Winchester Model 94 Pre-64

[Blondie]

Hello all,

This is my first post on The High Road.

My question is about a pre-64 Winchester Model 94 (my first centerfire rifle). I went and shot it today, and it was real accurate. But when I was loading up the cartridges, I scratched the loading port blueing. So my question is, do most people who buy these pre-64 Winchesters keep them for collecting reasons, or do they shoot them anyways (even if it was in 95-98% condition). Now, I guess I'll just keep shooting it by putting the cartridges in the top and shooting one at a time rather than to scratch that port any more. I guess I'm just worried about messing up a nice gun that might be colllectable one day.

Thanks for all your opinions,

Blondie
"In this world there are two kinds of people, those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig."

 

[robertbank]

Millions of them were made might be awhile before they become a collectors item. Go ahead and shoot it and enjoy your gun, your grand-kids will only sell it anyway. LOL

My 30-30 made in the 70's will shoot your eyes out at 100 yards and haven't noticed fit and function much different than my pre-64 gun.

Take Care

 

[Coltdriver]

I would say you can roughly put collectables into two classes.

The first is pristine, unfired, never used except to look at. People that collect these are usually collecting lots of guns like these. There are hundreds of variants on commerative model 94's. If they get shot once, they pretty much fall to used gun value.

The second is genuinely rare or unusual. The reasons the gun is rare may be from small production runs, very few left in good condition or having a documented history of use in a historic event.

There are of course other categories.

Is your pre 64 collectable or desirable? It depends on who is looking at it. Generally, the pre 64's have a greater value than post 64 models. But there were a lot of them made.

I have a 1949 Model 70. I get enormous enjoyment out of using it. Does it degrade the value when it gets used? I don't care, I bought it to shoot it and I am not a collector.

So I'd say use your rifle and don't worry about the character you add to it by using it. You are not going to affect the value of it at this point unless you abuse it. Ten years from now it will be worth a heck of a lot more, used or not and you will have the benefit of enjoyment in the meantime.

 

[HPJeep]

I'd shoot it and enjoy it. Dad is a huge Winchester lever gun collector and has some rare and valuable guns. We shoot them all and enjoy them if he is able to reload for some of the obsolete calibers. Out of all of the Pre 64 lever guns the model 94 is the one they made the most of. Millions of 94s were made and they have lower collectible prices versus others except for special orders, trappers, mint early production guns, etc. If yours was in 100% condition and you scratched the loading gate it is unfortunate but not to worry. Most collectors know the loading gate will have scratches. Collectors look for originality and rebluing the loading gate is not a good idea. Just be careful when shooting and have fun with it.

 

[TrafficMan]

shoot it! i have one and enjoy shooting it.