Winchester 94

[kriller134]

So I just saw a 1965 model 94 at a lgs for 395 plus tax and dros. I almost impulse bought it, but thought I'd get advice here first. The receiver is in rough shape. It's discolored and has what I would call a dull brass color to it (I'm color blind). The wood has scratches and dings. And last it seems like it rattles a lot especially when is the is down with the bolt open. So should I get it?

[Freedom_shooter]

Post '64 is generally considered as inferior as they changed the way their receivers are made and material. They did this to get costs lower. They got it better in the 70's because people complained enough. I'd stay away from it and get a pre '64 or a post '75 maybe if it looked good.

[kriller134]

Post '64 is generally considered as inferior as they changed the way their receivers are made and material. They did this to get costs lower. They got it better in the 70's because people complained enough. I'd stay away from it and get a pre '64 or a post '75 maybe if it looked good.

Thank you for the reply. Now I'm definitely going to stay away from it. I was already on the fence for the soul reason they wanted to charge me 35 bucks for dros.

[Milsurp Collector]

The receiver is in rough shape. It's discolored and has what I would call a dull brass color to it (I'm color blind).

Does it look like this?



If it does it is a Winchester Model 94 Antique Carbine and it is supposed to look like that. They were made between 1964 and 1983.

[kriller134]

Does it look like this?



If it does it is a Winchester Model 94 Antique Carbine and it is supposed to look like that. They were made between 1964 and 1983.

It kind of looks like that, but not that nice and consistent and there aren't any engravings on it. Half of the receiver has decent bluing and the other half has the bluing missing.

[Freedom_shooter]

Winchester 94

Does it look like this?







If it does it is a Winchester Model 94 Antique Carbine and it is supposed to look like that. They were made between 1964 and 1983.

So glad to see you provide awesome information-that I otherwise- would've had no clue on!

[Milsurp Collector]

It kind of looks like that, but not that nice and consistent and there aren't any engravings on it. Half of the receiver has decent bluing and the other half has the bluing missing.

When you said it has a dull brass color the Model 94 Antique Carbine is what I thought of.

As Freedom_shooter said around the time that rifle was made Winchester had changed to a cast receiver that didn't take bluing well. Then they changed their manufacturing technique to improve the finish.

Post 64's have a receiver that would not take blueing properly and cannot be re-blued ! They take on a "mottled apperance ! I just bought one that had 10 rounds thru it for $300.00 delivered in Nov . The rest of the gun looks like new but the receiver has a "distinct look to it !

There were several changes to the 94 Winchester over the years but the biggest single change took place in 1964. Up to then the 94s all had milled steel receivers and milled and machined internal parts. In 1964 Winchester changed the design to use a cast metal receiver that would not take a blued finish and had mostly stamped metal internal parts. These first post 64 guns had hard black chrome plated receivers and had really rough feeling actions (I know because I bought a new one in 1965). A couple of years later Winchester changed the design again to use investment cast internal parts and they started plating the receivers with a material that would take a blue finish. This finish is not too durable and is next to impossible to reblue to any good degree.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?104966-Pre-and-Post-64-Model-94-s

[kriller134]

thanks milsurp for the detailed posts. I will be avoiding this rifle.

[Capybara]

Just to give you a bar for what's out there as far as condition and price, I picked up this 1952 Model '94 at a Pawn Shop in Kingman, Az for $400.00.



Not great condition but good, honest wear and character.

[brianm767]

Just to give you a bar for what's out there as far as condition and price, I picked up this 1952 Model '94 at a Pawn Shop in Kingman, Az for $400.00.



Not great condition but good, honest wear and character.

Nice rifle and a steal at that price, Id say decent Pre 64 run $650 and up, seems to be the norm, nice Post 64, Id pay $350-$400 if I really wanted it,