Winchester 94 value/desirability

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I'm trading one of my guns for a deer rifle. My two choices from the same person are either:

1978 Winchester 94, 30-30
1943 - 1947 Winchester 94, Flat band, 30-30

This will be a deer gun for Wisconsin whitetails, not a safe queen. Both rifles would be an even trade +/- $20-$40.

the 1940s gun... I know the pre-64 is a more desirable and costly rifle, but it is missing the rear sight and has an aftermarket peep sight. It has also been drilled for a side-mounted scope and has screws where the rail would have been. The gentleman I'm trading with was upfront and said it was basically an $800 gun that's worth about $450 with the modifications. Condition is probably 90% +/- the modifications.

This is what the gentleman said about it:
"great shape but some one took off the rear site and put on a williams peep site. Also hade a scope mount on the site and drilled 3 small holes now has 3 little screws fillin g them. They did a very neat job and I bought the gun with out even seeing them."

The other choice is the 1978... good bluing, great wood, great bore, no modifications. Pretty standard 94 that has been hunted and used, but not abused.

My question is which to pick when we meet for the trade next week. Is a pre-64 that much better? Or should I take a better condition 1970s rifle? All I know is I wanted a Winchester 94, was offered one or the other in trade, and now have no idea which one I should pick.

That is assuming they both look good and are about the same condition, minus the aforementioned defects in the 1940s rifle.
 
Me too!

Winchesters made in the 70's are a bit more iffy. Wnchester let quality slip some, although not as bad as some think in 1964. By 1980-81 they were bought out by a group of investors and a lot more emphasis was placed on quality, at least up until around 2000 or so.

The 1978 gun may be a gem and a great shooter, but the chances of getting a bad one from that era are a little greater. If you are going to use it the modifications on the older one don't hurt a thing. In fact the peep sight is an improvement I'd prefer anyway.
 
I think I would go with the older '40's gun; just some cosmetic issues with all the different mounting configurations that have been tried on it. I just think the older model Winchesters are probably better built than the later '70's models. Lots of cost cutting measures being implemented and some loss of overall quality along with fit and finish.
 
older one ever time even with the mods, agreed on the peep being an improvement if you plan on hunting with it.
 
Thanks for the responses so far! I've seen photos of the 1978, and not the 1940s, so I'm hoping the 40s is in good shape.

I'm leaning toward the older at this point based on the quality comments.
 
Sorry but I'd leave the pre-`64 where I found it. Those holes for the side scope mount would make me sick every time I looked at it. The `78 model should be a fine shooter.
 
I have a '76 that is a great shooter. I'd go with the one you like better....Older isn't necessarily always better.
 
By 1978 Winchester 94's were pretty decent rifles again. While the peep sight on the older 94 is a better sight, I have to agree with Craig C. I wouldn't want those holes drilled in the side of the receiver. They completely wreck any collector value the older rifle might have had and would bug me every time I looked at it. I'd probably go with the newer one. The newer 94 is factory drilled for the peep sight and I would recommend putting one on it. I have both a pre-war model 94 and a mid 70's model and although they are different, from strictly a shooter/user perspective (not subtleties of fit/finish/workmanship/materials) the older one isn't really any better than the newer. If I could only have one, I'd rather have a clean 70's model than a butchered-up pre 64.
 
If I could only have one, I'd rather have a clean 70's model than a butchered-up pre 64.
Click to expand...
That pretty much sums it up for me.

Don't get me wrong folks, the pre-`64 94's and 1894's are wonderful rifles. I have a 1901 vintage .30WCF that has that magical appeal of rifles its age. I can live with the barrel being shortened to 20" and the swivel studs, which is why it was $500 instead of $1200 but holes in the receiver for a side scope mount would've ruined it for me.

Coyote%2002.jpg
 
Nice rifle, cool picture. I would have bought your rifle for $500 in a heart beat too. When rifles start getting near that 100 year mark or are rare examples, some discrepancies can be overlooked and allowances made, if the price is right, to get a great old rifle that just oozes nostalgia. I just missed a chance at a cheap 1873 .44/40 with a good bore that someone long, long ago had cut off about 6 inches of the barrel. However, a 1947 model 94 just isn't that old or rare to overlook scope mount holes in the receiver, at least for me.
 
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Grab the older and use that Williams sight. They're the single best thing you can do to a Winchester for the Wisconsin woods.
 
I own a 1906 Saddle Carbine in .32 Win. Spl. and two early 70's. On the older gun check your rifling with a bore scope and make sure it's in good condition, a lot of older Winchester's saw heavy use.
 
I have a 1976 Model that I love and will never get rid of. Maybe I got lucky on the quality, never had any issues and it's a shooter. I have a Williams Peep on mine.

I agree with the majority, get the older one. I wish I was in a position to get that one.
Plus it already has a peep sight, which to me is a bonus.
 
Im no expert but i believe the only pre'64 Winchester's that are more desirable are the model 70 rifles because they we're CRF actions pre 1964 and push feed actions for quite some time post 1964. Anyway, i'd go with the newer 94 simply because it hasn't been altered like the older one. I know you're looking for a hunting rifle, not a collector piece, but that pre'64 will probably only depreciate in value while the newer one will probably gain value as long as it stays in stock form. But again, im no expert lol! I'd get the newer one. Good luck and post a pic when you decide.

Cory
 
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The peep sight will allow more accurate shooting. The drawback to most lever guns is the buckhorn rear sight which is barrel-mounted. The peep sight is more precise and provides a much longer sight radius. Turns a 150-yard gun into a 200- or 250-yard gun.
 
That pretty much sums it up for me.

Don't get me wrong folks, the pre-`64 94's and 1894's are wonderful rifles. I have a 1901 vintage .30WCF that has that magical appeal of rifles its age. I can live with the barrel being shortened to 20" and the swivel studs, which is why it was $500 instead of $1200 but holes in the receiver for a side scope mount would've ruined it for me.

How is the rear peep sight mounted on the reciever? Did it require drilling a new hole for it?
 
CraigC - Thanks for posting that. There are very apparent (to me) differences between pre and post-64 guns.

I guess my choice will ultimately be on the better condition barrel, with overall condition the other major consideration.

I'm tentatively meeting for the trade on Tuesday and will be sure to post a couple photos of whichever rifle I take home.
 
Go with the one that you like. Personally I would go with the newer one for the simple reason that the pre 64 has lost any collector value when they canned the rear sight for the peep and drilled the receiver. As for quality of the 70's gun? It will probably still be going after you are dead and gone.
 
Older. I would put a peep (or low power scope) on the newer one anyway. I can still shoot a little with a peep, buckhorn...not so much.
 
Are you sure the holes in the side of the Pre-64 arent the facory drilled holes? My pre-64 has tapped holes in the side that are plugged, from the factory.
 
Are you sure the holes in the side of the Pre-64 arent the facory drilled holes? My pre-64 has tapped holes in the side that are plugged, from the factory.
Click to expand...

I have no idea, personally. I just know that the guy said they're not original and went as far as saying they decreased the value by about half.
 
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