Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Best place to look for a model 94

So once I get past Christmas I want to pick up a Win 94 30-30. Not looking for a collector, doesn’t need to be pre 64. Just want a solid one to slap a peep site on and hunt/plink with. Any pointers for where to look for one and what things to watch out for?

armslist is the best place I have seen. the guns seem more common in the great lakes area. OR actually I have seen some great prices on some really nice pre 64's right here in the classifieds. for some reason where I live, which is where the gun was invented they are pretty darn rare around here and not easily found. I just picked up a 1956 model 94, its a decent gun with some thinning of the bluing in the usual spots. some scratches here and there. the main downside is the 4 extra screw holes on the left side of the reciever although they don't look too bubba'd. extra holes is a downside to the value. I paid $450 for mine, I have seen 2 guns that were quite a bit nicer, no extra holes, better blueing and screws that hadn't been taken out with a leatherman like mine have been. just overall quite a bit nicer, go for $550 ish. right here on the fire, IMO I think they were better values than I paid for mine. YES more money but quite a bit nicer guns. The pre 64's bring about $150 to 250 more. the post 64's I think are easier to find in better shape.

lastly I would say this. there is a reason theses are the most common rifles built. They are super fun to just plink and shoot with. I also think the pre 64's have a soul to them and defiantly are worth the extra money. I don't plan to deer hunt with mine, just plink, shoot jackrabbits and various vermin with it. kill some rocks and just enjoy it for what it is, a good ole american rifle.

I shortly owned a nice post 64 that had been cerakoted, wood was worn but not abused. Things got tight and I had to sell it, bought it here actually for a song since the metal had been refinished. I’ll probably post a WTB add here and cruise the auction sites, haven’t used Armslist yet, I’ll have to check it out.

to me the secret sauce is just the original rifle as they came. buckhorn sights and all. I wouldn't have liked a cerkoted version.

You leave a lot on the table with OEM sights. I prefer a good peep/post.

Longest shot for me with this rifle is 236 yards.

I bought it when I was 13 years old with paper-route money, still have it and use it every year.

'70 model with Williams FP/Ashley front sight. Ashley wasn't on it when the pic was taken.

The Ashley Emerson XS front post is my favorite front sight for any lever gun. I prefer their ghost ring rear too but can rock a Williams FP if needed.

Matt, you must get the Win 94 444

Own a timber shadow 94 in 444 (synthetic stock and forearm) damn thing was the worst kicking gun I’ve ever had, and I’m very used to 45/70 from a 1895g. That gun didn’t last one season at my house just painful to shoot. Some stock designs just don’t fit.

Use your head when shopping there, a ton of scams. I won't buy anything there unless it's face to face or a reputable dealer.

Why not consider a new Mossberg 464? I purchased my carbine through Davidson's Gallery of Guns website. My Mossberg features a pistol grip with curved lever, gray laminated stock, and a 16 inch barrel. The design is a copy of Winchester's angle-eject for easy scope mounting. Never experienced feeding or extraction issues. My Mossberg consistently shoots 1.5 to 2 inch groups at 100 yards no matter the brand of ammo or bullet weight. I've downed several Florida wild hogs with this outfit and none got away. 30-30 is a keeper!

Sherwood

I’d rather the straight grip. Vic’s 94 is about exactly what setup I’m after, not the first time we’ve had very similar taste.

It’s a rare used rack that doesn’t have a 94 in it more often than not.

A couple pawn shops and a couple gun shows should turn one up pretty quick. Or a WTB add here on the Fire.

Matt, the only other thing I'm eventually going to change on my 94 is an RPP medium loop lever, it just makes it so much easier to get my hand in the lever with gloves, which are something I consider useful in the winter.

I put an RPP on my Guide gun, love it! Just the right size.

Vic I have their hammer spur on my 1895ABL, I want to try out their loading gate and trigger. I follow them on Instagram they are really putting out some great products.

Yes, they made millions so they are commonly found. Check out lgs, gun shows, GB, pawn shops, especially after the Holidays, when bills and taxes are due. I would prefer a pre-64, but the post-64’s are serviceable. And I prefer the peep.

I can sell you a 1947 flatband 30-30 for $700 shipped

I'd look in several WEB sites, but I have been taken by poor quality a few times. The best place for buying guns is a gun show, I think.

Some people like the buckhorn sights. I throw them away (they are worth about $.01 per lb.) and replace with Lyman steel aperture sights.