Shooting one of the oldest Winchester 94

coldmaker

coldmaker

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My father in law grabbed Win 94 in 38-55 year of make 1894, serial number 5###
So the gun turns 130 y-o this year. He found a box of Winchester 255gr ammo, and wants me to go with him to help him sight in the gun. He plans on shooting his deer with it next fall for its 130th anniversary.

I don’t know much about guns this old. Is it safe to just go and shoot? I just let the F-I-L shoot first while i stand back a few feet? LOL.

TIA
 
I have a four # (2###) that I shoot regularly but that doesnt mean every gun that age is safe to fire...have it examined by somebody competent to do so. You just never know what may have been smithed or changed over the years in a gun that old that you dont know the history of.
I would probably bet money on it being ok to fire...but not my eyes or hands/fingers...
 
“Is it safe to shoot”…?

Do you have any pictures? How can a question like that be answered without any info on the condition of the rifle?
 
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I've got a 94 in 38-55 manufactured in 1902. I brought it to a gunsmith to be assessed, I'd suggest you do the same! Or tie it to a tree, but if something goes wrong, I doubt you'd forgive yourself, lol.
 
Friend has one and for some reason the action right behind the barrel is brazed. I asked him why he even bought it and he mentioned price. I never even asked to shoot it.
 
Have it looked over by a decent gunsmith, chances are it's fine. BTW it is 1895 production. They only made 800 odd in 1894 as production began in October, 1894. Some production numbers listed online are wrong. Try winchester collectors forum, the have a place on their home page where you click on model and enter serial number and year of manufacture spits out.
I
 
Mike Webb said:
Have it looked over by a decent gunsmith, chances are it's fine. BTW it is 1895 production. They only made 800 odd in 1894 as production began in October, 1894. Some production numbers listed online are wrong. Try winchester collectors forum, the have a place on their home page where you click on model and enter serial number and year of manufacture spits out.
I
Click to expand...

According to Winchester website directly, In 1894 they built serial number 1 to 14579
https://www.winchesterguns.com/cont...ence/winchester-firearm-manufacture-dates.pdf
 
Look it over closely for flaws,cracks etc. Take it out and shoot it.
If you are worried set it in a rest and string to the trigger.
 
If memory serves the nickel steel barrels came out in 1895 with the advent of the 25-35 WCF and 30 WCF in order to handle modern smokeless powder loads. I believe the 1894 barrels were meant for black powder pressure levels of the 38-55 and 32-40. I would imagine modern 38-55 loads are loaded to the lower black powder levels for this reason. My serial number chart puts it at 1894 production as the OP stated. If it was me I would look it over carefully and give it a try if it looks good and locks up tight. If you aren’t comfortable making the assessment take it to a smith. The tie it to a tree/tire etc method is an option as well. But as DrRevenue states, you might still be pretty bummed if it blows up, even if you remain unharmed.
 
Scrub the bore with a good solvent then polish ghd chamber a bit to remove any corrosion if all looks good you will be fine
Unless there is physical sign of someone altering the action you will be fine
 
Just a freindly reminder
whenever you shoot.
May it be target or testing.
[always wear safety glasses.] period.
If i would not have weared my ray-ban shooting glasses.
When testing out an old 303.
I would be blind now. Take it from an old timer old timerlou roy
 
As I understand it you are not that knowledgable so to be safe have someone with knowledge examine it.
I would quess that most 94 Winchesters are safe. Last Fall I killed 2 deer with an 1886 Winchester made
in 1887 , with no issues.
 
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