![]() ![]() But despite these changes, performance wasn’t adversely affected, and I’ve seen used 1970s–1980s specimens run from $1,000 to $1,200 or slightly higher depending on condition. In ’64 the company replaced billet forged receivers with sintered ones and cut corners on smaller parts like using stamped cartridge lifters. Obviously, pre-1964 Model 94s in good shape command a premium. × What Are They Worth Today Miller modified his Model 94, built in 1964, with a Lyman receiver sight along with a Skinner front post, which is hidden beneath the sight hood. So how about the older rifle’s well-worn 19th-century patina? Well, you don’t have to be an originalist to agree that it’s just fine “as is.” I’ve seen similar specimens on the auction block bring $1,700 to $2,000-sometimes more. As is, value-wise it’s worth somewhere north of $700 and south of $1,000. I think a rebluing on this one may be in order. This particular carbine had done serious downtime in someone’s garage before I acquired it, and it sported some “freckling” as a result. The rifle’s trigger, although four ounces heavier than that of the carbine, was a bit more crisp, exhibiting less takeup. It had just enough take-up and creep to keep it well out of the “breaking icicle” class of cliche, but all in all, not bad. Model 94s have never been renowned for varmint-rifle triggers, but the carbine was a quite manageable 2.5 pounds. ![]() While this may have dismayed me 20 or 30 years ago, I’m more than happy with it now. Groups at 50 yards ran around two inches. Shooting the octagonal barrel, 1897 rifle version and its buckhorn sights was a bit more challenging. Things also improved considerably when I unscrewed the small aperture and shot it as a ghost ring. Groups at 50 yards with the Lyman sighted carbine and brass Skinner blade ran from just under an inch to around an inch and a half. Many shooters, me included, prefer to set a target on top of a post instead of using a bead that can subtend too much of the target. I didn’t mess with the rifle’s buckhorn sights, but on the carbine I installed a Lyman 66A receiver sight and paired it with a Skinner Sights flat-top post front sight that replaced the original bead front. My carbine, having enjoyed the advantages of over half a century of metallurgical improvement, happily digested the latest in current loads including Winchester Super-X 150-grain, Federal Hammer Down 150-grain, Hornady Full Boar 140-grain Monoflex, Hornady 160-grain FTX and Buffalo Bore 190-grain Heavy jacketed flatnose. And that-along with the fact that it weighs nearly a pound and a half more than the shorter carbine-made shooting with that steel crescent buttplate actually more pleasant than shooting the carbine’s “kinder and gentler” shotgun-style buttplate. 30 WCF load in vogue when the rifle was made. That was fairly close ballistically to the original 160-grain/1,970 fps. In deference to its age, I shot the rifle with Hornady Custom Lite 150-grain InterLocks, which clocked 2,100 fps. It could also be had with a round barrel in 24-inch length as well as in takedown configuration. 30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire), as the cartridge was then known. During its 1894-98 production run, it was chambered to. The carbine was of 1964 vintage, and I was able to shoot it alongside an 1897-vintage 26-inch octagonal barreled rifle. (RifleShooter photo) 1964 VIntage Model 94 The 1897-vintage Model 1894 rifle was chambered to many cartridges. When you stop to consider the production lifespan of most hunting rifles, this in itself is something beyond remarkable. I recently had the opportunity to shoot two versions of Winchester’s classic that were made 67 years apart. But it’s easy to forget there were different variations of the Model 94 platform that didn’t exactly fit the description of saddle gun. Most of us are familiar with the carbine version-20-inch barrel, full- length magazine, 6.5-pound weight. Designed by John Browning, it was the first smokeless “high powered” American sporting rifle, with more than 7.5 million made. The Model 94’s credentials need nothing in the way of embellishment. After a couple of years with a 336 Marlin, I finally laid hold of a Model 94 and fell instantly in love with its slimmer, sexier lines. No knock on Marlin, but say “deer rifle” and most folks will envision Winchester’s ubiquitous straight-gripped carbine Model 94. ![]()
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