What Should I Do? Pre-64 Win 94

[ancientnoob]

Hey guys what would you do?

I recently came to possess a wonderful Winchester 1894 .30-30 manufactured in 1942. I am not a hunter and do not really live in a place that is conducive to the wilderness lifestyle. I really don't think I could hunt even if I wanted to. I do not own a truck, I own a small Japanese sub compact sedan. I do not have a hunting license and I really have no desire to smoke an animal and dress it and stuff it in my Toyota, although I have been tempted a couple of times.

Well I got this rifle while looking for something new. I kind of wanted a lever gun to plink with but maybe this is not the best one to do that with. Its a lovely rifle with beautiful deep red walnut stocks, gorgeous bluing and came with a vintage scabbard. It was made in New Haven, CT which I am in walking distance of. I always new of the Winchesters but I guess I never realized that they are such huge collectors items. I was reading that this rifle maybe at least a little special being pre-1964 and being made between WW2 years, when production was being directed towards service weapons.

Admittedly, I do like this carbine with its 20" barrel it so easy to handle and carry but I wonder if you guys think this is something that will go up in value and worth a ton in the future or if this will just be some old(er) rifle and nothing special?

I was interested in the new Taylor & Company Alaskan take down in .357 mag. It's a pretty expensive gun MSRP is around $1300. I am wondering if you guys would just hold on to this Win 94 or if you would off load it for funds for a more practical plinking item. I guess I would be happy either way. I just feel a bit guilty because I will never use this for its true and intended purpose.

Thoughts?

 

[ExAgoradzo]

1. If you like the rifle and it is secure and you don’t need the money, then keep it. You don’t have to hunt with it.
2. If you are looking at it for an investment, I wouldn’t: not that kind of investment.
3. I have two rifles for sale at my LGS. I have purchased another and hope in the coming weeks to build my first AR. Someday I may sell that.
4. I really like my sons Marlin 1894 in 357 (I’m stewarding it for him from his gpa). Great gun, round, and it was the 19th Century’s AR. (That AK take down seems like a lot of money. If you are not already heavily invested in time, talent, and money in firearms, that is not the gun I would recommend first. Get a Marlin or Winchester 22 lever gun, for example.)
5. Don’t fret too much.

Greg

 

[film495]

sell it and use funds to get what you want. even if the buyer just wants it as a collectors item, someone who really wants it will have it. there are people out there who really really want those, especially if in good condition.

 

[jamesjames]

Keep it, not because of its monetary vale or what that might appreciate to, but because of its intrinsic value.

it’s an American classic rifle in a classic caliber. It’s from a manufacturing era where quality materials, tradition, and fit and finish mattered. It is the best ergonomically designed rifle ever. Whether its a safe queen, or a wall hanger, or a legacy to hand down to another generation, it’s a keeper.

If it doesn’t roll your socks up and down, find a younger generation family member who lives in a more rural area or has hunting or gun-enthusiast proclivities and give it to a worthy next-gen owner. It’s a powerful way to bind family and generations together and inspire a love of firearms and investment in the 2A

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Interesting enough that it was built DURING WWII if your info is correct. Maybe merely *shipped* then.

Most certainly WILL go up in value if that matters to you.

Me? I am completely immune to Winchester Levergun lure and have sold every one I have ever had even if my intentions were other at one point or other. Too, .30-30 has always been the easiest for me to sell. In good fortune, almost every one I have sold has preceded the sudden appearance of something I've wanted for quite some time so the cash transfers have usually been quick and mitigate any seller's remorse.

Additionally, I get twitchy whenever I have 3 around out of fear of Lugeritus where too many of a gun drags one into *collecting* inadvertently.

Todd.

 

[ancientnoob]

Interesting enough that it was built DURING WWII if your info is correct. Maybe merely *shipped* then.

Most certainly WILL go up in value if that matters to you.

