If You HAD to Scope a 94.....

dak47

dak47

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I'm kidding myself to hunt with irons, in perfect conditions on the bench it's a challenge never mind in dim timber. I realize I'm wrecking the lines of a 94 but I want to utilize a couple nice ones I have.
Leaning towards a Leupold 3i 1.5 x 5 by 20mm, thoughts? Other suggestions (besides don't), it's a 7-30 Waters chambering for the one I most want get into the field ......
 
Don't let anyone dissuade you from "scoping" a lever gun if you need it, I've done several, mostly using "home-built" mounting systems that, while looking unorthodox (usually because they are old "collector" vintage rifles that I don't want to mess with "originality" in any way),they work.
The one thing that you might not think of when scoping a lever gun is that, because of the low angle of the tang/butt stock to the top of the receiver. once you get a scope mounted, your sight line will be considerably higher than the original iron sights. Your cheek position/weld will be considerably higher on the butt stock...not an insurmountable problem but it will affect your shooting accuracy if you don't adjust to the fact that you can't "really snuggle up to" your butt stock like before.

The change in "posturing" is identical too long range shooting with a vernier tang sight if you have ever done any of that, the higher your vernier gets, the higher your cheek is on the butt stock....long range vernier shooters have been proving that it can be done.

The last 1/2 dozen lever guns I scoped this past winter (with Red Dots) all have cheek risers built for them for this reason...not compulsory, just makes it easier...
 
If you have a "conventional" 94, it will eject fired cartridges more or less straight up - can not have a scope there. There are/were "angle eject" versions? Also, I did one up in late 1970's - Weaver side mount - had "normal" 1" scope off-set to left of bore line to allow cartridges to eject, by turning the scope 90 degrees - elevation turret becomes windage on left side. Or, get an IER (Intermediate Eye Relief) Scout scope and mount it ahead of the receiver.

I will second the above comment about aperture sights - never used them until I was approaching my 60's - have them on several rifles now - a 10/22, a 1955 Win 94 and a 1926 Rem 30 - well worth learning to use.
 
If I had to, and I’ve had to, I prefer the XS scout mount, and a scout style scope. Pearson also makes a scout style mount for the 94. Both are good. Both don’t require modifying the rifle.
 
If I had to, I wouldn’t do it. I’d move on to another gun. They aren’t meant to be scoped imho. I’d try the peep before I bastardized a 94 with a scope.
 
Both my rifle & carbine angle eject 7 X 30's are factory D&T from factory for top mounted scope. No one would know the difference once season was over and scopes removed.
Not like he's drilling 3- 5/16 holes in a pristine receiver.
 
Yes A/E predrilled receiver, somebodies 1990 safe queen that is about to get a rude awakening under the new management ...... LOL. Just my eyes ain't what they used to be.

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Angle eject is pretty straight forward... Weaver makes bases and just use regular weaver rings. Since you say you can't see the irons anyway, keep the scope down low.

I would suggest looking at a fixed power Leupold 2.5x... very compact and lightweight scope.

The old top eject model can be scoped too with a side mount. One screw replaces the lever pin retaining screw ( can't think of the proper name at the moment) and the rear of the base screws into the holes drilled and tapped for receiver sights. It's a very awkward setup to use, for a right hander- worked much better for my left-handed brother. He just had to tilt his head a little farther over the comb.
 
I get it. My eyesight is deteriorating too, and I have some M94's that I would like to see in the field again, including a 7-30 Waters. I hit on another solution that works for me.. I just let my kids and younger partners use them and I stick with scoped bolt action rifles. I scoped a couple 94 AE's, but it was disturbingly wrong... in anesthetics and handling. My scoped lever action shooting is done with BLR's now. Marlin is another option. Perhaps the ergonomics won't bother you, in which case, I would stick with a straight tube scope like the Leupold VX 1-4X20, 2.5X20, 1.5-5X20... the smaller, lighter and more streamlined the better.
 
Last edited:
KePet said:
If I had to, and I’ve had to, I prefer the XS scout mount, and a scout style scope. Pearson also makes a scout style mount for the 94. Both are good. Both don’t require modifying the rifle.
Click to expand...

In addition to above, the XS scout mount is meant for 94AE models (or D&T of top eject) and should be bedded.

The Pearson scout mount works on both styles. Very cost efficient, stable.

There is also an Amega Ranges scount mount which I've never personally seen and relies on dovetail block and replacement fore-end band. Not sure how reliable this is given limited adjustment, contact over short length(and arguably on the wrong side) but I have used other Amega Ranges and found their product quality was very good but no experience with this mount however.
 
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