Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Winchester 94 questions

Bought my first ever 94 (.30-.30, c. 1978) at a show this weekend (don't ask me why; too many Roy Rogers movies, maybe?) and I've got some questions: Are all 94's this loosey-goosey? I understand the hold-the-lever-up safety thing, but is it normal for the trigger to have a lot of front-to-pull-point play, and for the lever to have some side-to-side play and seem fairly loose? My Savage 99 seems incredibly tight by comparison, so I'm wondering if this is normal of if I need to get this gun to a smith? Thanks in advance.

Ooops, sounds like you got a "well worn" model, they are not as tight as the good Savages, they ain't supposed to be that loose either.

I just ran a quick "loosey-goosey" check on two '94's and a '99. For being loose, the '94's win it hands down. I've just always assumed that once they were worn in that's the way they are. The only "trigger play" in them is with the barrel tipped down. Just built in free play as far as I know. Looks like about three eights to a half inch. You are right about the '99 too. Really tight by comparison.

Wish I could be more descriptive. but, these two are shooters and I've got no worries about them being safe.

OOOH THOSE WINCHESTERS ARE JUST GREAT. ESPECIALLY IF PARED WITH THEIR PARDNER, A "COLT" .45 S.A.A. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

TO MANY COWBOY SHOWS, TOO.

PROSPECTOR

Thanks, folks! I'll try to be a little more specific. Not much side-to-side play on the lever; when the action's fully open, maybe 1/4 to 3/8" total at the end of the lever, side to side. When you pull the action shut, there's about 1 to 2/16" free play before the lever engages the pin allowing the rifle to fire, and maybe 1/4" +/- at the end of the lever, side to side, at that point. The trigger is what freaked me out: from the point where the trigger is held at "pull", there is about 1/4" free play forward, like it just wags loose there! I've never had a gun with a "loose" trigger like that before, and I thought maybe there's a spring missing or something?

F2F,I just went and pulled my "new" 1953 model 94 out of the safe. This gun has never had a full box of ammo through it. It belonged to my late father-in-law from the time it was purchased new until I recieved it several years ago. Father-in -law did not use this gun just let it sit in closet with original box of ammo. I have owned many 94's and handled even more ove the years i have been either in the sporting goods busness or messing with guns. All 94's have a floppy trigger, moves about 1/4" fore and aft. The lever on my "new 94" is a little sloppy, when I compare to an old 94 rifle I have in 25-35 there is a lot more slop. The old gun works just fine and in fact is smoother and eaiser to operate than the "new"94. That said, after WINCHESTER reworked the 94 was using drift pins rather than screws and the lever was not contoured like the older guns, some of the side to side loosness in the lever seems to have gone away. Try and find a pre-64 so to speak 94 and cycle that action. They were very nice. There is nothing particular wrong with your 94 Winchester just was trying to save some bucks in the manufacturing of the gun. With all of the monkey motion involved in a lever action like the 94's internal workings there will be some slop. If you can hold a 3-5" at a 100 yards you got a good one. No slander of the Win. thats just the way it is.

HAPPY TRAILS, YIPPIE-KY -YEA

BULLWNKL.

Thanks, Bull and all. Guess I'll go put some rounds through this old dog, and quite worryin' about it!

You started out on the right path but you got lost! Next gun show, trade it in on another 99! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just couldn't pass that up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />,
Rick....

Thanks, Rick; probably a good suggestion!

Winchester 94's are not, nor ever have been in the same league as 99 Savages. The only similarity is the lever action. To even begin to compare the two isn't fair at all. Yes, '94's will appear "loose" in comparison.
The pre '64 Winchesters have a finesse all their own in comparison to the post 64 guns. The early post '64 guns were so sloppy that it's a wonder anyone bothered to buy them.(I'm currently working on one that has reportedly never worked properly) By the late 70's they were beginning to struggle back to decently built rifles. I suppose there are 94's that wouldn't group better than 5" at 100 yards, but in my experience that's pretty miserable for even the much maligned '94. 2-3" is more what I expect with ammo it favors and that is well within the parameters of what most deer hunters need.(a receiver sight tends to improve accuracy considerably) Don't rush to dismiss the old '94. An average one is not a bad tool to own, and an exceptional one is a joy to use. Until you've seriously burned about 200 rounds of ammo through a '94 at various ranges up to 200 yards; you haven't had enough trigger time to either love or hate the little rifles with any real fairness. I figure if you give them an honest workout you'll end up a "cowboy" for sure....AW

i am with aw on this one: do not dismiss the little 94. properly tuned and using ammo it likes, the 94 can hold its own up to 200 yards on whitetails. sub-2-inch groups should be the norm with a good, scoped example. handloads can really make the 94 talk. the .30-30 is not to be sniffed at for hand-loading.

What are the best factory loads to use?

you'uns gots to try 'em.

i'd get a box each of rem 150 and 170, win 150 and 170, maybe hornady 150 and 170. the win stuff probably will be a little quicker.

your rifle more than likely will really like one brand and one weight, but you can tell only from a bench.

with iron sights, shoot at 50 yards; with a scope 100 yards.

get sam fadala's book on the model 94 and learn how to tune your carbine, too.