Winchester Model 94 Pre '64 Range Test. My Very First Gun!

Segue2002

Segue2002

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I got this gun around 10 years ago. First one I bought after getting my PAL. It's got some good history to it, and I thought I'd do a range test to show it off a bit. Check it out and let me know what you think. These are a great rifle chambered in Winchester 32 Special.

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Fun video, but I must say you are WAY in the minority in wishing the pre-64 Winchester 94 had a cross-bolt safety. If fact you are the first person I have ever heard express that desire. Ever.

I look for early 92's and 94's specifically to avoid a cross-bolt safety. On Marlins, I remove the cross-bolt safety the day of purchase and pul a machined filler in its place.

The half-#### safety served everyone very well from it's broad introduction in the Winchester 1866 yellow boy through to the more modern Marlin 336C, and virtually every lever gun in between. It's mechanically sound and "slipping" as you put it would only ever be an issue if you were practising poor muzzle discipline.

The cross-bolt, on the other hand, still allows the hammer to drop onto the cross-bolt stop when you pull the trigger. This makes a very audibly CLACK sound that will spook that prize buck if you accidentally applied your lawyer safety. Better to simply not have it and thumb the hammer back before firing.

YMMV, but remember, these are working meat guns, not fancy range toys like a Colt AR.
 
Lol, I guess I never realized the hatred for a cross bolt safty. True while hunting you want to be as quiet as possible. I just always felt like a half #### was less safe than something blocking the trigger or firing pin from moving.
 
On a half-#### lever system, the sear is completely enclosed by the half #### spur on the hammer. There's no way for the hammer to drop unless it physically breaks - which is true of any safety. YMMV.
 
- At the bench, you will get much better results shooting off sand bags than your elbows ......... MUCH!

- The bullets used in rifles with tubular magazines such as your 32 SP and the 30/30 etc are round or flat nosed to protect from the bullet igniting the primer in the cartridge ahead of it in the magazine will firing.

- MUCH! :cool:
 
SuperCub said:
- At the bench, you will get much better results shooting off sand bags than your elbows ......... MUCH!

- The bullets used in rifles with tubular magazines such as your 32 SP and the 30/30 etc are round or flat nosed to protect from the bullet igniting the primer in the cartridge ahead of it in the magazine will firing.



- MUCH! :cool:
Click to expand...

I will have to try the sandbag trick for sure. Thanks.
 
Segue2002 said:
I will have to try the sandbag trick for sure. Thanks.
Click to expand...
It's no trick! It works every time. ..... You need some under the forend and butt end as well and watch your groups shrink.

I use the legs off old jeans filled with sand and closed with zip ties. Cheap and easy.
 
Great video! I enjoyed watching the whole thing. As SuperCub mentioned, to really test the accuracy of a rifle, you need to rest it on something. Sand bags are great but I find even a shooting bag, or a pile of wood blocks with padding on the top work just fine. I am always interested in what the rifle will do at 100 yards when resting on something. I've hunted and shot with a wide variety of old Winchesters and I got no problem with the half ####. I treat every rifle as if it were loaded and ready to let go so that half #### notch does just fine. Again, great video. Keep 'em coming. That is a fine old '94 just the way it is. Don't ever refinish it.
 
Haha-- just caught this video for the first time. I instantly recognized my home range. Great vid, well "produced" (seems that far too many you-tubers are using their shaking smartphone with poor audio these days).
Coincidentally I was just at this range with MY 1954 model 94, in 30-30. My sights were bang on. I was hitting the metal at the 400 (not consistent, mind you).
I find this gun so much fun because of its simplicity and tiny size.
 
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