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Post by papacharlie on Nov 2, 2019 16:51:11 GMT -5
Hello all, I spend my last Saturday wondering the Pawn Shops around my area. Most times, I find nothing but on rare occasions I find something special. This last week end I found a Winchester 94 built in 1909. It is a saddle gun, .30-30 saddle gun. There are some issues but I am always drawn to the lever actions. This one had the following issues.
1) The main spring is gone.
2) Mag tube has a dent in it, not sure if it would restrict the movement of of .30-30 round.
3) When I opened the action, the lever moved pretty freely from side to side. Not sure if this is because the main spring is gone or they parts are just very loose or both.
4) The saddle ring is gone.
5) The action and barrel exterior looked to be in fair condition for a rifle that is 110 years old.
6) Furniture also looked pretty good but in bad need of a refinishing job.
They are asking $400 for it. I think, not knowing what else I may find it is worth maybe $200. I have this thought that when I retire I may start to hunt again. But I wonder. For that reason, I think about why get a .30-30, why not a 45 LC or something like. Of course in the back of my mind I would love to have a .45-70.
Can you hunt with a 45 LC out of a long gun?
What are your thoughts?
If I had the capability, I would purchase many different guns. But I don't. I ultimately will make a decision and it will most likely end up in multiple guns. Not a bad thing but I love to hear different thoughts. It helps me clear through the would likes and the would haves.
Thanks in advance, very much appreciate your input and the dialog that follows. Patrick
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Post by wheelguns on Nov 2, 2019 17:38:55 GMT -5
I sure hope you can hunt with a .45c lever gun! I got one for the purpose of deer hunting. Actually, it comes down to the rules and regulations of the state you plan to hunt in. I live in Delaware, and up until a couple years ago, it was strictly shotguns only. First they began with a handgun season, then they allowed handguns during shotgun season, and then they allowed pistol caliber rifles. The calibers are restricted to basically 357, and 41 mag to 50 s&w. Of course it is written by lawyers, so it is a little confusing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2019 18:47:59 GMT -5
(Desperately trying to retrieve information from ancient memory banks) I think you'd be happier with a different caliber than 45 Colt in an 1894. There have been numerous issues in the past with the diameter of the rather skimpy 45 Colt case rim. For instance, I've seen older double-action revolvers factory chambered 45 Colt that could allow the extractor star to jump over 45 Colt case rims, often times tying up the gun until everything could be sorted out. I do realize that the '94 uses a single extractor that would clip to the rim of the case, but in some ways that's even less "purchase" on the rim for extraction. I'd suggest something with a larger case rim in comparison to the case body.
If you'd be starting with a 30/30 caliber rifle, the 38-55, or something similar seems like a likely option (for example). I'm not in favor of a 44 magnum for a project like this because of the chamber pressures involved vs the metallurgy of the early 20th Century. Besides, 44 mag. in lever actions generally have obnoxious recoil, So my suggestion is something based on the 30-30 case, and there are plenty of choices to pick from. Ed Harris for example has a 35-30 that he's enjoying. There are also lower pressure wildcats based on the 356 Winchester case that seem feasible at first glance as well. Mike Bellm at Bellms TCs may be the guy to contact if you're interested in going in that direction.
Just a few suggestions.
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Post by grandpa on Nov 19, 2019 13:53:15 GMT -5
Pistol cartridges, like the .45 Colt, don't work well in the 1894 Winchester action because it was designed for longer, rifle cartridges. The 1892 Winchester and it's clones like the Rossi and Miroku work much better as does the 1894 Marlin. If the .45 Colt is legal in your state it would be a good deer cartridge if you use the right load and don't try to make long range shots.
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rWt
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,438
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Post by rWt on Nov 19, 2019 14:52:52 GMT -5
There are numerous choices, which is always good news and bad.
I have found that my eye sight has gotten to the point where I cannot use iron sights-not even aperture sights, which is my preference. Thus, a firearm that can accommodate a scope is important to me. That takes me to a Marlin. If you go on the Marlin forum you will learn that plenty of deer have been taken with an 1894 in 44 Mag and 45 Colt. Some will tell you that the .357 will work also. You have to know the limits of the calibers, the effective distances they will work, how that fits your usual hunting situation and any limitations that you bring to the party also.
