Winchester Model 94

[Armory]

Never owned a lever action rifle before. Just picked up a Mod.94, know
nothing about them. It appears to be in perfect condition, obviously no
issues. Does anyone have any input on a new(ish), U.S. Repeating Arms,
Model 94,30-30. Only gave 150 bucks for it, there must be issues or bitches.

 

[AKElroy]

I have two & use them quite a bit. The only issue I have encountered is the rare failure to feed caused by shucking rounds with the receiver less than verticle. That factory trigger is pretty rough & heavy, and it is not easy to smooth or lighten. Don't dry fire it; I have replaced 1 firing pin already.

You will find it much easier to load if you leave each loaded round as far forward as possible without the gate closing and then push them home with the next round.

Enjoy it; awesome gun. You will find it is more accurate than people give it credit for. I stick w/ cheap remmy corelocks; 150 or 170 gr. Walmart has these for $13.00 per box.

 

[Kman]

Great rifle design thats been around a long time, $150 is a steal if it's in good shape.

 

[bpl]

I really like the M94 as a woods rifle using iron sights. Its light, carrys and points great and kills deer dead! Is yours a top eject of angle eject? Manual safety? Either way, great rifle for a great price. Enjoy!

 

[Sunray]

Don't like 'em myself. One of my first rifles was a Win 94, long before there was such a thing as USRAC. Found the felt recoil to be excessive for the power of the cartridge.
USRAC was a Wincester employee owned company that went bankrupt in 1989. Taken over by FN in 1989. Mind you, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your rifle.
$150 isn't even a little ugly for one.
"...Don't dry fire it; I have replaced 1 firing pin already..." Something isn't right with your rifle. Dry firing shouldn't bother it in the least.

 

[skiking]

I love the 94s, just don't scope it. If it is in good shape I am jealous that you only paid 150.

 

[NWCP]

I've owned one in 30-30 and another in .32WS. They are both great brush guns. You got a killer deal assuming there's nothing wrong with the rifle. Enjoy!

 

[Geno]

The Model 94 has always been one of my favorites! The only reason I walk past the 94 shelf on most gun store visits is that "Bubba" seems to have owned a majority of the finest remaining 94s on the market.

The M94 was never intended to sport a muzzle break, a recoil reducer in the stock, or be drilled and tapped for a 12-42 Nightforce scope. It never should have the magazine tube drilled and tapped for a picatinny rail so it can have a bi-pod, and for the love of Pete, stop bending the lever to imitate a "pistol grip". Oh, man, how to forget the one that had the barrel drilled and tapped for n EER scope way up front?!

The model 1984 is made to be shot as is, humble little hunter that it is. Iron sights work great, and it doesn't much have the power or trajectory to reach (reasonable) beyond about 200 yards any how. I hope, some day and with the help of a team of psychologists, to get beyond the night-terrors at having seen so many "Bubba'ed-up" model 1984s. I will simply say thank-goodness I have never yet seen a model 1984 will "night sights". That would be my humanly end.

This is my latest acquisition in M1894 (1951, Model 94, 32 Win Spec):

Geno

View attachment 466978

View attachment 466979

 

[deadeyedog270]

I love my Winchester Model 94, 30-30 it is a nice solid rifle
my only problem with it is because I am a lefty and have gotten a hot shell in the forhead but i still love the gun never had a bad shot with it

 

[SaxonPig]

Well, they've been made for over 100 years so there must be something good about them.

You got a great deal.

Flat shape for easy storage and packing.

Fast handling, lightweight and compact.

Not target grade for long range shooting but at modest ranges it will do most things you need a medium power CF rifle to do.

I like both of mine.

 

[phinfan]

It's kind of weird how times have changed my tastes. When I was a little boy, I loved lever action rifles (like the "Rifleman"), and the single action pistols.

When I got older, and started to collect real guns, those guns did not appeal to me at all. Well, I have done a complete 360 now, and I am completely into the single action revolvers, and really want a Winchester 94, nice guns guys...

 

[bpl]

Found the felt recoil to be excessive for the power of the cartridge.

Seriously? Its a 30-30, recoil doesn't get much lighter than a 30-30 for a deer cartridge. Maybe .243 might be slightly less. I shoot mine in a t-shirt in the back yard and I'm not a big fan of recoil.

 

[Wishoot]

If that gun goes "BANG", then you got one hell of a deal for $150. Congrats on owning one fine firearm.

 

[paducahrider]

Howdy!
The 94 is just a great piece of Americana. It is easy to pack, due to it's slim action, and is instinctive in its handling and operation. They can be reasonably accurate, but are generally used as brush guns, reducing the need for moa accuracy. I've seen deer taken with old 94s that didnt have any sights on them at all. The worst comment I have pertains to the open-topped action, which allows more dirt into the it than it's main competitors, the Marlin models 94 and 336. It also makes problems in mounting a scope.
All in all, there's not a much better feeling that I associate with a gun, than cycling a slicked-up Winchester 94.
It's stood the test of time and came out shining.
Enjoy it.
It was built to shoot.
Thanks for your time.

 

[W.E.G.]

Now you need $150 worth of ammo!

 

[AKElroy]

Found the felt recoil to be excessive for the power of the cartridge.

I hear this a lot, but for some reason I enjoy shooting my 94's more than any other rifles I own, and I have several. The shove & bark is unique; just nothing else like it. You mention that "for the power of the cartrige", suggesting it lacks power. It is a pretty stout little number, with ballistics nearly identical to the 7.62 X39. Don't let a lack of downrange energy lull you into thinking is lacks thump; that is due to no spitzers allowed in the tube.

 

[Nick5182]

I've got a 94 .30-30 made in 2003, and I bought it NIB for about 275 (before tax), and it's just a fantastic rifle. I have to say that the action definitely is not as smooth as a Marlin, but it is on par with the Marlin accuracy-wise. It's one of those guns that I know I'll never give up. I just love it.

As for recoil, my 94 doesn't bother me in the least, although a buddy of mine prefers his CETME .308 over my 94.