Me? I am completely immune to Winchester Levergun lure and have sold every one I have ever had even if my intentions were other at one point or other. Too, .30-30 has always been the easiest for me to sell. In good fortune, almost every one I have sold has preceded the sudden appearance of something I've wanted for quite some time so the cash transfers have usually been quick and mitigate any seller's remorse.

Additionally, I get twitchy whenever I have 3 around out of fear of Lugeritus where too many of a gun drags one into *collecting* inadvertently.

Todd.

Interesting take Todd, thanks bro.
BTW I used this website to get the possible manufacturing date, weather it was actually made or shipped in that year I don’t know for sure.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

You should sell it to a Winchester collector.

 

[tark]

Winchester made hundreds of thousands of 94s by 1942. Unless the rifle has special or unusual features, as manufactured by Winchester, it really isn't very interesting to a collector. There are just too many of them out there, I'm afraid. And of course, the gun must adhere to the two golden rules: Originality and condition. Both are self explanatory.

Shoot the snot out of it.

 

[Olon]

Hey guys what would you do?

I recently came to possess a wonderful Winchester 1894 .30-30 manufactured in 1942. I am not a hunter and do not really live in a place that is conducive to the wilderness lifestyle. I really don't think I could hunt even if I wanted to. I do not own a truck, I own a small Japanese sub compact sedan. I do not have a hunting license and I really have no desire to smoke an animal and dress it and stuff it in my Toyota, although I have been tempted a couple of times.

Well I got this rifle while looking for something new. I kind of wanted a lever gun to plink with but maybe this is not the best one to do that with. Its a lovely rifle with beautiful deep red walnut stocks, gorgeous bluing and came with a vintage scabbard. It was made in New Haven, CT which I am in walking distance of. I always new of the Winchesters but I guess I never realized that they are such huge collectors items. I was reading that this rifle maybe at least a little special being pre-1964 and being made between WW2 years, when production was being directed towards service weapons.

Admittedly, I do like this carbine with its 20" barrel it so easy to handle and carry but I wonder if you guys think this is something that will go up in value and worth a ton in the future or if this will just be some old(er) rifle and nothing special?

I was interested in the new Taylor & Company Alaskan take down in .357 mag. It's a pretty expensive gun MSRP is around $1300. I am wondering if you guys would just hold on to this Win 94 or if you would off load it for funds for a more practical plinking item. I guess I would be happy either way. I just feel a bit guilty because I will never use this for its true and intended purpose.

Thoughts?

Dont think about what it "should" be used for. If you get rid of it, are you going to miss it? Or does it sit in the safe and you don't notice is presence or absence?

If it were me, I'd keep it if I didn't need the money for something new. I dont really sell guns. But it's a very personal choice and it comes down to what your values are and your perceived value of the gun.

 

[Laphroaig]

I voted to sell it, for a couple of reasons.

First, it sounds like you would rather have another firearm. Why put this one in the back of your safe? The proceeds can be used to get that now, and enjoy it.

Second, to expect it to increase in value might not be a good bet. I think that firearms demographics are changing. Collectors are mostly baby boomers who grew up hunting and shooting, and appreciate firearms in general. I'm not sure that feeling is carried by the younger generation. There were something like 7 1/2 million 94's made, so it isn't rare by any means. Hunting numbers are down and when I look around at the shooting activities that I attend, its mostly people over 50. As a hunting weapon, it certainly is nostalgic; I began my hunting career with a M94, and have pulled it out of the safe on a couple of occasions for doe hunting. But there are better choices today, namely scoped bolt actions.

 

[BSA1]

The Winchester 30-30 was considered to be America’s gun for many decades. It has now been replaced by the AR-15. With that said the thurty-thurty is still a popular cartridge. The late Jeff Cooper considered a lever action 30-30 as a good urban defense gun. He liked it’s lightweight, simple to operate action, simple to load, widespread availability of ammunition and able to store in a corner with magazine full and chamber empty as big advantages especially when used by women.

Collecting guns is a whole other world. It seems when questions about selling it or keeping it the gun suddenly becomes a collectable. If you live in a State that is trying to ban ownership of semi-auto firearms your Winchester may be a valuable gun to keep.

