Winchester 1894
- Thread starter Audet
- Start date
No expert by any means, but I'm thinking it's going to be 400-800ish price wise. Depends upon the caliber. 30-30 , 32 spec, 38-55 there are lots to pick from
I'd think 30-30 would be a good starter gun, it works good and is probably going to be the most affordable. From there the prices ( and the cool factor) will go up.
I paid 300 $ for my 38-55 , but I got it from a family member.
It's pretty neat, but I think the 30-30 is a better caliber. You can pick up a box of shells at the hardware store and the gun will perform well. Box of low-powered winchester shells for 38-55 is 50$; if you can find them
Some-one is bound to disagree with this statement, fine it's just my opinion.
Good luck
I'd think 30-30 would be a good starter gun, it works good and is probably going to be the most affordable. From there the prices ( and the cool factor) will go up.
I paid 300 $ for my 38-55 , but I got it from a family member.
It's pretty neat, but I think the 30-30 is a better caliber. You can pick up a box of shells at the hardware store and the gun will perform well. Box of low-powered winchester shells for 38-55 is 50$; if you can find them
Some-one is bound to disagree with this statement, fine it's just my opinion.
Good luck
tokguy...You are not far off in that regards, the 38-55 is pretty weak and expensive ammo to buy or even find.
Keep an eye on the Exchange and shop around.
There have been a few pre-64 30-30 carbine come up for sale recently.
Cheer
Keep an eye on the Exchange and shop around.
There have been a few pre-64 30-30 carbine come up for sale recently.
Cheer
Yep - winchester 94 carbine in 30-30. They're plentiful, can be had for under $400, and often $300. Pre 1964 and post 1975 (1980 to be safe) guns are better owing to their manufacturing quality. Not to say post 64 guns are all that much worse, there are just things to be aware of, especially if it's your first win 94.
The 3030 in a carbine is very accurate at 100 yards and still has power at 150 if you're good enough to accurately shoot that far with a carbine. Has light recoil and points very nicely.
The 3030 in a carbine is very accurate at 100 yards and still has power at 150 if you're good enough to accurately shoot that far with a carbine. Has light recoil and points very nicely.
From a collecting standpoint, i believe that the pre 64s in cals. other then 30/30 will be rarer and my appreciate in value more. Any of the larger/older cals. can be just as effective as the 30/30 if you reload, in fact some bigger cals. are more cast bullet friendly and may be less expensive to reload then the 30/30. Except for the real old '94s the price is very reasonable for this classic rifle and everyone should have at least one!!!
This is my favourite Model 94. A 26" round barrel rifle in .30WCF from 1927. My constant companion on many outdoor adventures, it has killed several deer, numerous raccoons, a few wasp nests, plus several rocks, etc. It has never let me down! Interestingly, it appears that Winchester simply removed the "18" from the die when the 1894 became the 94. The stamping is identical, there is a blank space where the "18" would be. I would pick the .30WCF first, followed by the .38-55, then the .32WS. .32-40 is a pretty wimpy round, and the .25-35 is a bit light for travel in bear country.
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Bittermansbro
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I started the same way, 'started' being the optimal word. Got a nice 1916 94 in 30WCF, eventually had to have all the 94 calibres, and now prefer to use 38-55 for most of my hunting, although 32WS is definitely a good round IMHO and more 'modernish'.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
that is the truth!personally I prefer the Savage lever design,pre mil specifically,for what I believe are obvious reasons...
but I do own a pre '64 '94 in dirty 30 that would be mint if some clown hadn't carved his initials into the forestock ahead of the barrel band...it's a dandy little iron and a shooter to boot.
There is just something about ol' Winnie
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
The caliber is right but the question comes up if you want a rifle or carbine. I like the rifles more as they seem a more "western" hunting configuration. The carbines are good ( cowboy movieish) as they are lighter to carry, but the sight picture is shorter and recoil felt a bit more. the carbines are aplenty whereas the rifles are sparce. I own a few rifles both round and octagon barreled and enjoy ringing the 200 yard gong at our range. The 38-55 caliber was developed for target shooting but can be an effective large game cal. too.
the 25-35 I have is a delight to shoot and was a large game cal in its time. I would not say...look for the cheapest you can find...cheaper can mean worn out, but look for the character of the gun, Imagine the history it has seen , My 1906 rifles see the bush each year and have put down their fair share. Not much "blue"...but they shoot "true"... I can only imagine what they have seen and done....
Whatever you chose....just enjoy the freedom of shooting....
the 25-35 I have is a delight to shoot and was a large game cal in its time. I would not say...look for the cheapest you can find...cheaper can mean worn out, but look for the character of the gun, Imagine the history it has seen , My 1906 rifles see the bush each year and have put down their fair share. Not much "blue"...but they shoot "true"... I can only imagine what they have seen and done....
Whatever you chose....just enjoy the freedom of shooting....
Regarding calibers, the 38-55 is the most desirable as far as collector's value goes. If you reload, I would recommend a 38-55. Modern factory ammo is a joke, far less powerful than the standard HV 38-55 factory ammo sold for most of the 1900's, which put a 255 grain bullet out the barrel at 1,600 fps. I reload my own and find that 1,500 fps is plenty to give complete penetration on deer.
With regard to collectable, make sure the wood has never been sanded (wood should be at least flush with the metal and preferably proud of the metal) and make sure it has never been re-blued. Either will pretty much wipe out the collectors value, although they would still have shooters value and nostalgic value.
If you do not reload, then the 30-30 is your best choice (early Winchesters were marked '30 WCF', which is the same as '30-30'.
Regarding rarity, for the 38-55, saddle ring carbines are hardest to find and rifles much easier to find. It is the opposite for the 30-30. Both are great calibers; I own and reload for both.
With regard to collectable, make sure the wood has never been sanded (wood should be at least flush with the metal and preferably proud of the metal) and make sure it has never been re-blued. Either will pretty much wipe out the collectors value, although they would still have shooters value and nostalgic value.
If you do not reload, then the 30-30 is your best choice (early Winchesters were marked '30 WCF', which is the same as '30-30'.
Regarding rarity, for the 38-55, saddle ring carbines are hardest to find and rifles much easier to find. It is the opposite for the 30-30. Both are great calibers; I own and reload for both.
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
I reload for all my Winnie calibers....25-20, 25-35, 30-30, 32 special, 38-55 and 45-70.There are many more calibers but I have to limit the calibers I want.. I developed a load that seems to suit each caliber. Factory ammo does not come close to the loads that the guns like.
the 38-55 Saddle rings are rare and I do have a 1909 model after a couple years of searching.. Fun to shoot and easy to reload for.
the 38-55 Saddle rings are rare and I do have a 1909 model after a couple years of searching.. Fun to shoot and easy to reload for.
Audet, here are a few 94s that I have available. If any interest, you can PM me for prices and further information.
Top to bottom, .38-55 rifle; .30-30 rifle; .30-30 SRC; .30-30 SRC; .38-55 SRC
Top to bottom, .32-40 SRC; .32Spl, pre 64 Carbine; .30-30, pre 64 Carbine; .32sp, pre64 Carbine
Road King
Top to bottom, .38-55 rifle; .30-30 rifle; .30-30 SRC; .30-30 SRC; .38-55 SRC
Top to bottom, .32-40 SRC; .32Spl, pre 64 Carbine; .30-30, pre 64 Carbine; .32sp, pre64 Carbine
Road King
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