Pre 64 Winchester 94' 38-55 Octagon opinion

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Newfoundlandrover

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I have the opportunity to pick up model 94' chambered in 38-55 for what I think is a pretty reasonable $300. Here's the thing.....it's been reblued and has had 2 inches cut off the end of the octagon barrel. I know this kills it's collector value, but the gun still looks pretty good. The wood is nice and it seems to cycle fine. An unmolested model would easily run well over a G note, so @ $300 I figure if it turns out to be a piece of crap, I could always part it out....what say you?
 
Are you a shooter or collector??? If your a shooter buy it FAST... If you were a collector, you wouldn't be asking this question... .38-55 is a whole passel of fun to load and shoot!
 
I agree, thats a great price especially if the gun is in decent shape. Having it reblued and the barrel cut wouldn't bother me a bit. I'd grab it and use it.
 
A word about collectors. I am not one, so I can't talk from personal experience. However, we all know that genuine collectors only collect genuine, unmolested original specimens in near perfect condition and any changes, including of course, refinishing, completely kills their interest in it.
But, for every such Winchester collector there are probably something like fifty, or maybe even a hundred, shooters out there who just like an old Winchester. And an old Winchester in good shootable condition is a bit of a prize for them (us!)
Another bonus is that 38-55 is an iconic moose calibre. While a Winchester in 38-55 is United States all the way, it played such an important role in early moose hunting in northern Canada, that it is often looked on as a piece of Canadian history.
Buy it while you have the chance.
 
I'll string with the boys on this one, you should buy it and run don't walk away and don't look back. A quick trip to any smith will have it recrowned and a new dovetail cut if they cut the front sight off. I'd load it with cast bullets and shoot it for years. Enjoy the new gun Jed
PS If you don't like it I'd be interested in buying it off you. j
 
Sometimes, too much is made of the "collector" value. An old rifle like this has plenty of features to attract the rest of us, as per H4831's post above. I have been buying guns for over 50 years, leaning heavily to military surplus. I buy what I like and what I want, not what other people think I should buy.

I would scoop that 38-55 in a heartbeat. I understand the true "collector" and his/her concern for correctness, etc.. Their collections are often fantastic, to say the least. I also appreciate the joy of owning a certain firearm, even though it may not be pristine, unissued, rare, unique and so on.

I enjoy all my old lamp stands. I enjoy shooting them. I enjoy showing them to others. The 38-55 in question would get me cranked, especially at $300. :)
 
how long would the barrel be now? I think my 375BB Is 20inch , I shoot it like a 38-55, lower velocities but man o man.. penetration & a hell of a thumper.

wl
 
I can fully appreciate the collector rifles, the value, and the correctness of them, own a few myself. Wish I could own more! I really have a hard time not using them and enjoy doing so :D

Sometimes for me though a well used rifle holds just as much value if not more. This one was owned by one of my neighbors(a bit of a local legend) and is now owned by his son, a friend of mine. All collector value is gone in so many ways but it doesn't really matter now. I have seen the pictures of where this rifle has been and the things it has taken. If he would sell it to me along with copies of those photos I would buy it in a heartbeat! Price wouldn't matter much within reason....



 
crazy_davey said:
Pretty sure it is a Lyman model 21 sight.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a 21. The 38 had windage. Think I mentioned it one other time, but that is a cool looking 94. Love the look of a 94 with a short barrel and have always been a fan of the Climbin' Lyman.

OP: 38-55 is one of my favorites. You just can't go wrong.

Matt
 
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