As a dreaded “p*****” I feel a Winchester 30-30 Is a necessary gun to have. Given the reasons you cite I would sell it.

 

[243winxb]

Average M94s sell for around $400 at auction. The NRA museum has serial numbers.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/tell-me-about-the-winchester-94-please.385433/

 

[entropy]

I just gave mine to my son, made between 43-45.
See if you can trade the '94 for the Taylor Alaskan.

 

[redneck2]

I got weary of having a bunch of guns just to have a bunch of guns. Most all of them have gone away and I don’t miss them a bit. Mine have to be accurate, and I must be eager and willing to pull them out and shoot them, or they’re basically a useless chuck of wood and steel

My money was used to buy a few guns that are all quite accurate and have excellent glass. I’d rather have six rifles like that than a couple dozen inaccurate rifles with crap glass

The two that I use the most are a little Buckmark .22 and a super accurate CZ .22 453 varminter with an expensive scope

 

[ancientnoob]

Collecting guns is a whole other world. It seems when questions about selling it or keeping it the gun suddenly becomes a collectable. If you live in a State that is trying to ban ownership of semi-auto firearms your Winchester may be a valuable gun to keep.

As a dreaded “p*****” I feel a Winchester 30-30 Is a necessary gun to have. Given the reasons you cite I would sell it.

Interesting take as well. My state is trying to out law anything that is painted black.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would hang on to it unless you need the money for another firearm. At the very least you need to shoot it before deciding one way or the other.

 

[someguy2800]

Life is too short to hang onto something you don’t really like just because it might be worth $100 more dollars 10 years from now. Sell it and get what you really want.

 

[ancientnoob]

Life is too short to hang onto something you don’t really like just because it might be worth $100 more dollars 10 years from now. Sell it and get what you really want.

Ah it would be easy if I didn’t like it. Don’t get me wrong it’s beautiful, handy and functional. I fine firearm.

 

[someguy2800]

Ah it would be easy if I didn’t like it. Don’t get me wrong it’s beautiful, handy and functional. I fine firearm.

People don’t start threads on the internet asking if they should sell the things they like. You can appreciate it’s as a fine firearm but that doesn’t mean you need to own it.

 

[ancientnoob]

People don’t start threads on the internet asking if they should sell the things they like. You can appreciate it’s as a fine firearm but that doesn’t mean you need to own it.

Let this one be the first. I only NEED one gun all others are just wants.

 

[Skeptic13]

I voted to keep it but the fact of the matter is if you don't have an interest in older firearms either as something to collect or something to shoot and enjoy then sell it. No need to keep something in the safe that you will not use and enjoy.

 

[Musicianized]

I would at least sell it and buy a JM Marlin 30-30.. =)

 

[Newtosavage]

If you're asking me, you're asking the wrong guy. LOL My first "deer rifle" was a pre-64 Win 94 that I still own 35 years later. Yours sounds even nicer than the one I own. I would never suggest a guy get rid of a minty pre-64 94. Ever. Even if you aren't crazy about it, chances are someone will come into your life who will be. They are absolute classic firearms. As American as they come. I say keep it. It's not taking up much space, you'll never get what it's truly worth, and you'll likely never get another one like it if you do change your mind someday.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I guess that I should check on the build dates of my old Win 94 rifle and carbine - I never really thought about that before.
I'd say to keep it - but then again, I say that about almost all guns... .

 

[ancientnoob]

If you're asking me, you're asking the wrong guy. LOL My first "deer rifle" was a pre-64 Win 94 that I still own 35 years later. Yours sounds even nicer than the one I own. I would never suggest a guy get rid of a minty pre-64 94. Ever. Even if you aren't crazy about it, chances are someone will come into your life who will be. They are absolute classic firearms. As American as they come. I say keep it. It's not taking up much space, you'll never get what it's truly worth, and you'll likely never get another one like it if you do change your mind someday.

Best argument I have heard so far. Thanks man!