"W.E.G.
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Join Date: September 26, 2006
Location: all over Virginia
Posts: 4,056
"Pre-64" Winchester Model 94 30-30 -- so what?
I notice several Model 94's listed on Gunbroker as "Pre-64."
So what?
I know the Pre-64 BOLT-ACTION Winchester Model 70 is much-desired due to disliked design-changes that occurred in 1965.
Does the LEVER-ACTION Model 94 also have changes that occurred in 1965 which would make the Pre-64 guns per se more desireable?
As an aside, anybody care to hazard a guess on the value of a 1968 Model 94, that has been receiver-drilled for a scope mount, and is in generally good (definitely not very good, or excellent) condition?"
old thread, but good point- looking over a 1990's model 94, it appears that Winchester backpedaled on many of the Olin-era quality changes later on. The link plate in front of the lever once again hinges on a pin, not a screw- and the screw in the bottom of the plate visible from the bottom is there again, just like the pre-64. Opening the action, the shell carrier is once again a forged piece that was obviously heat treated because it's a dark color- and the gun has solid roll pins in it again. But it has a somewhat odd looking, cumbersome crossbolt safety that makes the hammer bounce back when dry firing it. Anyway I think that Winchester got so many complaints during the 1970-80's, they said "oops" and made the guns better later in the 1990's.
It's too late now, because the model 94 is by-by, it's market share was gobbled up by the Henry, Marlin, Ruger, the high end Browning, and the Italian import replicas like Uberti. There's just not enough market for a Winchester lever gun to make a decent profit right now.
they'll bring it back someday though, watch and see, and they will sell again- the brand has a lot of market recognition and virtually invented the lever action rifle as we know it, they'll wait a while then bring out a limited edition with a high price- if they can get the costs down while still making them in USA, we'll see lever action Winchesters again
just not in the present economy