A sweeeet weekend lever deal!

[Jahnj0584]

While doing some weekend work, I decided to check a buy sell. At first glance I assumed something was missing, but it really was for sale and complete for just a days wages. I was the 5th viewer on the ad and sent all my contact info immediately! An hour later I was driving to the city to pickup.


A 1980 Winny Mo. 94 in 30-30 (serial #500###). My first lever and my first 30-30. I've shot a pre-64 in 32sp before. Any suggestion on ammo (for deer and bear within 200y)? I assume some sort of 140gr round point or polymer tipped stuff?


Any suggestions on what to do with the patina'd receiver?

Do people usually not use slings for these? Do I need a saddle bag on my belt?

The trigger is pretty sloppy but I hear that's just a post-64 issue. I 'll look into adding a spring after some more reading into it.

Funny thing is despite how short it is, it's actually the same length as my bolt action and that was a main selling point for me.....We'll see how it shoots and go from there.

 

[450yukon]

If the serial # is between 2.7-5.1 million that won't be patina, well maybe in a sense it is. That range of 94's Winchester went cheap with parts and metal to save money from the pre64 versions. Your receiver is literally losing it's finish as they had switched to a scintered metal, pressed (forged) not molten cast as prior. What we would call bluing wouldn't work, and will turn out a purple color. Guns work fine otherwise, just keep an eye on the screw at the front of the lower receiver link, the one I had back in the 60's was always coming loose.

 

[CLW .45]

My choice of ammo for almost anything within 200 yards, in 30.30, is 150 or 170 grain.

Both do an admirable job.

 

[tiriaq]

The receivers had a plated finish. Looks as if yours is sloughing off. Don't worry about it.
If you want a sling, there are options. Easiest is a screw in stud in the butt, and a clamp on stud on the magazine tube.

 

[Claven2]

Unless it’s a marlin, a lever gun is not supposed to have a sling. Sort of like a hunting shotgun. If you need to, just sling it over your shoulder and hold the barrel in your hand.

Those sintered metal (graphitic steel) receivers were either copper plated and black chromed, or iron plated and blued. Depends on the serial number.

Some good info here: https://du-lite.com/blackening-post-64-winchester-receivers/

I don’t know if anyone in Canada refinishing these right now, apart from paint-like products such as ceramic-kote.

 

[Outdoorsman308]

Great find! For a 30-30 I also use higher gr. Like 170. My first whitetail was with a lever action 30-30 many years ago. Great gun. Have fun.

 

[Claven2]

I prefer the 170’s. At 30-30 velocities I feel the extra weight hits a little harder.

 

[Butcherbill]

You can get lucky and be successful with a reblue, I stripped and cold blued a 1975 M94 for a friend and it took bluing well enough. The first two coats looked like crap but after that they went on nice.

 

[dan belisle]

You can get lucky and be successful with a reblue, I stripped and cold blued a 1975 M94 for a friend and it took bluing well enough. The first two coats looked like crap but after that they went on nice.

Had my 75 year 94 reblued after it came out of the gun case freckled. Came out purple. - dan

 

[Butcherbill]

Had my 75 year 94 reblued after it came out of the gun case freckled. Came out purple. - dan

Definitely a hit or miss thing from what I gather, I don’t know if prep made the difference on the one I reblued but I had some serious luck lol.

Even if it came out splotchy or purple it would’ve been an improvement over what I started with.

 

[Claven2]

From 1972-1981 many will take blue, provided you don’t break through the iron plating on the receivers. The problem guns are 1964-1972, generally.

 

[Jahnj0584]

From 1972-1981 many will take blue, provided you don’t break through the iron plating on the receivers. The problem guns are 1964-1972, generally.

I guess I could re-blue the inside of the receiver to see how it reacts first eh?

 

[Butcherbill]

Try the underside or parts of the tang that are hidden in the inletting of the buttstock, no need to fully disassemble the action and it’s easier to prep and degrease the tang.

 

[tigrr]

Just keep it oiled and shoot it. It looks kinda cool like it is.