Some will tell you that they use a Winchester 94 in pistol calibers just fine. Others have had problems.
I have gone back and forth on this and have settled on the 30-30 for hunting with lever actions where rifle cartridges are permitted. In states that have straight wall case restriction areas, I'd go with the 44 magnum or 45 Colt.
If your eyes are good, the 1892 clones or reproductions are very handy rifles. I especially like the Browning B92, but it can be hard to find and pricey when you find it.
Another consideration is the safety. Are you good with the half-cock notch, or would you prefer to have a manual safety of some type and possibly a rebounding hammer, which is on the current Winchester 1892's, I believe.
Lot's of choices. Good luck!
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Post by taffin on Nov 19, 2019 16:19:14 GMT -5
Pistol cartridges, like the .45 Colt, don't work well in the 1894 Winchester action because it was designed for longer, rifle cartridges. The 1892 Winchester and it's clones like the Rossi and Miroku work much better as does the 1894 Marlin. If the .45 Colt is legal in your state it would be a good deer cartridge if you use the right load and don't try to make long range shots. I HAVE THREE 1894 .45 COLT WINCHESTERS AS WELL AS TWO .44 MAGNUMS. NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER AND THEY ALSO FEED LOADS WITH LONGER BULLETS THAN WILL THE 1892. |
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Post by taffin on Nov 19, 2019 16:22:37 GMT -5
Hello all, I spend my last Saturday wondering the Pawn Shops around my area. Most times, I find nothing but on rare occasions I find something special. This last week end I found a Winchester 94 built in 1909. It is a saddle gun, .30-30 saddle gun. There are some issues but I am always drawn to the lever actions. This one had the following issues. 1) The main spring is gone.
2) Mag tube has a dent in it, not sure if it would restrict the movement of of .30-30 round.
3) When I opened the action, the lever moved pretty freely from side to side. Not sure if this is because the main spring is gone or they parts are just very loose or both.
4) The saddle ring is gone.
5) The action and barrel exterior looked to be in fair condition for a rifle that is 110 years old.
6) Furniture also looked pretty good but in bad need of a refinishing job. They are asking $400 for it. I think, not knowing what else I may find it is worth maybe $200. I have this thought that when I retire I may start to hunt again. But I wonder. For that reason, I think about why get a .30-30, why not a 45 LC or something like. Of course in the back of my mind I would love to have a .45-70.
Can you hunt with a 45 LC out of a long gun?
What are your thoughts? If I had the capability, I would purchase many different guns. But I don't. I ultimately will make a decision and it will most likely end up in multiple guns. Not a bad thing but I love to hear different thoughts. It helps me clear through the would likes and the would haves. Thanks in advance, very much appreciate your input and the dialog that follows. Patrick
IF YOU PLAN TO HUNT FORGET THIS ONE AND GET ONE NEWER IN DECENT SHAPE. .45 COLT, .44 MAGNUM, .30-30 OR .38-55 ALL WORK WELL ESPECIALLY IF YOU RELOAD THE LATTER. .45-70 IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT MATTER (AS WELL AS .444 MARLIN). YOU WOULD NEED TO FIND A GOOD MARLIN OR HENRY. |
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Post by z1r on Nov 20, 2019 1:56:24 GMT -5
Ditto to both of Mr Taffin's posts. I have a 94 in 45 colt and it feeds every bit as good as my 92 does. Only real difference is that the 94 has a longer lever stroke so cycling isn't quite as fast. I can't testify to the 94 feeding longer bullets any better since 250's are the heaviest I've tried to date.
$400 for a pre-64 in that condition is too much! Lately, around here, very nice, shooter grade varieties have been selling for not too much more. As much as I like a variety of chamberings in my 94's, truth is, its hard to beat the old .30-30. My favorite was practically given to me by a good friend. It is a 1904 vintage that was originally an Octagon Barrel. It was rebarreled at some point with a 24" 64 barrel. I love it, handles like a dream, shoots like one too.
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