and have it drilled and tapped for a Williams 5D installed. I think it's a much better option than any optical sight on a 94.

Good luck with what you choose.

 

[GCBurner]

Picture of the left side of the receiver and mounting base

That's the older model Weaver base for the Winchester Models 94 and 64 that were not drilled at the factory for mounts or receiver sights. All you need is the quick detachable side mount from Weaver that fastens to the base, it should be the same as the one used on the current model base.

 

[stan rose]

If it were my gun I would remove the current scope mount, and have a lyman reciever sight installed. Before sending it off to a smith to be drilled and tapped check the spacing on the rear most holes, they may be the same spacing that is required for a peep sight. Again that is just what I would do you may prefer to have a scope, but I am a huge fan of peep sights on my rifles, especially my old lever actions. Either way enjoy it, and a 1950 vintage '94 in .32ws my first centerfire rifle, given to me by my father.

 

[stan rose]

Two more little things. As much as I love peep sights my friend John can't stand them, and one of his 94s came with no rear sight so he ordered one from Numerich and just set it in the dovetail. He shoots these rifles very well with the factory sights, as most people who have used them for the last 100+ yrs. I also don't believe that the rear two screw holes with be the correct spacing for a reciever sight.

 

[AKElroy]

I also don't believe that the rear two screw holes with be the correct spacing for a reciever sight.

I believe they are. I installed a williams on one of my 94's manufactured in 1974. I do not recall a date cut-off when ordering, and the one screw hole I see in the pic under the scope base looks correct; the other is covered but I would be surprised if the Williams failed to be a direct bolt-on. It completely transformed my shooting with this rifle. 25 yard groups with the peep are one ragged hole.

 

[Psa1m144]

Thank you all for the input. I hate to throw more options into the mix but has anyone had any experience with a tang sight on the 94? If so, how does it compare to the receiver mounted peep sight? I've never used either so I'm trying to cover all the bases before I dump my money into this.

 

[outerlimit]

I always have considered the 1894 a nice, lightweight brush gun. Mine is a .30-30 and I love it. And Lever Revolution increases the range a bit as well. Putting a scope on it just seems to defeat the purpose to me. Why take a small, lightweight, powerful gun that is easy to maneuver and start adding stuff to it that takes away from it's strong points?

 

[Psa1m144]

Just read on Brownells website that the williams peep sight will only work on the angle eject 94's, mine is a top eject... is this true?

Edited:
They do have a model for top eject 94s on midways website.

 

[Sav .250]

The side-mount scope is flat ugly on a 94 but lots of guys need a scope so that`s a wash.
I`d remove that mount and go with a Williams FS peep sight. J s/n.

 

[AKElroy]

Why take a small, lightweight, powerful gun that is easy to maneuver and start adding stuff to it that takes away from it's strong points?

A peep sight hardly changes the handling of the gun. Many folks like me have serious vison issues that really fuzzies out the stock iron sights; the peep is perfectly suited to old eyes. As far as quick target acquisition, combining lighting fast swings to shoulder afforded by the 94 with lightning fast target acquisition with the Williams, and you have a serious snap to shot ability. I do not have any other rig that will put rounds nicely on target faster, and I own 40+ long & short arms.

 

[Tape]

Picture of the left side of the receiver and mounting base

that just ruins your rifle, I would rather do without and learn to shoot like Lucus McCain, I would really just mount a small 3X9 that doesn't flood the rifle with blaaaa.

 

[AKElroy]

I would really just mount a small 3X9 that doesn't flood the rifle with blaaaa.

IMO, lever guns are about nostalgia and not just utility. I can't imagine a matt finished modern aluminum tube scope on one of mine, but nevertheless, I need to see in order to shoot. For my .02, nothing beats a vintage steel-tube Weaver K-4. Ebay & GB have several, many in excellent condition, made in El Paso, TX. Combined with Weaver steel top-mount rings, you have a high-luster blue scope & rings that nicely matches a levergun. This assumes of course a Marlin or AE 94, so you are out of luck for your top eject. Only the afformentioned hiddeous options avail themselves for your model.

 

[451 Detonics]

I would fill the scope mount holes with filler screws and JB Weld (instead of Loc-Tite) and then drill and tap for the receiver sight. After the filler screws were grond down to smooth and the holes for the sight were done I would have it reblued. You would still be able to see the old holes if you looked closely but it would look better than just about any other method.