Little help on a Winchester 94

[HEAD0001]

I need a little help on a Winchester 94. I am looking for the date of mfr. for serial #: 4083284. Cartridge is 30-30. Thanks, Tom.

[salvo]

Looks like 1974
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm

[HEAD0001]

Can some one tell me a little bit about the rifle. The receiver actually looks like it is made out of good steel. But the butt plate is plastic. Tom.

[BenT]

If it was made in 1974 . The receiver is iron plated to take a bluing. It should still have the old style flat hammer spring. The trigger pull should be quite decent.

[shawn_c992001]

IF the bore is in good shape, and the trigger pull is good, it should be a good shooter, or project gun.

[Pete44ru]

Generally, Model 94'smade between 1965 & 1971 are referred to as "post 64's", and are not as desireable due to the 1964 changes to substituting stamped parts, like the shell carrier/lifter, for parts previously machined - and using roll pins, etc.

In 1971, after myriad complaints, Winchester upgraded the M-94 to use a cast carrier/lifter (look for the mold seam in it's middle, inline w/the bore), and better action pins.

IIRC, your gun should also be pre-rebounding hammer, etc - and of course it's "pre-safety" (except for the lever safety that's been there forever).

You should be able to swap in a steel buttplate, should you want.

I can't tell you, if some prior owner/user took target practice with it inside some convenience store or gas station, though.

[HEAD0001]

The bore is in perfect shape, and the trigger is a good one. There is no wear what so ever on the lever, the hammer, and the sides of the frame that the bolt slides on. I does have some small surface rust on the barrel and lever, but there is no rust on the receiver.It has a scope base on the side, so I do not know if it is drilled and tapped. I have a chance to pick this rifle up, I was just wondering about it, and what a good price would be?? It belongs to a good friend. I do not want to rip him off, but I also want to get a good deal?? Tom.

[Pete44ru]

I swapped a $650 Russell Model 25 Trapper for a ca. 1978 M-94 Trapper that was tagged @ $550, even, last Fall - but Trappers are a little harder to come by than a 20" carbine.

In my part of the country, if the side is D/T'd, it's a $250 gun IMHO, about +/- $350 if it's not.

[Griff]

I used to pick these up for $100-150, but... nowadays if they're in good shape they're easily $400-600, again, depending on condition. A little bronze wool on that barrel rust and some cold blue and you'll never know it was there. If the scope side mound has three screws, two in the rear and one up front, it's likely the "drilless" type, and the only downside could be dirt and other crude under the mount. If it has four screws, the receiver's been drilled and tapped. That still doesn't ruin it as far a being a shooter goes, but... does mean you either weld it up and refinish, or just plug the holes, unless you leave it scoped.

Good luck with your new carbine. Fill us in with a range report.