What's a good deal on a 1977 Winchester 94 in .30-30?

[pharmseller]

I have a line on a 1977 vintage Winchester model 94 .30-30. I already have one, but they're like potato chips...
The pics show very little wear and good to very good wood. No pics of the action or bore so that's the question mark. The owner claims to be the second owner and he's never shot it.
Factory sights and no butt pad.
He's asking $300 firm, FTF.

What do y'all think?


P

[geobru]

From what I have seen here locally, that is a fair price. I recently picked up a pre 64 for $300. It was cosmetically challenged, but turned out to be a good shooter. The few post 64s that I have seen here that were in good condition ranged from 325 to 375. If the bore is good, I'd say go for it.

[J Miller]

I'd buy it at that price, but I'd like to have at least a 3 day inspection period if it's being bought from out of state.

Joe

[Borregos]

Sounds like a good buy to me

[surveyor527]

No way to shoot it before you buy? It's likely o.k., and priced fair. I'd bring bore-scrubber & patches along just in case. If that offends him, buy a different rifle.

[86er]

Based on your title and before I read the message body I was thinking "If it's in good condition $300 or less would be a good deal".

[Sixgun]

$300 for a Japanese '94??!! (I know, they are not made in Japan but we collectors call them "Japanese Winchesters" because they rattle and look cheap.

Personally, I would not pay more than a hundred dollars for one as they are as common as Carters Liver Pills around here. $300 is what I will pay for a very nice post war/pre-64 94, except if it's in 25-35-------------------Sixgun

[John in MS]

"$300 for a Japanese '94??!! (I know, they are not made in Japan but we collectors call them "Japanese Winchesters" because they rattle and look cheap."

Mine shoots 1.78" average off the bench for 5, 3-shot groups at 100; smallest group was 0.59".
Very little load development and no accuracy work. I didn't bother to try to improve on that.

They work, just fine, and are a heck of a lot nicer than the stuff Winchester pumped out near the end!

So, when you find some of these in decent shape for $100, please let me know where, as I'd like to buy all you can find!

John

[Hobie]

That is a good price for a pre-safety pre-rebounding hammer M94. They often go for $350-400 around here.

[rangerider7]

They are not for me. Save up and get a pre 64, it's worth it.

[Sixgun]

Mine shoots 1.78" average off the bench for 5, 3-shot groups at 100; smallest group was 0.59".
Very little load development and no accuracy work.
They work, just fine, and are a heck of a lot nicer than the stuff Winchester pumped out near the end!

John,
I did not say they were inaccurate or unreliable--I said they are as common as Carter's liver Pills around here. I also said the most I would pay is $100 as the most I could sell it for would be about $50 more than that, as these guns are all over the place around here for $150-$225.

Nice post war/pre-64's 30-30's seldom sell for more than $400. I've been in this levergun/gun game for the better part of 40 years and I am proud to admit that the S.E. corner of Pennsylvania is the best place in the country for finding nice guns in nice condition-----and lots of them!

This is Pennsylvania where most everyone is a hunter and most hunters here use their guns on a one time basis once a year. The rest of the time they sit is closets. I'm still picking up 50-125 year old guns in excellent condition that have been in the same family since they were new.

Stop up this way and I'll show you around. ---------------------Sixgun

[J Miller]

Sixgun,

Out west we use them to death, and when found in like new condition most folks wet themselves in excitement.
If you had seen me when I found my 1950 several years ago you would have laughed yourself to tears.
I don't think my wife has seen me that excited in 10 years.

If I really wanted a post-64 Win 94 I'd pay the three C notes if it was in good shape. Sometimes it's just cheaper to pay a bit more than drive to your house and get the grand tour .

Joe

[Blaine]

What do y'all think?

Well, I think you should sell me that 94 Trapper 357 you have for 300$ and then you wouldn't really be spending anything on the new 94 you're looking at......

[Sixgun]

Sixgun,

Out west we use them to death, and when found in like new condition most folks wet themselves in excitement.
If you had seen me when I found my 1950 several years ago you would have laughed yourself to tears.
I don't think my wife has seen me that excited in 10 years.

If I really wanted a post-64 Win 94 I'd pay the three C notes if it was in good shape. Sometimes it's just cheaper to pay a bit more than drive to your house and get the grand tour .

Joe

Joe, Post-64's are so common, I don't even give them a second look. Keep in mind that I see a lot more guns than the average guy. There was a least a half doz. or more at the last show in Lebanon. There was also a NIB Cowboy Commerative in 30-30 for 5 c-notes. It sat there as nobody wanted it.

Your 1950 '94 has the long forend and is collectable & desirable. To me, 94's made before 1952 are the only ones that interest me. ------------------Sixgun