Crosseyed Bob wrote:Bought my first Winchester levergun today...couldn't pass it up. It's a mint condition - I mean like perfect - 94AE in 30-30, pre safety with a serial number of 5,605,xxx (1984?). I've got a safe full oof Marlins, so this is something of an event (I spoke to them about it, told them that they had a new little brother, and asked them not to pick on him...even though he's kind of funny looking). So the questions abound:
1) Who still has spare parts for sale?
2) What spares are essential?
3) Recommendations for a receiver sight (the receiver side is not drilled).
4) Would I be a philistine if I drilled the stock for a sling swivel? Alternatives?
5) Tips and tricks?
6) Essential upgrades, trigger parts, etc?
Be gentle with a Winchester virgin.
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Way to go on the price Bob, you did good.
Don't worry about the Marlins picking on the lone Winchester, they'll get along.
1) Who still has spare parts for sale?
>Browning for starts. They are the official Winchester parts source.
2) What spares are essential?
>None. In over 40 years of shooting Win 94s I've never broken or had break anything. I do keep a full set of screws, a firing pin, and a carrier spring on hand as well as some miscellaneous parts.
3) Recommendations for a receiver sight (the receiver side is not drilled).
>Williams makes a FP version called the 94 SE. It uses the two rear scope mount holes for mounting. Excellent sight. Much easier than drilling and tapping for a side mount sight.
4) Would I be a philistine if I drilled the stock for a sling swivel? Alternatives?
>Absolutely not. The rifle is a tool, you need to make it suite you. I've put sling swivel sets on Win 94s in the past. Just make sure you or whoever does it gets the stock hole drilled straight and centered, and don't use the silly while spacer. They just don't look right on a lever gun.
I think it's Dixie gun works that sells a sling that just slides over the rifle stock and barrel when you need and comes right off when you don't. Never bought one, but have been tempted.
5) Tips and tricks?
Keep the action clean and lubed. There are two places that are prone to wear: the finger lever pin in the bolt and the carrier screw(s). Pre 64s are the worst on this but post 64s (the AEs are the same as pre-64s) wear too.
Keep these areas lubed and it will live a long life. I also put a dab of sticky grease on the carrier where the springs rides.
6) Essential upgrades, trigger parts, etc?
>Trigger job with an action polishing and sear work. You can get those triggers down to a good serviceable weight, but it will take sear work and if you're not comfortable doing that a gunsmith familiar with the rebounding hammer action is mandatory. Also clean out the firing pin channel in the bolt and make sure there is no debris or burrs on anything.
And, feed it good ammo.
That's really about it.
Joe