Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Pre or post model 94's?

Which do you prefer? Does it matter? I've owned both and have had less problems with pre 64's so that's my preference. But I've had some good Post models too

I've had both. They can both shoot good but the pre 64's are better built in many ways. They also carry a little nicer in the hand due the chamfered/rounded edges on the bottom of the receiver vs the sharp edges on the post 64's. Needless to say I prefer the pre 64.

I have both and much prefer the pre 64.

Yeah the receiver edges are a big factor for me too because I like to carry the gun in my hand

I own both, prefer pre-64.

BOTH the 94 and 70 had been in a gradual quality decline ever since WW-2. The model 70 was redesigned in 1964 and probably should have been renamed something else. There is a clearly defined point where the model 70 changed. The change to the 94 was more gradual. I don't think the Pre-64 dividing line is nearly as important with the 94. But certainly, by the 1970's it wasn't the rifle it was in the 1950's or earlier.

My 94 was made in 1958 and is a nice rifle, and I doubt a 1965 or 66 would be considerably worse. But the ones I've seen from the 1970's can be pretty bad. The ones made in the 1980s and early 90's were much better before quality started to slide again.

That's completely wrong. The 64 - 68 model 94's were the worst. After that they started making changes for the better. Did away with the sheet metal lifters, went back to using real walnut instead of stained birch, went to a better plating and bluing process on the receivers. By the mid '70's they were much improved.

Pre is nicer than post, but the post guns are every bit as accurate and reliable. Mine is 1927 and she's a beauty.

Yup. The mid to late 60's guns were as bad as it got. The 70's examples were much better

Yeah, that’s the truth. By the mid 70s they were pretty good. Pre 64 is still better but they were quality rifles by the mid 70s. I have an early Post 64 and while it is a very accurate rifle, it feels like a toy. Stamped roll pins and lifter and a crappy loading gate. It works and shoots well, but it is far less satisfying than a 1976 I have.

I prefer the pre-64s. I had a couple post-64s but they felt clunky compared to the pre's. One of the post models would jam up quite frequently letting a cartridge slip under the carrier if not cycled quickly with authority.

Cartridge stop needed replaced. They say it's not a difficult fix

As mentioned, the pre 64’s have a more rounded receiver, which makes carrying in the hand more pleasant. They became less round as the years progressed. A flatband I have is more rounded than a pre 64 from the 50’s. Not sure why they kept making them less contoured unless it was for cost savings. As a functional item, the post 64’s seem to run about as well as the ore 64’s, even if they don’t feel as smooth while doing it. I’ve never messed with the very early post 65’s, I’ve heard they can have some issues.

Among the post-64 models, I prefer the early AEs without the safety. Nicely made, with the half-cock still present. I see them for sale now and then, but I need fewer guns, hunting rifles in particular, not more.

I had a Ranger in 30-30 that literally shot like a good bolt action sporter. I did not like all the square edges on the top and bottom of the receiver; it just didn't feel like a 94 in the hand anymore.

What I really want is an old long forend pre-war 94. Taylor's imports a very nice reproduction with ladder sights, for about the going rate for new Marlins etc.

Pre64 M94’s look and feel better

Truth

tmitch that prob. on the 94 is an easy fix

I have one the earliest made in 1964, that I bought just a 1 1/2 year ago because it was so clean. It's about stolen my heart from my model 64 for my favorite! Guarantee it would do the same to any 94 lover! Probably mostly pre64 parts, IDK?. It shoots everything I put in it more accurate than the iron sights can prove, functions flawlessly. I must admit I started not to buy it because of the post 64 hype, knowing by Ser# what it was. Love this rifle! I believe a good portion of the pist 64 hype is talk, too many who swear by their post 64's, just my opinion!
One thing I learned for sure from my dad in 60's & 70's. He was a Winchester shotgun nut, squirrel hunter lifetime. He had Mod 12's, Mod 10, Mod 50, few others including Browning. He swore by his Mod 1400 he got in 1966, drug it all over 2 states. He said you can't do nothing hurt it! He packed that gun solely for about 14 years, finally finished with his Mod 50 later years, just because me and a brother gave it to him. His all time favorite was the 1400!

Post 63 guys always think it's hype until they try a pre 64. The difference in quality quickly jumps out at you. But the later angle eject guns are very good